Gravette Day proves to be hot time

Pancake flippers Bob Kelley and Ken Foxx prepare for the Kiwanis breakfast on Saturday.

Pancake flippers Bob Kelley and Ken Foxx prepare for the Kiwanis breakfast on Saturday.

Friday, August 20, 2010

— Gravette Day on Saturday lived up to its reputation as a hot August day, with the temperature climbing to the 104-degree mark in mid afternoon.

The day started almost cool, with a slight drizzle which ended before parade time when more than 60 units took part in the 10 a.m. display of floats, pretty girls, fire trucks, some politicians, lots of GHS alumni entries, Shriners, horses ... and lots and lots of candy thrown from the various entries.

A huge crowd that attended the Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast as visitors, many of them former Gravette students and residents, rekindled memories with friends.

Following the parade, the Bank of Gravett held its annual “money drop” as a large crowd scrambled for the ping pong balls that registered prizes.

The park was filled to overflowing after the crowd, which lined Main and other streets along the parade route, moved to the park where they feasted on free watermelons from Arvest Bank, dunked cops, enjoyed snow cones, sandwiches and offerings by vendors. Kids enjoyed pony rides and jumped and slid and tumbled on several large inflatables.

Pageants from teeny tots through high school kept the large crowd in Kindley Park entertained, with the crowning of Miss Gravette 2010 being the highlight of the entertainment.

Ripped Pigeon, a local high school musical combo, provided lots of music, much reminiscent of an earlier era, to close out the organized entertainment.

In Old Town, the annual classic and antique car show, drew a crowd to view dozens of entries. The event, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club, offered many prizes. A list of winners will be published when provided.

All in all, it was a good Gravette Day which also featured tours of the new high school field house and the middle school band and choral facility.

The Gravette Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the events, has already begun planning for an even better and expanded celebration next year, said Chamber president Dan Yates. Persons should mark the second Saturday in August for Gravette’s 118th birthday celebration, he added.