GRAVETTE — Gravette Day, Gravette’s 118th birthday celebration this year, will be a three-day event and many of the activities will be moved to a new location.

Scheduled August 9, 10 and 11, the primary location will not be at a “completely new site” since it will be centered in Old Town Park.

Old Town Park acquired its name because Nebo, a small community which preceded the founding of Gravette, was located in the narrow valley.

Dan Yates, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said Kindley Park, where celebrations have been held in recent years, has become crowded with newly planted trees and additional playground equipment.

This year’s three-day affair will feature the usual activities including a talent contest, beauty pageant, children’s pageants, a poker run, pancake breakfast, Saturday morning parade, archery competition and a return of the once-popular 5-K run.

There will be musical entertainment, high school alumni reunions and a general carnival atmosphere. There will also be a baseball tournament at Pop Allum Park. A final schedule will be announced by the Chamber, which sponsors the celebration.

The city has added additional electrical circuits in Old Town Park in the valley just east of the downtown area. The steps leading into the park have been restored, and the area is being groomed to accommodate the many booths that will be set up.

For many years, during the city’s early history, what was celebrated as the “Gravette Picnic” was held in Kindley Memorial Park. Later, when a carnival became a primary attraction, the festivities moved to Old Town Park.

Early celebrations usually featured many political speakers, various entertainment and even balloon ascensions. The one-day celebration was a fun time for families throughout the area to “come to town” and join in meeting new friends, reminiscing and just relaxing from home-life activities.

News, Pages 7 on 05/09/2012