The Holiday Routine of a Small Town

The holiday season in Mena, Arkansas is different than that of any other small town. The leaves begin to change colors and the air become much cooler than it was. This is the type of town that turns in at night and revives in the morning only to achieve just what it has to. No one is in a hurry and everyone lives at an easy pace with a simple train of thought. It is a sort of retirement town. During the holiday season, the sleepy town turns into a bustling commerce town with everyone rushing to get their shopping done early. The center of all this ciaos is the local Wal-Mart store. Three things happen before the frenzy ends and the start of it is The CMA rolling into town.

With the loud roar of mufflers and the smell of exhaust comes the start of fall and the holiday feeling. The Christian Motorcycle Association holds their annual changing of the colors event at the end of October every year. They host many Christian music concerts, prayer and fellowship meeting, and a very exciting benefit function call "Wheels and Wings". Motorcyclist from all over the US comes to Mena for this event. The town becomes filled with the roar of motorcycles. "Wheels and Wings" is a fundraising event put on by the CMA. For a donation one many go and view the spectacle of motorcycle competitions, good food, and a ride over the Quachita Mountains. As one looks out of the plane they would see the variety of trees in their splendid colors surrounding the small town of Mena. All the proceeds from this event go to help many children in the United States in need.

With the exit of the loud bikes comes the Toyland Grand Opening at Wal-Mart. In a small town this is a big event. Parents and children line up to get their piece of cake, meet Santa, and gather down the toy aisle to get the first look at this year's hottest toys. Well-stocked aisle and a friendly environment lend itself to helpful elves and excited kids. Whether it's the newest tickle me Elmo or Lego set. Toys galore find themselves into the shopping carts of unsuspecting parents and eager youngsters. It is the first day that kids realize Christmas is on it's way and also the first day parents realize that their wallets just got lighter and they have accrued a credit card bill that matches that of last years summer electric bill. The kids cry for joy and the parents' cry for expense. It's official the Christmas rush in Mena has just begun.

The beginning of December brings the long awaited for lighting of Janssen Park. A long day of festivities lay ahead. The town hosts the Christmas beauty contest and singing competitions. All day long there is something to do while local merchant spend time and money build floats that express the years parade them. It seems that everyone in town somehow pitches in. That evening the local kids line the main street just waiting to catch as much candy as they can while watching as Santa comes down the street on a fire truck and the local high school band plays Christmas songs as it marches amongst the floats. The parade ends at the park with the official lighting ceremony. This is the first glimpse at the light display that everyone in the town will see at least once. It is the symbol of Christmas in this little town and the true sign that all it in place for the coming year.

The feeling of the season stays in the air until after the New Year. With the drop of the ball a sigh of relief and survival passes over the citizens of the community. They can begin paying off those credit card bills and continue to just get by as the busy town returns to its sleepy state. Once again the streets are quite and the lights go out at dark the street will roll up as Mena relaxes to it normal state of bliss. No noise, a few lights, and many pleasant memories and thought of the coming year.