LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, also known as "Bright the Night," takes place on Monday -- but before the big day arrives there's still a lot of preparation that needs to take place.
"The Downtown Little Rock Partnership reached out and asked if we'd be interested in helping Main Street get ready for Christmas this year," Little Rock Firefighter official Matthew Stallings said. "So, you know, it's a bunch of firefighters and their families out here just putting up Christmas lights."
Stallings and members of the Little Rock Fire Department Local 34 spent their Sunday sprucing up Main Street. Getting into the holiday spirit, the group lent a hand in the last length of preparations for Monday's annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.
"We got done quicker than we thought we would because like I said, very task oriented, [tasks] divided up," Stallings said.
This will be the fire department's first time volunteering to install holiday lights. Stallings said it was a no-brainer to spend some time helping the community.
And while they lent a big hand on Sunday, they're not the only ones preparing for Monday's extravaganza.
Local businesses like Big Bad Breakfast are also prepping as they will be playing a crucial role this coming Monday.
"We've been designated to provide the hot chocolate for the tree lighting ceremony," Big Bad Breakfast Kitchen Manager Derek Ellis said. "We come in [and] we warm up a bunch of hot chocolate, build our recipe. They provide these big warmers. They carry them to the ceremony."
This will be the second consecutive year that they're providing hot chocolate and this time, they're prepared for the large crowds. Ellis said that last year, they ran out of hot chocolate which had been prepared for roughly 500 attendees.
This year however, they're not only ready to provide for the expected turn out, but looking to help everyone cherish the holiday moments with a warm cup of comfort.
"It's just about getting the people together, having a good time. You see the kids smiling, the parents smiling. That's what it's all about," Ellis said.
To learn more about Little Rock's Bright the Night event, click or tap here.