Lights of the Ozarks 2012

Lights of the Ozarks is a tradition for many families in Northwest Arkansas.

"It's something that you'll always remember. We have pictures from last year and the year before last and the year before that," Nadine Yates said, sitting next to her daughter and 5 grandchildren at the Square.

For 19 years now, just a flip of a switch has begun the holidays.

"It really puts you in the Christmas spirit when you have light above you and beside you below you and all around you, then great holiday music to go with that," Marilyn Heifner, Executive Director for the Fayetteville A&P Commission, the group responsible for purchasing the lights.

"I think it kind of pulls everybody together. There's not any issue with anything everybody's just like happy and joyous to be here," Yates said.

Thirty-thousand dollars for nearly half a million new LED lights. They typically bring about 300,000 people to the square. So it heightens, not just spirits but the local economy.

"This is the main impetus to put people in restaurants and to have people stay in the hotels," Heifner said.

The lights will be up until Dec. 31st, so go enjoy some hot chocolate and a carriage ride as you soak in the season.

"Whether you walk or drive it's just beautiful, I don't know of anything this pretty," Yates said.

Other events are happening in the square this season.

The Pet Parade will be Dec. 1st and hosted by students in the University of Arkansas Events class.

Carriage, pony and camel rides will also be available. Don't forget to see Santa and his reindeer every night from 6 to 9 until Dec. 23rd.

For more information on events happening on the Square, visit http:// www.thelightsoftheozarks.com.