Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon's Birthday Is Theme For Festival

"Happy Birthday, Gurdon" will be the theme for the 20th annual Gurdon Forest Festival to be held Saturday, October 28.

According to festival coordinator, Freddie Horne, Gurdon will be celebrating its 120th year as an incorporated town.

The first Forest Festival was held in 1980 for Gurdon's 100th birthday. Since that time the annual festival has grown into one of the largest and most popular small-town festivals in Arkansas.

Artisans from across the Ark-La-Tex travel to Gurdon each year to show their wares and participate in the show. Special talent is always featured on the bandstand and outstanding food vendors provide refreshments for the crowds that have surpassed 6,000 in the past years.

Family and school class reunions, political speakers and festival royalty are other highlights of the festival. This year's big event will include birthday cake and ice cream for everyone.

The continued success of the festival is due in part to the outstanding support shown by local businesses, commercial sponsors, community leaders, city government, county officials and special efforts put forth by the members of the Gurdon Community Development and Entertainment Club (CD&E). The festival has become a focal point for the community and has created a feeling of teamwork and civic pride for all those who have taken part.

The CD&E Club takes pride in presenting the Gurdon Forest Festival for the citizens of Gurdon, Clark County and South Arkansas. Club members wish to issue a special invitation to everyone to take part in the festival and be in attendance for the "Big Birthday Bash" the last Saturday in October.