Contact Cheryel Carpenter at 817-459-6404
November 19, 2004

The Star-Telegram 2004 Arlington Festival and Parade of Lights is Saturday, Dec. 4 in downtown Arlington. The festivities start at noon with an old-fashioned tree trimming in Knapp Heritage Park on Front Street.

At 4:30 p.m., the festival comes to life with live performances along Main Street by local arts and cultural groups. This year, holiday traditions such as strolling carolers, a hand bell choir and community band will join cultural performances from an Asian folk choir and a local ballet folklorico company.

At 5:30 p.m., a parade of lighted floats, bands and dancers will welcome Santa Claus. A spectacular laser light show, choreographed to music, will take place immediately following the parade on the west side of City Hall.

The Mount Olive Baptist Church Senior Choir will provide a backdrop for the lighting of the tree, which will immediately follow the laser light show. The 45-foot Michigan-grown Blue Spruce Christmas tree will be located in front of City Hall.

The Arlington Museum of Art and some downtown businesses will offer holiday entertainment well into the night, organizers say. The museum will host Santa, as well as arts and crafts activities. The Local Color Gallery and the Coffee Haus will feature acoustic music and art exhibits. Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue will host performances of a two-hour holiday musical at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Arlington Music Hall. Theatre Arlington presents "Miracle on 34th Street."

"We invite all of Arlington to be a part of the holiday tradition in downtown Arlington," said event Chairperson Paula Hightower-Pierson, noting that this year’s holiday event will be reflective of the community hosting it.