SUMMER FUN GUIDE – JonesboroRightNow.com – Getting out in your community and spending time with people at various festivals and events can be a great way to spend your summer. We’ve compiled a list of all kinds of festivals and events happening across NEA this summer.
9th Annual Juneteenth in Jonesboro
- When: June 12-19
- Where: Different locations across Jonesboro
- Details: This weeklong celebration hosted by KLEK 102.5 will include all sorts of events, including the Juneteenth Parade at 9:30 a.m., a community worship service, and a jazz concert. It will conclude on June 19 with the Juneteenth Fireworks Celebration, which will take place at 9:15 p.m. at University Lions Park, located at 502 1/2 N. Bridge St. For more information, click here.
Community Fest
- When: June 20, beginning at 11 a.m.
- Where: Hoxie Community Center, 506 S.W. Lawrence St., Hoxie
- Details: This event will include free hot dogs and drinks and will have live music and opportunities to play in the water.
Writers’ Retreat at Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center
- When: June 22-26
- Where: Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center, 1021 W. Cherry St., Piggott
- Cost: $325 for the general public, or $300 for museum members
- Details: Writers wishing to hone their craft can do so at the very place where Ernest Hemingway wrote, as well as collaborate with their fellow writers. Activities include reading, writing, mentoring, and a reading from writer-in-residence Greg Brownderville on June 26 at 2 p.m.
Pack the Park
- When: June 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Labor Park, 309 S. 6th Ave., Paragould
- Details: This event will include a skateboard competition, live music, different community organizations, free burgers and hotdogs, and more.
Living Lyrics and Forgotten Feasts Reading Retreat
- When: July 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, 117 N. Main St., Tyronza
- Cost: $60. Register for the event here.
- Details: This event will examine historic American foods and music and intends to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
NEA Game Fest
- When: July 16-19
- Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 2840 S. Caraway Road, Jonesboro
- Details: This four-day event is hosted by the NEA Gamers Guild and raises money for the Friends of the Craighead County Library. It includes open gaming, game demos, board games, RPGs, tournaments, and more.
Standing Strong: Standing Self-Defense Seminar
- When: July 18, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Where: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jonesboro, 3211 Ben J Lamberth Drive, Unit A, Jonesboro
- Details: This class, which is for ages 13 and up, will teach basic self-defense skills, such as weapon and grab defenses. Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor Austin Morgan will teach the class. It is free to attend, but space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with questions should contact the business.
Cave City Watermelon Festival
- When: July 23-25
- Where: City Park, W. South St., Cave City
- Details: This event celebrates the “world’s sweetest watermelons” grown right in Cave City. It will have food trucks, vendors, plenty of live music and concerts, arts and crafts, and all sorts of different watermelon-based competitions.
Big Grass Bluegrass Festival
- When: July 24-25
- Where: Historic Collins Theatre, 120 W. Emerson St., Paragould
- Details: Enjoy several bluegrass acts this weekend, including Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Wood Box Heroes, Ramblin’ Heart, High Fidelity, Williamson Branch, and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Tickets are required for the shows, click here for more information.
Bluegrass and Fried Chicken Festival
- When: Aug. 21-22
- Where: Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Ave., Mountain View
- Cost: Ticket costs depend on the number of shows one wants to see, and if one wants admission to the fried chicken buffet. More information here.
- Details: The Folk Center’s Skillet Restaurant will serve an all-you-can-eat fried chicken buffet before a night of bluegrass performances by the likes of Mountain Highway, The Gravel Yard, Mountain Heirs, Adam Fudge, and more. In addition, tickets include admission to the Craft Village, where visitors can listen to live music, craft demos, shop, and more.
Miracle Kids Annual Summer Block Party
- When: Aug. 22, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Cedar Park, Trumann
- Cost: Free
- Details: This event will have hot dogs, bounce houses, various community vendors, a petting zoo, free haircuts for kids, and more.
