Making Memories at Gravette Day 2019
“Making Memories” is the theme for the 126th Gravette Day scheduled for Saturday, August 10th. This year’s event will include several new activities including a 5K Run/Walk, a Car Bash, and Main Street After Hours. The annual city celebration draws approximately 2,500 guests from across the area to the heart of Gravette.
The day will begin at 6:30 AM with the annual Kiwanis pancake breakfast at the Gravette Middle School cafeteria. The all-you-can-eat breakfast costs $5.00 per person and includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, and orange juice. There is no cost for children ages 6 and younger. Breakfast will be served until 10:00 AM. An Arkansas Razorback themed quilt created by Betty Howard will be raffled with proceeds going to support Kiwanis projects.
New this year is a Gravette Day 5K Run/Walk that will begin at 8:00 AM at Old Town Park with the route going through downtown Gravette. Proceeds from the Run/Walk will benefit the Shop with a Cop program in which officers with the Gravette Police Department take students from the Gravette School District shopping for Christmas. Children are nominated by the school counselor and come from a family who may have difficulty providing Christmas presents for their kids. The race will be chip-timed as is stroller and leashed dog friendly. The route map is available on the City of Gravette website at www.GravetteAR.com.
Also starting at 8:00 AM and continuing until 3:00 PM is an Arts and Crafts Show at the Gravette Civic Center. The art and craft show will feature local and regional artists and crafters in a variety of mediums.
Dutch Oven demonstrations will be held at the Gravette Historical Museum at 9:00 AM. Judging will take place at 1:00 PM. The public is invited to purchase bowls for $5.00 for use in the public tasting portion of the event which begins at 2:00 p.m. Winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m.
Sports fans can get a sneak peek of the 2019-2020 Gravette High School football team at football scrimmage at Lions Stadium from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM. Afterward, guided renovation tours will be held from 10:00 AM to noon at the Glenn Duffy Elementary and Gravette Middle Schools.
At Pop Allum Park, a skateboard and bicycle demonstration and friendly competition will be held from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the skate park. The public is invited to watch as riders from Benton County display their skills to the public.
The annual Gravette Day car show will take place on the 400 block of Charlotte St. SE with registration starting at 11:00 AM. Awards will be presented at 3:00 PM.
The Gravette Day Parade, beginning at noon, will feature Grand Marshal Steve Huckriede. Huckriede, a photographer, has documented local events and is known for his nature photographs, some of which are on display at several local businesses. Afterward, Mayor Kurt Maddox will welcome the public in an opening ceremony. Awards will be given for the youngest and oldest attendees as well as the person who travelled the farthest to attend Gravette Day. Gravette High School band and cheerleaders will lead a pep rally.
Food and vendor booths will open at Kindley Park beginning at 10 AM. A variety of food options will be available. The expanded vendor area will feature booths selling goods such as boutique clothing, purses, essential oils, jewelry, home décor, meal solutions, quilts and more. The Kids Zone will be open from 1:00 – 6:00 PM and will feature inflatables, a rock wall, and a 4-Person Bungee Trampoline, Tubs of Fun, and Wizzer, all of which are available for children to enjoy at no cost.
The Gravette Fire Department will host a Car Bash on Main Street after the parade. A rescue dummy will be placed inside a 1970’s era Mercury Sable and people may, for the cost of a $2 ticket, bash the vehicle with a variety of hammers for a one-minute period. Rescue personnel will demonstrate vehicle extrication skills by removing the dummy from the bashed car at approximately 3:00 PM. A Thompson Center Compass 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with a Leupold 3x9x40 scope will be raffled. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and may be purchased at the car bash. Proceeds of the car bash and raffle will go to the Gravette Women’s Auxiliary which supports the fire department.
Bottlerocket will take the stage at 1:30 PM. The band plays pop and rock music and has appeared at venues in northwest and central Arkansas.
Pageants will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Kindley Park and include Pretty Baby, Tiny Tot (girls and boys), Little Miss Toddler, Mr. Tiny Tot, Little Mister, Little Miss Petite, Little Miss, Miss Tween, Miss Preteen, Miss Teen Gravette, and Miss Gravette. Miss Teen Gravette Eveningwear and Crowning will take place at 6:50 p.m. with the Miss Gravette Eveningwear and Crowning following at 7:20 p.m.
The events will conclude with Main Street After Hours which will be held from 7:30 PM-9:30 PM. Activities will include karaoke, music, sidewalk art, yard games, a beer garden, and food vendors.
Registration forms for vendors, the 5K Run/Walk, parade entries, and pageants are available at www.GravetteAR.com.