Full day set for annual Gravette Day celebration

Miss Gravette Candidate . . . Among the candidates for the title of Miss Gravette 2010 are Skyler Warren (left), Skyler Pierce, Amber Jacobs, Shelby Newell, Deserae Fisher, Lauren Kara and Stormi Pierce. Other contestants not pictured are Christina Lovell, Kaitlynn Britton, Jacquelynn Janes, Addison Renfrow and Breanna Chestnut.

Miss Gravette Candidate . . . Among the candidates for the title of Miss Gravette 2010 are Skyler Warren (left), Skyler Pierce, Amber Jacobs, Shelby Newell, Deserae Fisher, Lauren Kara and Stormi Pierce. Other contestants not pictured are Christina Lovell, Kaitlynn Britton, Jacquelynn Janes, Addison Renfrow and Breanna Chestnut.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

— Twelve Gravette area young ladies will be vying for the title of Miss Gravette in the annual Gravette Day celebration this weekend.

The pageant, one of several scheduled as part of the celebration, will be held Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the High School Performing Arts Center. The pageant, built around the theme “Footloose,” will not only feature the girls in their formal and casual wear, but also various acts for an evening of entertainment.

Parade begins at 10

A major change in Gravette’s birthday party will be an earlier parade time, which traditionally has been at noon.

The parade this year will kick off at 10 a.m. from its usual starting point, the intersection of Arkansas Highway 59 and Charlotte Street. Parade units will begin assembling earlier along Charlotte Street and on parking lots east. The parade will follow its usual route, from Charlotte north on Highway 59 to Main Street, then east on Main to Kindley Memorial Park.

Full day planned

The traditional Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast is scheduled from 7 to 9 a.m. at the middle school cafeteria. Proceeds will be used for the club’s community projects.

Gravette’s Farmers’ Market will be operating this year in Old Town Park, starting at 8:30 a.m., according to the Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the Gravette celebration.

Following the parade, the Bank of Gravett will hold its annual “Money Toss” in front of the bank on Main Street. Beginning at 11 a.m., various food and activity booths will be operating in Kindley Memorial Park for the rest of the day.

At 11 a.m. and continuing until 1:30 p.m., pageants for various age groups will be held in the park, with a slight break at 12:15 p.m. for the crowning of Miss Gravette 2010.

At 11:30 a.m. registration for the classic/antique car show will be ongoing at Old Town Park, with judging at 1 p.m. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m.

Entertainment set

Four Gravette young men will be showing off their talents with a performance from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Kindley Park. The four, three of them graduates of Gravette High School this spring, the other a high school junior, call themselves “Ripped Pigeon.” They will perform many of the same songs which they recorded on CD for the crowds gathering in the park to enjoy. There is no admission.

Tours to be offered

An aside to complement this year’s Gravette Day will be a chance for everyone to tour the new high school fieldhouse and a new band and choir building located at the middle school campus. Open-house tours will be available at both buildings.

Organized activities at Kindley Park will end following the Ripped Pigeon performance but, according to Dan Yates, there will be lots of fun and food in the park for celebrants to enjoy during the late afternoon and evening hours.

He and the Chamber and all involved with the celebration welcome all to the celebration and extend a special welcome to all GHS alumni and former graduates who will be in town for their class reunions.

Avenue of flags

The Avenue of Flags in Hillcrest Cemetery will be flying over the Gravette Day weekend, according to J. R. Gibbs, adjutant of American Legion Post 25.

The flags will be raised Friday, August 13, at 8 a.m. and fly continuously until 5 p.m. Sunday, August 15.

“Legion Post 25 always welcomes the assistance of individuals in performing this patriotic duty,” Gibbs said.