Arkansas First Lady Susan Hutchinson recently announced the list of public events scheduled at the Governor’s Mansion during the 2018 holiday season.

The theme will be “An Arkansas Natural Christmas.”  The season kicks off with the mansion’s annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00pm.

The event is free to the public and will feature performances by the Voices of Central Arkansas (VOCA) children’s choir of Conway.  The open house will also offer free miniature train rides for children, as well as special appearances by Santa Claus and Dickens Carolers, according to a news release.

The first lady will also host holiday teas on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 and Wednesday, December 12, 2018.  This will take place at 2:00pm on both days.

On Tuesday, December 18, 2018, the First Lady’s Children’s Tea will feature a special appearance and performance by Santa Claus, as well as a trip to Santa’s Sweet Shop for each child in attendance.

“I believe folks have come to expect a ‘wow’ factor when they visit the mansion during the holidays,” Hutchinson said.  “This year will not disappoint because, once again, the decorations are going to be spectacular.  I’m also looking forward to hearing children’s voices echo through the Grand Hall at the open house and teas, and of course, who doesn’t look forward to a visit from Santa Claus?”

Tickets for the holiday teas are $50 each and are available at www.friendsofthemansion.org or by calling 501.324.9805.

All proceeds from these events benefit the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the renovation, improvement, furnishings and endowment of the mansion.