GRAVETTE -- Members of the Gravette Lions Club, including Mayor Kurt Maddox, gathered at the new human foosball court in Pop Allum Park at 6 p.m. Saturday evening for a dedication ceremony. Also attending was Danny White, owner of Cardinal Pawn, who proposed the idea and provided materials for the court. A ribbon cutting was held to officially open the city's newest recreational opportunity. White, Maddox and Lions Al Blair, Jeff Davis, Bill Mattler, Sue Rice, Howard and Karen Benson participated in the ceremony.
A few visitors to the park played impromptu foosball games to kick off the evening's activities, but there were other attractions at the city's annual Independence Day celebration. Families gathered, picked a spot and set up chairs or spread blankets to await the big fireworks show. Children drifted off to enjoy the bounce house, get their faces painted by Crystal Strahan of Bella Vista or romp on the nearby baseball field.
Music was provided by Century Sounds, which played a mix of country, rock, rap and dance music. Food trucks were set up and provided shaved ice, nachos, Italian food, funnel cakes, ice cream and other frozen treats. Melissa Steele, director, and other representatives of the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center set up a booth and sold jewelry and tickets for its hybrid grill drawing July 27.
The music, the food, the visits with friends and family, and activities to help the youngsters blow off steam provided the perfect background for an enjoyable early summer celebration. Finally, as darkness fell, came the awaited finale to the evening's events, the fireworks display which is always one of the best in the area. The show was awe-inspiring, and several families lingered afterward to shoot off their own displays at the ballfield while the crowd made its way home.
Community on 07/04/2018