By Caroline Averitt | Staff Writer

The Red Wolves Foundation hosted the 36th annual Lit’l Bita Christmas arts and crafts show Nov. 11-13 at the First National Bank Arena. 

Lit’l Bita Christmas started in 1987 when former coach Bill Templeton wanted to raise money for the student athlete scholarship fund. The first show hosted about 20 crafters and now hosts over 250 booths where vendors can sell their items. Lit’l Bita Christmas has grown into the largest craft show in the Mid-South. 

This event is organized by the Red Wolves Foundation, a non-profit organization created to raise funds for student athletes at Arkansas State University with Lit’l Bita Christmas being specifically designed to raise money for student athlete scholarships. 

Gina Winchester, the executive director for administration of the Red Wolves Foundation said over 10,000 people shopped at Lit’l Bita Christmas this year. 

Not only does this event benefit student athletes, but it also boosts tourism and commerce in Jonesboro. 

“It helps the community, it helps the local crafters,” Winchester said. “People will drive from outside of this area to come and shop, stay in hotels and eat at the restaurants.” 

Many new vendors participated in the show this year, as well as vendors that have sold their items at Lit’l Bita Christmas for many years. 

Russell Lincoln, a vendor with Lit’l Bita Christmas for 25 years sold items such as kettle corn and pork rinds at his booth. Though he is not native to Jonesboro, he likes to sell his goods at shows around Arkansas because he loves the state. 

“I keep coming back. Everybody’s friendly, (Jonesboro is) a really nice town and I like the area,” Lincoln said. 

Julie Mills, an alumna of Arkansas State, sold homemade fudge at her booth. 

“This is a great show, it’s been awesome, and it’s even better the fact that I can turn around and help support ASU, because I’m here, because of what they’ve done for me,” Mills said. 

Local businesses also participated in Lit’l Bita Christmas. Lolly Gourmet Pops, a popsicle stand located in Huntington Square hosted a booth. 

Russ Pierce, the owner of Lolly Gourmet Pops, said, “We’re happy to be connected to the community.” He said he and his wife enjoy staying connected to the community by having their business downtown. 

Lit’l Bita Christmas provided a space for people to sell their homemade crafts and food items, which in turn provided funds for scholarships for student athletes at Arkansas State University.

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