TEXARKANA, Texas - Christmas is just around the bend and what better time for the Perot Theatre to host its annual Perot Holiday Traditions on Saturday.
With holiday movies, Santa Claus, vendors, food trucks and an actual guarantee of snow falling on Main Street in front of the Perot, the day promises to glow with the Christmas spirit.
The daytime movies include "Frozen" at 10:30 a.m. and "Frozen II" at 2:30 p.m. Each will be prefaced by the short film "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Those daytime movies can all be seen for $6.
Tiffani Whitehead, marketing coordinator at the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, says they're excited to host the event. They hope it's the next step to hosting a larger event at the theater.
"We'll do the 'Frozen' marathon. It will be our first setup. We're super excited. We think that the kids are going to love the 'Frozen' characters. We're going to have people in costume. We're going to have various things going on," Whitehead said.
She said Main Street will be busy with Santa and COVID-friendly photo opportunities from noon to 2 p.m. They'll have pre-bagged crafts for children who have tickets for the movies.
Vendors will line Main Street and sell everything from quilts to fabrics, jewelry, soaps, teas and more, in addition to three food trucks, barbecue and more included.
"People don't have to leave downtown once they get to to the theater. It's an all-day thing. There will be 15 different vendors," Whitehead said.
Children can visit with Santa Claus, although they won't be able to sit on his lap. The setup will still let them visit with Santa and take a photo home. Instead of a craft table, children can take the craft project home and remember they got them at the Perot, the marketing coordinator said.
"Our selfie station will still be up and we will have our Olaf's blow-up that was a huge hit last year," Whitehead said, noting Olaf stole the show then even without showing "Frozen." Hot apple cider and hot chocolate will be available for free.
"There will be an antique firetruck to take photos, just lots of good stuff from noon to 2 p.m.," said Whitehead, noting she's never been wrong about a prediction of snow for this event. "One-hundred percent chance of snow on Main Street."
The carriage rides before "It's a Wonderful Life" come courtesy of Atlanta, Texas-based Tommy Toys. "They'll start in front of the theater and run you through the snow machines. It will actually be a beautiful photograph for memory. It's a great date night. People can bring their loved ones downtown, grab something to eat. The food trucks will still be set up," Whitehead said.
Snow, a horse-drawn carriage, the Perot Theatre lit up, it should all make for a beautiful scene before the evening movie.
Patrons are asked to wear masks when they are walking through the theater and around people, Whitehead said.
(To buy tickets, call 903-792-4992 or visit the Perot Theatre Box Office. Because of socially distanced seating, tickets are reserved, but they will be available for walk-up sales on Saturday.)