Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Forest Festivities Set

Over 90 arts and crafts booths have been booked so far for the 17th annual Gurdon Forest Festival, according to Freddie Horne, festival coordinator. Organizers expect the number to exceed last year's total of 115.

All food booths have been booked and will feature different types of foods, including barbecue, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes and other specialities.

The festival, the largest such event in Clark County, has grown over the years into one of the largest `small town' shows in south Arkansas with attendance reaching over 5,000, according to Horne. The annual event brings community and business people together to show their support for the forest industry and the importaance it has to the region.

"The festival is well supported by the community and is recognized around the state for its success and growth," Horne said. The festival has become a highlight each fall for community organizations to work together to produce an outstanding hometown atmosphere for community development and entertainment, for family and high school reunions and for just "plain old fun for everyone."

Booths for the festival, which rent for $15 each, will open at 8:00 Saturday, October 25. All types of arts and crafts will be on display along with commercial and novelty products.

A parade is scheduled for 10:00. The bandstand shows will begin at 11:00 a.m. featuring talent from around the state.

War Memorial Park Midway show will open on Second Street early that morning.

Grand opening events will take place at the main bandstand at noon with the introduction of beauty pageant winners, welcome from city and county officials and political speeches from local candidates, if any.

Special events throughout the day will include an antique and classic car show, log loading contests, jail, dunking booth, Halloween costume contest, games, rides and a big street dance that night. A CD&E Club auction will be held at the main bandstand at 4:00 p.m.

Events of the day will be open to the public at no charge.

The Forest Festival is sponsored by Gurdon Community Development and Entertainment (CD&E) Club, under the direction of Horne.

Funds generated from the project go to support club activities, such as the CD&E Club college scholarship fund, delegates to Boys State and Girls State, Gurdon Senior Adult Center, computers for the local schools and for community development and entertainment.

"The CD&E Club is proud to be a part of the Gurdon community and strives to promote Gurdon and all of Clark County in its many projects," Horne said. "The club also salutes all the participants, both large and small, for their contriubtions. Businesses and communities working hand- in-hand have brought about this successful event."

If you or your club would like to be a part of this festival program, you can contact Horne at 7104 Highway 67 S, Gurdon, AR 71743, or you can call 887-353-2588.

For information about the car show, contact Terry Norris at 870-353- 2947. The beauty pageants, which were held last Saturday, are under the direction of Paul Shaver and Billy Wells.

For information on the logging games, contact Jessie Runyan at International Paper Logging, 353-2567.