Dazzle Daze benefits Conway Regional

Amy Reed, left, director for development at Central Baptist College in Conway, and Pam Sims, personal enrollment officer, stand together on campus. They are co-chairwomen of the 16th annual Dazzle Daze, the Conway Regional Women’s Council’s annual fundraiser for the health system. The three-day shopping event is scheduled Thursday through Saturday at the Conway Expo Center.
Amy Reed, left, director for development at Central Baptist College in Conway, and Pam Sims, personal enrollment officer, stand together on campus. They are co-chairwomen of the 16th annual Dazzle Daze, the Conway Regional Women’s Council’s annual fundraiser for the health system. The three-day shopping event is scheduled Thursday through Saturday at the Conway Expo Center.

CONWAY — It’s time once again for holiday shopping, food, fun and prizes — and more shopping — at the 16th annual Dazzle Daze, which benefits the Conway Regional Health System.

The event, sponsored by the Conway Regional Women’s Council, is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday at the Conway Expo Center, 2505 E. Oak St.

The event will open at 6 p.m. Thursday with Girls’ Night Out, when women can get a head start on their shopping, partake of heavy hors d’oeuvres and get their pictures made by photographer Donna Evans. Swag bags with goodies will be available for the first 500 shoppers. Prizes will be awarded from Kendra Scott jewelry and Conway Women’s Med Spa.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 the day of the event.

General shopping is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7.50 per day.

Pam Sims, who is co-chairing the event with Amy Reed, said she expects shoppers to be happy with the variety of vendors this year.

In addition to new vendors, “our tried-and-true come back every year,” she said. “A lot of times, things go in waves. A few years ago, it was Christmas decorations. Everywhere you went were glitter and mesh. We’ve seen a shift to interest in skin care, more healthy alternatives to things that fit our everyday lives. “

Sims said several vendors will sell clothes and jewelry, which are always popular.

“We’re excited about that,” she said. “We have a full house of vendors. I know that we are almost at capacity.”

Sims said items for men will be available as well.

The grand prize each year is a new vehicle, and raffle tickets are being sold for a 2017 Ford Mustang convertible, valued at $31,500, from Smith Ford in Conway. Tickets are $100 and limited to 500 sold. Call

(501) 513-5191 for more information, or go to www.dazzledaze.com for a list of raffle-ticket outlets.

“Right now, we have lots of tickets,” Sims said.

Other prizes include the following:

• Second prize: Vintage his-and-hers Louis Vuitton Keepall bags, a $2,000 value, donated by Braswell & Son.

• Third prize: A 14-karat white-gold dancing-diamond pendant, a $1,600 value, donated by Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry.

• Fourth prize: A Traeger wood-fired grill and a meat gift certificate, a $1,200 value, donated by Moix RV and

Circle Maker Farms.

• Fifth prize: A furniture gift certificate, a $1,000 value, donated by Cajun Brothers Furniture.

The raffle drawing will be at 3:45 p.m. Saturday.

Sims said that for the second year, a free teddy bear clinic will be included in Dazzle Daze. It is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon and from

4-7 p.m Friday, and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Children can bring their favorite stuffed animals, or teddy bears will be available to buy for $5.

“We’re going to have a big display that’s going to look like a clinic, and [the children are] going to get to come in and dress up like doctors,” Sims said. Nurse practitioners will participate, Sims said, and one of the goals of the activity is to make children less afraid of going to the doctor.

Children will see the friendly faces of Santa and Mrs. Claus, too, who will take a break from their hectic holiday schedule to pose for photos from 10 a.m. to noon Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Photo packages will be available for purchase.

Sims, who was also a co-chairwoman last year, said she’s often asked about her favorite part of Dazzle Daze.

“I’m usually there from the time the event starts setting up till the time it’s over. I love just mingling with the women when they come in and shop, seeing their laughter, … but it has a purpose.” She said it’s satisfying to know “that we’re actually doing something great from our community.”

Reed, who agreed with her co-chair, has been on the Women’s Council for about 15 years and has been a member of the Dazzle Daze Committee almost that long.

“I love the community of just the women. I love the excitement. I am a glitter-and-sprinkles kind of girl. I love the holiday season,” Reed said. “It’s just a time that we can all get together and not just have fun, but give back to the hospital, combined in a way we could never do as an individual.”

The event has raised more than $650,000 since it started. Proceeds go to medical scholarships, equipment, and support for patient and community programs. Last year, proceeds went for the purchase of a 3-D mammography machine.

More information about the event is available at www.dazzledaze.com.

Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.

Upcoming Events