Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Kick off the Christmas season at the seventh annual JoyFest on the first Saturday in December with loads of holiday fun for all ages.

This free holiday event will be Dec. 6 from 3-11 p.m. along the Union Street Park area in downtown Jonesboro.

New to this year’s event is the JoyFest Community Choir, which is part of the festival’s live entertainment lineup. Participants are still being accepted for the choir. To sign up, go to the JoyFest website and scroll to the bottom of the page, then click the “join now” button.

Other live entertainment performances include The Foundation of Arts, The Link Theatre, Cory and Stephanie Epps, Bloodhound, and Emilee + Levi. Performances begin at 3 p.m. The Jonesboro Media Group’s Christie Matthews and K8 News’ Griffin Broussard will emcee the event.

“I will send you the music that we’re going to be doing, and then we’ll have a practice probably that Friday before… just one practice and then everybody will sing together at JoyFest. So, that’ll be really special, and it’s another neat way for everybody to get involved,” said JoyFest event coordinator Sarah Rickert.

The lighting of the RightFiber Christmas Tree will be at 5:30 p.m. It will remain lit until the new year.

Festivalgoers will also have the chance to enjoy several other activities, including:

  • Shopping at Barton’s Vendor Village with many artisans and vendors
  • Ice skating at the First Community Bank Wonderland Rink
  • A stroll through the JoyFest Tree Trail inside the Winter Wonderland
  • Several festive photo-ops, including photos with Santa
  • The First National Bank Carousel, the CME Inc. Teapots, and the Jonesboro A&P Ferris Wheel
    • Rides can be previewed during the Jonesboro Christmas Parade on Dec. 5 and will stick around for about a week.

Rickert added that people can book a special JoyFest Staycation at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Jonesboro Red Wolf Convention Center on Dec. 5 and/or Dec. 6, which includes an Embassy Suites stay, JoyFest VIP passes, two Delta Symphony Orchestra Tickets, Breakfast with Santa, passes to Santa’s North Pole, and in-room hot cocoa, charcuterie and more.

To book a JoyFest Staycation, click here or call Embassy Suites at (870) 619-4482, extension 0, and ask for “the JoyFest room.”

Rickert also thanked the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance and Jonesboro Parks and Recreation.

“I think they look forward to the Christmas season, too,” she said. “They are so fun to work with, getting ready for JoyFest, and I’m really thankful for them and how they get into the spirit and they’re super helpful.”

For more information about the festival or how to get involved, visit the JoyFest website or call (870) 897-9456.