In a League of Their Own

The Junior League of Texarkana is gearing up to host its 36th annual holiday market
By Brianna Baird

Back: Katelyn Jordan, Briley Hearn, Mia Ray, Meghan Akin, Jessica Musgraves, Stacy Lewis, Sherelle Flenory, Lesa Hill, Tori Luker, Collins Cockerell, Tiffany Studebaker, Haleigh Alexander, Staci Brown; front: Katie Thomas, Brianna Baird, Kelly Harvin, Victoria Herman, Madeline Robbins, Sydney Wicks, Eden Young, Allegra Grice. photo by molly kendrick.

Get ready to jingle and mingle! Join us for a festive celebration as we kick off the holiday season at our “Christmas in the City”-themed event, Mistletoe Market. The Junior League of Texarkana is set to host its 36th annual holiday market from November 9th to November 11th at the Holiday Inn Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center.

The Junior League of Texarkana, Inc. (JLT) is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Since its formation in 1926, JLT has been instrumental in the development of community programs in Texarkana. These include Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Hospice of Texarkana, Discovery Place Children’s Museum, Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. In alignment with the League’s current focus area, “Children: Literacy, Hunger, and Poverty,” JLT supports four community projects: 

Open Hearts Food Pantry – Upon learning that secondary students do not benefit from weekend food assistance programs such as those offered to elementary children, JLT members set out to find a solution. Open Hearts Food Pantry was adopted as a project in 2018 to meet the needs of middle school students facing food insecurity. Through this project, the League provides funding and volunteer hours in support of Harvest Texarkana’s weekend food assistance program.

Packs for a Purpose – When children leave their homes through Child Protective Services, they’re often only given a trash bag to fill with their belongings. JLT members adopted Packs for a Purpose in 2018 to meet the needs of these children. The packs contain living essentials, school supplies, and comfort items which assist in maintaining the dignity of children. Backpacks are filled by members and distributed to local agencies twice annually. 

Junior League members filling bags for Packs for a Purpose.

Shoes for the Soul & Clothes for a Cause – Shoes for the Soul was adopted as a project in 2005. It has since expanded to include Clothes for a Cause. With support from local schools, children in need of shoes and clothing are identified. JLT members shop with these deserving children to select new, seasonally-appropriate shoes and clothes. The program is offered twice annually. 

Teacher Take Wing – Since the 1990s, JLT has awarded grants to area teachers for innovative classroom projects through Teacher Take Wing. With support from local schools, JLT distributes grant applications to teachers at the beginning of each school year. Applications are reviewed, scored, and ranked anonymously by the Teacher Take Wing committee, and grants are awarded in the fall.

Membership volunteers at Shoes for the Soul and Clothes for a Cause.

In addition to giving back to the community through projects, the Junior League of Texarkana is proud to support the development of its members as civic leaders through community service and training. JLT’s active members log over 10,000 combined service hours annually, and the League budgets, on average, $20,000 for member training each year. As part of an international network of 295 Leagues comprised of over 125,000 women who are engaged in similar work in their own communities, JLT members have access to a unique and powerful depth of knowledge and resourcefulness to bring about community improvement.  

Cheyanne Harris and Rachelle Cope dropping off to CPS Rainbow Room.

The Junior League of Texarkana fulfills its mission through the community’s generous support of Mistletoe Market, the League’s primary fundraiser. Moreover, the event is a treasured tradition that has helped to kick off the Christmas season in Texarkana for over 35 years. The 2023 Mistletoe Market committee has been at work for months, and the members are excited to present an event that will both honor Mistletoe’s celebrated history and incorporate new ideas. From our Thursday-night kickoff party, Jingle and Mingle, to Friday morning’s Mistletoe and Mimosas brunch and Friday night’s grand entrance of Santa Claus via helicopter, along with a multitude of children’s events and an abundance of awesome vendors, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. The Junior League of Texarkana invites all to shop, celebrate, and make memories at the 2023 Mistletoe Market.

Mistletoe Market at a Glance

Mistletoe Market will kick off Thursday, November 9th, at 7 p.m. with our Jingle and Mingle celebration. Tickets for the event are $60 and include market admission, a gourmet meal provided by a local caterer, beer and wine selections, access to a cash bar, entertainment by Texarkana Jazz Orchestra and DJ Hollygrove, and access to a silent auction. The winner of our benefit drawing will also be selected and announced during Jingle and Mingle. One lucky recipient will win their choice of a vacation to Punta Cana, Walt Disney World, or New York City. Benefit drawing tickets are $50, and only 200 will be sold. Ticket holders need not be present to win. Tickets can be purchased at jltexarkana.org.

2023 Mistletoe Market Co-Chairs Sydney Wicks, Madeline Robbins, and Victoria Herman. photo by molly kendrick.

The market will reopen Friday morning, November 10th, for the Mistletoe and Mimosas brunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets for the event are $45 and include market admission, mimosas, brunch provided by Verona, live music by Jesse Jenkins, and private shopping. The winner of our handbag drawing will be selected and announced during this event. One lucky recipient will win a Louis Vuitton Graceful MM handbag, generously donated by Madeline Robbins and Stephanie Campbell-Bolt with Homes with Heart Team Century 21 Real Estate. Tickets are $20 each or three for $50. Make sure to get your tickets at jltexarkana.org or by scanning the QR code below.

General shopping will kick off immediately following Mistletoe and Mimosas on Friday, November 10th, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,  and will feature performances by local school groups on stage. The food court will be open during shopping hours and will feature locally-owned food trucks. Thanks to Lifenet, Santa Claus’ grand entrance via helicopter will also take place on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center. Weekend passes cost $10 and can be purchased at jltexarkana.org.

General shopping will be available on Saturday, November 11th, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature performances by local music and dance groups on stage. The food court will be open during shopping hours. The children’s events—breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus, storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and family Christmas card photo shoots—will also be available throughout the day. Children’s events tickets are $30 each and include one craft and a picture with Santa. If you’re solely wanting a picture with Santa, aside from attending a children’s event, you can purchase that for $10 individually. Tickets for the children’s events are limited and selling fast. Make sure to purchase yours HERE.

For more information, contact a JLT member or call the League office at 870-772-9948.