GRAVETTE — Gravette’s 119th birthday party - Gravette Days, 2012 - will be a three-day celebration. And this year most of the activities will take place in Old Town Park. This was the site of those early-day parties - they were called The Gravette Picnic - when folks for miles around would come to town and spend the day and evening celebrating the founding of Gravette in 1893.
The theme of the Picnic is “Remembering Those Who Got Us Here,” and a float in the parade will highlight that theme. The parade will start at 10 a.m., moving west along Charlotte Street, north on Highway 59 and then east on Main to Old Town Park.
A complete schedule of events for the three days of activities is found on page 5 of a special supplement in this week’s Westside Eagle Observer.
A talent show for talented residents of the area to perform for an admiring public will be held in Old Town Park Friday evening, starting at 5:30 p.m.
One of the features of the party will be the Miss Gravette competition held at 7 p.m. on Friday in the high school Performing Arts Center. The crowning ceremony will be held in Old Town following the parade Saturday morning. Other various-age pageants will be held following that ceremony.
In the park - that’s Old Town - there will be booths See FESTIVAL Page 5Awith food and drinks, crafts, educational topics, free watermelon and other surprises which all can enjoy. For the kids there will be a rock wall to climb, slides and lots of bounce areas.
The fire department will have activities and the smoke house for kids, starting at noon, behind the competition gym, followed by a muster.
Parking/Other Information
The Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsor for the celebration, provides the following information to assist persons attending the events in Old Town:
Entrance can be gained by going east on Main Street or east on Highway 72 to the big picnic sign.
There will be “no parking” down in the Old Town valley. A turn-around for unloading passengers will be available there for those who may have difficulty with the steps or grass. Assistance will be available.
Parking is available, and it’s free, in the Shepherd’s Chapel parking lot and also on Hendren property where the car show is usually held.
For their comfort, attendees may wish to bring lawn chairs. Other seating will be provided. Restrooms will be on-site.
The entertainment will be on a portable stage (truck bed), with plans being discussed for a permanent stage next year.
New lighting has been installed and power sources have been installed for booths.
The replaced 1933-vintage steps leading into the park can be walked justas they were for so many years in the 1900s.
As an aside, people may wish to bring umbrellas - just in case a shower may cool off the crowd as it has during several celebrations.
Dan Yates, president of the Chamber, and all its members, issue a special invitation to all to come and enjoy the activities and entertainment. A special welcome is for several GHS Alumni classes which will be holding reunions.
Come and enjoy. Reminisce with old friends and make new ones. Rekindle old memories while creating new ones. Have a safe, fun time as Gravette celebrates with the aim of returning to help make birthday number 120, next year, even better.
News, Pages 1 on 08/08/2012