Cultura Garden Club committee members recently met to finalize the plans for decorating downtown Russellville for the Christmas holiday season. Hillary Malone Hall, Cultura president and chairman/planner for the Downtown Christmas Decorations Committee, gave an update on the funding for the project. With the support of the mayor, city council, probate judge, county commissioners, a grant and proceeds raised from the garden club’s fundraisers, $21,529 has been budgeted for the city’s decorations.

Large street poles with stop lights will feature garland, lights and ornamental Christmas balls. Snowflake lights will be hung on the large street poles, and small street poles will be decorated with traditional garland, lights and draped in red, green and champagne ball garland. The street sign decorations will consist of garland, bows and finial ornaments; all trees will be wrapped in white lights; and the shrubs wrapped in red lights.

Plans also include decorations for City Hall, the Courthouse, the police department, post office and the public library. The Historic Roxy Theatre will be decked out for Toyland.

Another new addition for downtown is the lighting of a large Christmas tree.

Merchants and businesses are encouraged to decorate their store windows to celebrate the Russellville Christmas Holiday Season.

Work on the downtown decorations will begin Nov. 13 following Veterans Day. The Christmas tree lighting event is tentatively planned for the week of Nov. 26.

The Roxy’s Legend of Toyland is scheduled to begin Nov. 28 and run through Dec. 2, and the Christmas parade will be Dec. 6 following Every Light a Prayer for Peace and Veterans Reception held at the Courthouse.

The Book Lovers Study Club Christmas Holiday Tour of Homes is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Mark your calendar for these events and make plans to attend!

By Susie Hovater Malone