The Batesville City Council announced updates to its annual Christmas light display during Tuesday's meeting, as ongoing construction projects in Riverside Park and nearby areas necessitate changes to accommodate visitors and ensure safety. Known as the "Christmas Capital of Arkansas," the city draws more than 100,000 visitors during the holiday season.
Mayor Rick Elumbaugh confirmed that Batesville will continue its tradition of festive holiday lights while acknowledging the need for a modified approach due to construction challenges. Key projects include a water treatment plant and the Riverside Park expansion, both located in the heart of the city’s typical holiday display area.
“We’re out of our home—out of Riverside Park—so we’re really trying to think ahead,” Elumbaugh said, noting the city aims to fully revive its traditional holiday offerings by 2027. He added that crowd management around the community center last year proved difficult, with overlapping events such as train rides, horse-drawn carriages, and private holiday parties.
The city will pause several features this season, such as the White River Express train rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a popular slide attraction. Additionally, food concessions will not be available. The display will focus primarily on drive-through experiences, though limited attractions—such as Santa Claus appearances near The River restaurant—will remain accessible.
Cemetery and Landscape Department Supervisor Johnathan Abbott emphasized that simplifying the festivities will allow his team to concentrate their efforts on the light displays while easing congestion and ensuring public safety. He explained that traffic for the drive-through event will be routed down 20th Street, around a roundabout, and onto Pioneer Drive before entering Riverside Park.
“We’ll shuffle some of the bigger attractions, like the castle and photo-op areas, into spaces like Park 4 near The River restaurant,” Abbott said. “If there is pedestrian activity, it will be minimal and centered in certain designated park areas.”
Construction on the Riverside Park expansion is set for completion in December 2026. The project includes an events center, new recreational facilities, and improved greenspaces. Elumbaugh noted that these developments reflect Batesville’s continued growth and future potential as a regional hub.
In other updates, Abbott outlined the ongoing responsibilities of the Cemetery and Landscape Department, which include maintaining approximately 200-300 acres citywide and managing overgrown yard complaints referred by Code Enforcement. Staffing and aging infrastructure remain pressing challenges for the department, Abbott said.
The council also discussed other community projects, including new fall sports programs and grant-funded mountain bike trails. Parks and Recreation Director Lowen Lermitte reported active participation in soccer and baseball while noting progress on additions like a splash pad and nature play area. Lermitte also mentioned concerns over graffiti at the yet-to-open skatepark, with options for monitoring and engagement under review.
Meanwhile, Sanitation Department Supervisor Jason Jones addressed waste disposal challenges, including higher fees from the Cherokee Village Landfill and improper curbside trash separation. He urged residents to comply with guidelines for managing bulk items and yard debris.
The council approved an ordinance to address property damage caused by water or sewer system malfunctions, raising the maximum amount the city may pay for qualified claims to $20,000.
Council members Paige Hubbard and Fred Krug were absent from the meeting.