Eureka Springs Celebrates Christmas with Holiday Events

The Christmas season in Eureka Springs will offer locals and visitors alike a wide array of festive opportunities, including the following:

Eureka Springs Christmas Parade
The Eureka Springs Christmas Parade, sponsored and organized by the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Friday, Dec, 5 starting at 6 p.m.
The theme for this year's traditional Holiday of Lights Parade is "The Music and Magic of Santa's Workshop."

A parade "play-by-play" will be broadcast on local radio station KTHS 107.1 by Chamber President and CEO Jeff Feldman and on-air personality Linda Boyer. For details, e-mail debbie@eurekaspringschamber.com or call 253-8737 or (800) 6EUREKA.

Peace on Earth concert
The 6th annual John Two-Hawks Peace on Earth Christmas Concert will take place at the Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Heifer International. For details, go to www.johntwohawks.com or call (888) 790-9091 or 253-5826.

Museum ball & auction
Usher in the holiday season at the Basin Park Hotel Barefoot Ballroom on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the annual Eureka Springs Historical Museum fundraiser ball and silent auction.
A diverse selection of heavy hors d'oeuvres, desserts and wine are included in the ticket price of $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Music will be provided by the JM Combo.

This year's silent auction will offer an array of more than 100 items, including art works and gift certificates for area restaurants, services and lodging facilities.

Proceeds from the event will provide funding to support the needs and operations of the Museum, a 501c(3) non-profit corporation. For details, e-mail eshm999@sbcglobal.net or call 253-9417.

Passion play lights
The New Great Passion Play will continue its Christmas lights display each evening at 5 p.m. through Dec. 31. More than 100 lighted figures will be illuminated on the mile-long drive through the grounds.

Pine Mountain Theater
On Nov. 10, the Pine Mountain Theater began inserting A Season of Celebration into its music and comedy shows. The special performances are nightly, except Sunday, and will continue through Dec. 13.

Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down
The Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down Christmas show will perform nightly through Dec. 14.

Home for the Holidays Concert
Local musicians will perform at the Auditorium in the spirit of the season for a free night of holiday entertainment on Friday, Dec. 12. This year's musicians will include The Ariels and Friends, Catherine Reed, Santa Jones and his Reindeer, Jimmy Wells, Bill Ott and the Fabulous Hogscalders. For details, call 253-2586.

'Old-Fashioned Christmas' at AUD
The Ozarks Chorale will present its annual "Old-Fashioned Christmas" concert at the Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each for adults and free for persons 18 and younger. For details, go to www.theozarkschorale.org, or call 253- 7744.

Information courtesy of Lovely County Citizen

An Extraordinary Escape Awaits You in Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs is a unique destination that defines the term extraordinary in many distinctive ways. This vacation getaway is specatacular in many ways, and the following list is just a few reasons why visitors flock to the this sleepy Ozark Mountain town.

• Eureka Springs is the only city in America whose entire historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• One of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations (National Trust for Historic Preservation)

• A Top 25 Arts Destination in the U.S. (American Style Magazine 2007)

• Chosen to be in the book, "1,000 Places To See Before You Die"

• One of America’s Top 6 Getaway Destinations (Orbitz.com, 2007)

• A Top 5 Mountain Destination in U.S. (At Home Tennessee Magazine 2008)

• Best Weekend Getaway Destination (Citiscapes Magazine 2007)

• Best Place To Get Married (417 Magazine 2007)

• Favorite Arkansas Weekend Destination (e-Fort Smith Magazine 2007)

• 4th Best Architectural Achievement of the 20th Century, Thorncrown Chapel. (Architectural Institute of America. Following only Sears Tower, Empire State Building and Chrysler Tower)

• Most Romantic BnB in America, Mount Victoria Bed and Breakfast Inn (BedandBreakfast.com, 2007)

• World’s Largest Outdoor Drama, The New Great Passion Play

• World’s Largest Big Cat Sanctuary, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

• World’s Largest Tuned Wind Chime, Celestial Windz Harmonic Bizarre

• Largest Christ Statue in North America, Christ of the Ozarks

• Listed in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not 9 times!

• Zero stop lights, malls and mega-stores

• Award-winning restaurants

• We are known for our ghosts, too! Crescent Hotel was featured on the show “Ghosthunters” on the Discovery Channel. Other historic hotels and buildings downtown reputedly haunted as well. Several ghost tours available.

Information courtesy of Eureka Springs Advertising & Promotions Commission

Great Passion Play Lights Up Christmas

More than 100 drive-through light displays will glow in the Christmas Celebration at the New Great Passion Play Nov. 9 through Dec. 31.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 9-Dec. 15, at 5:30 and 7 p.m., a Christmas Music Show will feature The Texans and B.J. and Elizabeth. Seating is limited, and reservations may be obtained by calling 800-882-7529.

More than 100 nativity scenes will be on display at the Sacred Arts Gallery through Dec. 15, with group tours available by appointment.

Information courtesy of Carroll County News

Great Passion Play Production New for the 2008 Season

While the story of the last days of Jesus' life on Earth has not changed in 2,000 years, the way it's told has changed at The Great Passion Play.

This year, the play contains parables and text from different gospels in the New Testament, focusing on more miracles Christ performed in the days before His crucifixion and resurrection. Ninety percent of the scenes are new.

"Overall, our new script develops new elements in the character of Jesus,” said Rick Mann, artistic director and one of the actors who portrays Jesus. "It shows the impact of Jesus on the lives of Pontius Pilate's wife, the high priests' servant Malchus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in new and fuller ways, and returns to a focus on the miraculous life story of Jesus. "

"We strongly believe it will impact audiences in a way like never before,” he said. "It will bring them back to The New Great Passion Play and create new fans.”

More than 7.4 million people have seen this outdoor drama performed in the hills of the Ozark Mountains in Eureka Springs, Arkansas during the past 40 years. The Great Passion Play runs from May 2 to Oct. 25, except for Sundays and Wednesdays. The drama is performed on a 550-foot outdoor stage with 250 actors and live animals. Other things to do see and do on the Passion Play grounds:

•Christ of the Ozarks: One of the most visited attractions in the Ozarks, the Christ of the Ozarks statue with its arms open wide is a ubiquitous presence overlooking Eureka Springs. Completed in 1966 by the late Emmet Sullivan, one of the artisans who sculpted Mount Rushmore, the statue stands seven stories high and weighs more than 2 million pounds. Every inch of the 24 layers of white mortar on a steel frame was built by hand. The hands, from wrist to fingertip, measure about 7 feet. The arm spread from fingertip to fingertip spans 65 feet.

The Christ of the Ozarks is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free of charge. The statue and grounds are handicapped accessible by a gently sloping, paved walkway. However, vehicular access is limited to a parking area a few yards from the statue.

•New Holy Land Tour: This 2½-hour biblical teaching tour explores the ancient Middle Eastern culture in which Jesus was raised. Visitors meet characters from the time of Moses to the time of Christ. The Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walks on water, is one of 38 historically accurate exhibits created for the production.

Trams take visitors to each of the exhibits spread throughout the wooded hillsides of the Passion Play grounds. The tour is open on the same days as the play performances with departure times every 15 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. The last tour begins at 3:30 p.m. Space is limited, and reservations are required.

•Bible Museum: The Bible Museum highlights the Word of God with a compilation of more than 6,000 original Bibles, manuscripts and artifacts in 625 languages and dialects. It is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Some of the important translations and historical exhibits include Coverdale's Bible, the first complete Bible translated into English; Greek New Testament published by Erasmus in 1516; original 1611 King James Version, a first addition "HE” Bible, so-called because of the typographical error in Ruth 3:15.

The museum is open the same days as the play performances, and admission is included with the purchase of a performance ticket or New Holy Land Tour pass. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (7 p.m. after Labor Day).

•Sacred Arts Center: From 18th-century woodcarvings and 17th-century paintings to exquisite ceramics and challenging modern-day images, the Sacred Arts Center contains a stunning collection of religious and inspirational art. The center's collection includes two- and three-dimensional art pieces in many diverse mediums, including original oils on canvas painted by early masters and 20th century artists.

It also has an important collection of original Christian-theme art by American artist Harry Antis. The series of 12 paintings is titled "A Man From Nazareth Named Jesus.”
The arts center is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (7 p.m. after Labor Day) the same days at the play is performed.

•Museum of Earth History: This museum features a collection of dinosaur fossils and focuses on the biblical account of the creation of Earth. It relays the biblical story of the Earth's beginnings by starting with the creation story in the book of Genesis in the Bible and continuing through the great flood to the tower of Babel to the global ice age.

On exhibit are more than 14 life-size skeleton skulls and fossil plates. All the skeletons in the museum are research replicas, highly detailed casts of the original fossils. Displays in the museum include Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and the Woolly Mammoth. These replicas are the same as those found in all major museums around the world, including the Smith- sonian.
Information boards throughout the museum explain the biblical perspective, along with a guided-audio tour via headphones. The museum strives to provide a scientifically plausible history of the Earth in relation to the Bible. The exhibits provide a blend of religion, history and science for viewers.

•Parables of the potter: Before each Passion Play performance, a potter shares how God shapes all things as he creates a piece of art. Standing before his wheel molding clay into form, the potter teaches from inspirational passages of the Scriptures, including Jeremiah 18.

•The Tabernacle tour: Join a "Levitical Priest” inside the Tabernacle as he explains the spiritual significance of the Tabernacle. The tour begins at 4:30 p.m. during the regular season.

•Church in the Grove: A favorite ceremony location for many wedding couples, the Church in the Grove is a quaint, vintage country church. Originally built more than 100 years ago in Eureka Springs, the church was relocated to The Great Passion Play grounds and restored in 1986.

•Berlin Wall: An original 10-foot-by-10-foot section of the Berlin Wall stands next to the Church in the Grove. When the wall came down, The Great Passion Play acquired this piece as a tribute to the spirit of all people who risk their lives to believe and practice their Christian faith.

Information courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Great Passion Play Unveils Changes

More than 50 persons, in addition to staff and cast members, attended a press conference which addressed changes and additions to The New Great Passion Play on Tuesday, April 1. Entering its 40th season, the production will have changes in 90 percent of the scenes, incorporating more of Christ's miracles from the different New Testament gospels. There will also be new, original music, a renovated set, and the introduction of Satan as a character, which has never been seen before in The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs.

The previous script primarily utilized information contained in John's gospel, and while some of that will be removed, considerable information from Matthew and Luke will be added, with the story line more closely following that of Luke.

Artistic Director Rick Mann said new scenes will include emphasis on the altercations within the priesthood, with much of the story being told from the viewpoint of priests. The character of Satan will be particularly evident as a force in the crucifixion process, and Jesus will perform more miracles, tell more parables, and be seen in a more light-hearted mood. New scenes will also incorporate the role of Joseph of Arimathea, and prayer scenes will have less dialogue and more music.

The 30-minute press conference moved quickly with introduction of several local and state dignitaries, including Joe David Wright of Arkansas Department of Tourism, Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Joy, Jeff Feldmann of the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Jim Williams of the City Advertizing and Promotion Commission. Speakers largely spoke of the importance of the Passion Play to the economy, both locally and statewide, describing it as “vital to Arkansas tourism.”

Wright encouraged inter-reliance of the state's tourist industry, saying that visitors to Eureka Springs should encourage visitors to go to Fort Smith, where in turn they might be encouraged to go to Hot Springs or Little Rock.

Wright noted that the changes to the Passion Play should encourage more visitors.

Marvin Peterson, of the Elna M. Smith Foundation board of directors, stated that the play is the top outdoor production in the nation, and includes “historically accurate” stage settings.

In the costume of Jesus, who he portrays, artistic director Rick Mann said that the new script develops new elements in the character of Jesus, showing his impact on the lives of Pontius Pilates' wife, the high priests' servant Malchus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. “We strongly believe it will impact audiences in a way like never before,” he said. “It will bring them back to The New Great Passion Play and create new fans that will travel to Arkansas to experience all we have to offer and return home to tell their friends and families about it.”

The production will celebrate its 5,000th performance during the 2008 season, and will have brought in 7.5 million visitors to the county by the end of the 40th year. Those returning to see the play can still find more than 150 actors and live animals on the 550-foot stage.

The play will be performed nightly at 8:30 p.m. May 2 through Oct. 25, excluding Wednesdays and Sundays. After Labor Day, the show will start at 7:30 p.m. There will be special performances on Sundays, May 25 and Aug. 31, Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

December Events for Eureka Springs

A Season of Celebration

Monday, November 5th, 2007 - Saturday, December 8th, 2007

“A Season of Celebration” Holiday Shows at Pine Mountain Jamboree, nightly except Sunday.

Trail of Lights

Monday, November 19th, 2007 - Monday, December 31st, 2007

Both Eureka Springs and Berryville will be participating in the Arkansas Dept. of Parks and Tourism's 2007 "Trail of Lights."Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Free Christmas Lights Extravaganza at The Great Passion Play

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 - Monday, December 31st, 2007

Each night starting Nov. 9th thru Dec. 31th , at dusk until 9:00pm, Sunday thru Thursday and Friday and Saturday until 11:00pm, we will feature a drive thru Christmas light extravaganza (bigger and better than before). There is no charge for this event; however, donations will be accepted. Also, our magnificent gift shop will be open from 10:00am until 4:00pm Monday thru Thursday, and 10:00am until 8:00pm Friday and Saturday.

Christmas Celebration at the Great Passion Play

Friday, November 30th, 2007 - Saturday, December 1st, 2007

The Great Passion Play is proud to announce our 2007 Christmas Music Celebration event. Starting Nov. 9th & 10th (Friday & Saturday) and running each Friday & Saturday thru Dec. 15th for a total of 12 nights.Headlining the program will be two Christmas music show performances each night featuring the “Texans” beginning at 5:30pm and 7:00pm.Tickets will be $10.00 for adults, Children 6-18 will be $5.00 or $30.00 for a family pass. Also, this ticket will include admission to The Sacred Arts Center which will be open from 4:00pm until 7:30pm daily during performances.In addition, each night starting Nov. 9th thru Dec. 31th , at dusk until 9:00pm, Sunday thru Thursday and Friday and Saturday until 11:00pm, we will feature a drive thru Christmas light extravaganza (bigger and better than before). There is no charge for this event; however, donations will be accepted.Also, our magnificent gift shop will be open from 10:00am until 4:00pm Monday thru Thursday, and 10:00am until 8:00pm Friday and Saturday.

Candlelight Tour of Homes

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

The 25th Annual Tour of Homes will take place Saturday, December 1 from 2pm-7pm. Take a stroll through history as you tour through some of the most illustrious homes along Spring Street. Many of these homes have been lovingly brought back to their original stately manor while others have been thoroughly updated with fantastic modern amenities. The attention to detail in each of the locations makes this tour truly special for both the history buff, those that love the Victorian architecture, and those interested in seeing architectural works of art.There are over 14 locations participating in this year’s Holiday Tour of Homes and special attention to decorating for the holidays is happening within them. Several of the locations have been completely renovated just in time to participate in the tour this year.“We are delighted to have so many home owners participating in this years Tour of Homes,” shares Dee Bright, president of the Eureka Springs Preservation Society. “We have been thrilled with the level of enthusiasm and excitement. It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!”The Tour includes choir music, children caroling, refreshments, docent tours of each location, jazz bands and Victorian merriment throughout Spring Street. This is a lovely location to begin your holidays. Come for the first time and make it a holiday tradition.Tickets will be available November 1, 2007 at the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce and at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. Children under 12 are free. For more information please contact 800-638-7352.

Christmas Ball

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

Eureka Springs Historical Museum's annual fundraiser. The Christmas Ball will be held from 7pm-11pm at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel Ballroom. Dance to the sounds of the Jack Mitchell Quintet. Complimentary Wine & Hors d'oeuvres, Silent Auction and Cash Bar. Call Ginni Miller at 479-253-9417 or email at eshm999@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Ozarks Chorale Winter Concert

Saturday, December 8th, 2007

From its early beginnings of fewer than 30 voices, this year the 60-plus voice Ozarks Chorale begins its work in September. The musical library of the Chorale ranges from Classical works such as Handel's "Messiah" with accompanying orchestra to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" with Jazz ensemble accompaniment. Romantic works such as Brahms "Liebeslieder Waltzes" to gospel, pop, folk, musical theater and movie songs are Chorale favorites. The Chorale boasts the ability to sing anything from Bach to Beatles!Come join the Chorale to experience the beautiful music that is planned for the 2007-2008 season: Nov 17, 2007 "Sounds of the Season" Concert Holiday Island ClubhouseDec 8, 2007 "Old Fashioned Christmas" Concert Eureka Springs City AuditoriumApr 20, 2008 Spring Concert Eureka Springs City Auditorium

2nd Saturday Gallery Stroll

Saturday, December 8th, 2007

The tradition continues in Eureka Springs! The City's art galleries are joining forces to stage a monthly "Celebration of the Art of Eureka." From April to December, on the second Saturday of each month, galleries on Spring Street and all around the town will open their doors from 6-9:00 pm. A colorful banner hanging outside each one will identify galleries participating in this fabulous fun event. Inside, you will find all artist-made goods, ranging from gold and silver jewelry to paintings, glass, ceramic, wood and much more. Representing more than 2000 artists, these Eureka Springs art and fine craft galleries offer an unsurpassed collection of wares, propelling Eureka Springs to the top 5 small cities in the country for art. Celebrate the Art of Eureka, take a stroll through the town on the second Saturday of the month and enjoy seeing an eclectic collection of art! For more information, call 479-253-7679. See you on Second Saturdays in Eureka Springs!

Home for the Holidays Concert

Friday, December 14th, 2007

Eureka Springs Home for the Holidays Concert at the City Auditorium.

John Two-Hawks Concert

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

Holiday concert with Native American flute player, John Two-Hawks at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium.For tickets and other information, please call 866-444-0940 or 479-253-5826 or visit the website at http://www.johntwohawks.com/

Celebrate Christmas at The Great Passion Play

As the town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas celebrates “It’s A Dickens of a Christmas,” The Great Passion Play encourages visitors to go “Beyond Dickens”. This unique Christmas experience takes visitors from a Victorian street scene (right out of Charles Dickens’ novel) and into first century Bethlehem. Here the sights & sounds of the very first Christmas surrounds visitors, as they join the travelers from throughout Judea, the citizens & animals, the Roman soldiers, tax collectors, Shepherds, and Mary & Joseph to create a live interactive nativity scene.

In its fourth season, “Beyond Dickens” continues to bring new customers to the Eureka Springs, Arkansas Christmas Celebration. The event also includes fabulous window displays, appearances by the famous artist Jack Dawson, special tram tours to the Christ of the Ozarks Memorial Statue and the Amphitheater and beautiful lighting of the entire Great Passion Play grounds, as well as a presentation of “Christmas On Ice…A Stroll Down Memory Lane”.

Upon arrival at The Great Passion Play, visitors are welcomed with apple cider and Christmas treats. Beautifully attired Victorian characters, such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchitt, Tiny Tim, and a town crier invite visitors to “Go beyond Dickens into the very first Christmas.” Passing through the gate, visitors enter Bethlehem on the night Christ was born. Stern Roman soldiers, who occupy Bethlehem, instruct all to register for the census and pay their taxes. The townspeople engage visitors in conversation and talk about life in their little village. Travelers meet shepherds with a fantastical tale about seeing angels, as well as shopkeepers, harried housewives drawing water at the town well, and artisans who are excited about the opportunity to sell their wares to all of the people in town for the census. Visitors travel a little way out of “town” past the inn, to a stable where Mary and Joseph tell their story and share their joy at the birth of the baby Jesus.

The window displays, created by local businesses and Great Passion staff, include delightful recreations of the Crescent Hotel as a gingerbread house, Treasures from the Pacific Christmas celebration, a Department 56 village, Christmas memories, and more. Visitors also enjoy the Sacred Arts Center where Jack Dawson and his painting “The Passion Tree” are featured. "The “Passion Tree” illustrates the Bible from Genesis to Revelation with each ornament showing an event in history. Bibles with pages turned to the Christmas story, as well as a special collection of bells, are exhibited in the Bible Museum and visitors also take a trip through the Museum of Earth History. This Museum focuses on the earth’s early history. Featuring over 14 life-sized skeleton skulls, and fossil plates, the museum provides an attraction for people from all walks of life, from scientists to school children.

Christmas nativities from around the world are displayed inside the Christmas Hall where a special presentation “Christmas On Ice…A Stroll Down Memory Lane” completes the evening. This community project produced by a volunteer cast is led by Darry and Pam Lisemby.

November Events in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Christmas Celebration at the Great Passion Play

Friday, November 9th, 2007 - Saturday, November 10th, 2007

The Great Passion Play is proud to announce our 2007 Christmas Music Celebration event. Starting Nov. 9th & 10th (Friday & Saturday) and running each Friday & Saturday thru Dec.15th for a total of 12 nights. Headlining the program will be two Christmas music show performances each night featuring the “Texans” beginning at 5:30pm and 7:00pm.Tickets will be $10.00 for adults, Children 6-18 will be $5.00 or $30.00 for a family pass. Also, this ticket will include admission to The Sacred Arts Center which will be open from 4:00pm until 7:30pm daily during performances.In addition, each night starting Nov. 9th thru Dec. 31th , at dusk until 9:00pm, Sunday thru Thursday and Friday and Saturday until 11:00pm, we will feature a drive thru Christmas light extravaganza (bigger and better than before). There is no charge for this event; however, donations will be accepted.Also, our magnificent gift shop will be open from 10:00am until 4:00pm Monday thru Thursday, and 10:00am until 8:00pm Friday and Saturday. For advanced ticket purchases or for additional information call The Great Passion Play at 1-800-882-7529

A Season of Celebration

Monday, November 5th, 2007 - Saturday, December 8th, 2007

“A Season of Celebration” Holiday Shows at Pine Mountain Jamboree, nightly except Sunday.

Fall Antique Show & Sale

Friday, November 16th, 2007 - Sunday, November 18th, 2007

55 antique dealers from 14 different states bring their wares November 17 and 18 for the 19th Annual Eureka Springs Fall Antique Show and Sale.A special Wine & Cheese Preview will be held on Friday, November 16, 5:30-7 p.m. The popular yearly event will be held at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. This is one of the kickoff events for the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Attendees will pay $10 for this first chance at the antiques brought by dealers from around the country. This fee covers all days. Regular show hours on Saturday are 10 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Admission price for this event is $ 2.50, good for both days. This well-attended show not only draws dealers from many states, it also brings customers from as many as 23 different states. “By now, most antique lovers around this part of the country know that the third weekend in November and the third weekend in March are devoted to antiques here in Eureka Springs,” according to Jane Baker. She and her husband, Dave, are show managers. “This is our 19th fall show and it looks to be better than ever,” she added. For more information on the festival, contact Dave or Jane Baker at 479-253-7551 or bakerdj@cox.net.

Sounds of the Season

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

From its early beginnings of fewer than 30 voices, this year the 60-plus voice Ozarks Chorale begins its work in September. The musical library of the Chorale ranges from Classical works such as Handel's "Messiah" with accompanying orchestra to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" with Jazz ensemble accompaniment. Romantic works such as Brahms "Liebeslieder Waltzes" to gospel, pop, folk, musical theater and movie songs are Chorale favorites. The Chorale boasts the ability to sing anything from Bach to Beatles!Come join the Chorale to experience the beautiful music that is planned for the 2007-2008 season:
Nov 17, 2007 "Sounds of the Season" Concert Holiday Island Clubhouse
Dec 8, 2007 "Old Fashioned Christmas" Concert Eureka Springs City Auditorium
Apr 20, 2008 Spring Concert Eureka Springs City Auditorium

Trail of Lights

Monday, November 19th, 2007 - Monday, December 31st, 2007

Both Eureka Springs and Berryville will be participating in the Arkansas Dept. of Parks and Tourism's 2007 "Trail of Lights."Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Thanksgiving in Eureka Springs

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

Many of Eureka's finest restaurants will be offering first class buffet or full service on Thanksgiving Day. Traditional to eclectic, these special meals are sure to please every pallet. Restaurants will be added as they become available. Reservations will be strongly encouraged. Please call the restaurant of choice regarding seating times and additional information.
-The Gazebo (located in Best Western Eureka Inn)
-The Grand Taverne (located in the Grand Central Hotel)
-The Crystal Dining Room (located in the Crescent Hotel)
-Forest Hill Restaurant (next door to Holiday Inn Express on Van Buren St.)
-Myrtie Mae's (located in Best Western Inn of the Ozarks)
-Rogue's Manor (on Spring Street)

Christmas Parade

Friday, November 30th, 2007

This evening parade features floats, walkers,bands and thousands of lights as it makes it way through downtown Eureka Springs. For more information call 800-6EUREKA.

Travel to Eureka Springs for Victorian Charm

You'll find a treasure trove of Victorian charm in the Arkansas Ozarks. Ask natives about the Northwest Arkansas mountaintop retreat they call home and, repeatedly, any number of "M" words creep into the conversation. "Mystical." "Magical." "Monumental." "Magnanimous." "Meaningful." "Magnificent," even. For a town with a population of under 2,000, such meaty adjectives seem like the basis for tall tales meted out by the overly enthusiastic ... until you do a doubletake. At that point, you--like the proud citizens who lay claim to this small, carved-out-of-limestonecliffs community--might find yourself rubbing the sleep from your eyes and searching for yet another "M" word to add to residents' mellifluous list of brags.

Eureka Springs seems to have a history of making boasters out of even the most soft-spoken people. Long before white settlers "discovered" the town in 1856, Native Americans revered the place for both its natural beauty and the restorative powers of the healing waters that gave rise to its modern name. By the mid-19th century, Eureka (residents often abbreviate their town's moniker) had gained a reputation as "America's Medicine Teepee." Soon, visitors were flocking to the diminutive site in pursuit of cures for a wide range of ailments. Today, seasonal migrations still swell Eureka's narrow, winding streets as tourists continue to discover the pleasures of this picturesque Victorian-era village.

Take, for example, the many gingerbread-laden structures sprinkled atop Eureka's hillsides. Among ornately embellished cottages and tour homes are many delightful bed and breakfasts. Or opt to stay in a turn-of-the-20th-century hotel like the Eureka's grande dame--the Crescent Hotel. A massive 1886 hostelry set at the top of Eureka's historic loop, the Crescent--in addition to providing guests with sweeping panoramas--is said to be haunted (by benevolent, if not overly friendly, spirits). And the hotel's New Moon Spa is just one of numerous, around-town establishments keeping Eureka's bathhouse tradition alive.

The Basin Park Hotel is another statuesque beauty. Set next door to downtown's pint-sized, bandstand-surrounded park, this Ripley's Believe It or Not hotel has seven hillside stories--all with "groundfloor" entries. Outside, Spring Street blossoms with galleries, boutiques, and bistros.

Street fare--from funnel cakes to fudge--is tempting, but save room for dining at one of Eureka's fine restaurants. Some favorites: Ermillio's for northern and southern Italian dishes; Jim & Brent's for an eclectic selection of new cuisine; Sonny's for New York-style pizza, as well as a weekend chalkboard menu and piano bar; Center Street for authentic Mexican mole and margaritas; and the Plaza, with its canopied second-story dining overlooking pedestrian-filled streets.

Attractions outside of the compact, though hilly, downtown area include such memorable Highway 62 West sites as the architecturally inspiring Thorncrown Chapel, an interdenominational church that rises dramatically out of the surrounding woods, and Eureka Springs Gardens.

In the opposite direction, country music shows dot Highway 62 East. On Highway 23 North, just off the downtown district, there are the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway's steam-operated excursion and dining trains. Nearby, you'll find the Great Passion Play, a religious spectacle that has played to generations of visitors each May-October. And just above Passion Play Road, on a 1,500-foot overlook, towers the seven-story Christ of the Ozarks--a marble sculpture completed in 1968 by one of Mt. Rushmore's sculptors.

Information courtesy of Travel America

Free Things To Do In Eureka Springs

The charming Victorian town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a community built around art, history and heritage. There are plenty of things to do in Eureka Springs, and even better, there are plenty of FREE things to do in Eureka Springs! The picturesque beauty of this town combined with the fantastic activities available make this vacation getaway a perfect choice!

Many of the FREE things to do in Eureka Springs involve its magnificent architecture and interesting past. There is also a thriving art community in Eureka Springs that adds to the allure of this quaint destination. Enjoy these FREE Eureka Springs activities when you visit!

-Thorncrown Chapel: Visit this unique chapel for a breathtaking experience. Thorncrown Chapel incorporates 425 panels of clear glass to showcase the beauty of the Ozarks. This architectural masterpiece was named among the top four buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects.

-Downtown Eureka Springs: Strolling the beautiful streets of downtown Eureka Springs is a great way to spend the day! This Victorian Village is filled with wonderful architecture and the downtown streets are lined with shops and sites of interest.

-St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church: This church has been listed in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and is located between the Carnegie Library and the Crescent Hotel, accessible by Crescent Drive (Crescent Grade) off of the Historic Loop.

-Art Galleries: There are several galleries in and around downtown Eureka Springs. A few to choose from include Eureka Thyme, Gumpshun Gallery, Quicksilver Gallery, 83 Spring Street and Eureka Fine Arts Gallery. These amazing displays are a must see Eureka attraction!

-Christ of the Ozarks: This seven story high statue is a monumental sculpture of Jesus Christ. It is located on the Great Passion Play grounds and is open to the public free of charge.

Eureka Spring’s fantastic location also provides various ways to enjoy the great outdoors! These activities are always fun and always free!

-Lake Leatherwood Park: Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, this 1,600 acre park has a 100 acre spring fed lake. It’s a great place to enjoy natural Eureka.

-Pivot Rock & Natural Bridge: These two natural formations are interesting features that add to the beauty of Eureka Springs.

-Pea Ridge National Military Park: This historical park is located approximately 30 minutes from Eureka Springs. There is a nominal fee to enter, but the things to do at Pea Ridge are educational and fun.

Travel to Eureka Springs this Season

Eureka Springs is a charming town that springs to life during this time of year. The small town atmosphere allows guests to stroll from shop to gallery to eatery with ease, all in a blooming and blossoming setting alive with color. The Victorian architecture in beautiful Eureka also adds to its appeal. A Eureka Springs getaway is an experience unlike any other. The fantastic Eureka Springs Festivals and Eureka Springs Art Galleries are also favorites of visitors. Both the Eureka Springs May Festival of the Arts and the Eureka Springs Blue Festival will be held this spring, making for yet another reason to visit.

The Victorian charm of Eureka also makes it a popular place to say “I Do.” Weddings in Eureka Springs allow newlyweds to experience an elegant, unique ceremony and in the spring the beautiful weather and sunny skies only add to the appeal. The Crescent Hotel is a popular place for nuptials, as well as a favorite place to stay in Eureka Springs among visitors. Built in 1886, this hotel has a rich history and luxurious amenities for their modern day customers.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas also has many interesting attractions to visit. The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a USDA licensed facility dedicated to the rescue and life time care of abandoned and unwanted Big Cats. They house tigers, lions, cougars and more all of which are available for the public to see. Blue Spring Heritage Center a unique historical site tied to the Trail of Tears and early Native Americans. It’s also a natural wonder, pouring 38 million gallons of cold, clear water each day into its trout-stocked lagoon. Another natural creation that’s one of the top things to do in Eureka Springs is visit Cosmic Caverns. This hidden treasure is a famous cave with two bottomless caves and an amazing straw formation called “Silent Splendor.” You’ll want to see this for yourself!

The Great Passion Play begins their 2007 season this spring. This top Eureka Springs Show retells the story of Jesus Christ’s life in an outdoor drama unlike any other. This production is a perfect addition to Easter weekend, allowing family to celebrate in both story and life. Two other great Eureka Springs Shows are Pine Mountain Jamboree and Ozark Mountain Hoedown. Both shows provide fantastic music and hilarious comedy that’s family friendly. Of course, visitors also love to take advantage of the shopping in Eureka Springs as well as the delicious restaurants in Eureka Springs. Eureka is also known as a spa haven, where one can relax and pamper themselves at some of the finest spas around.

A Eureka Springs vacation is a unique experience with interesting things to do and exciting entertainment. This spring visit this quaint Victorian town for a step back in time and a step towards wonderful memories.