CONWAY — This city’s annual Lights Over the Lake display is back on.
Acxiom Corp., a marketing-services company based in Little Rock, agreed to sponsor the July 3 event at Beaverfork Lake, the Conway mayor’s office announced Thursday.
Earlier this week, the City Council declined to spend the $8,000 needed for the annual event, which also includes a concert by the Conway Symphony Orchestra. Aldermen didn’t think it was right to fund the fireworks when the city could not fund community transportation needs for senior citizens and others.
“When I got the phone call from Jeff Standridge [of Acxiom] last night, that was a lot of relief,” Mayor Tab Townsell said Thursday.
“A lot of people, kids and families really enjoy” the celebration. “Acxiom has been such a good community partner over the years.”
In an e-mailed statement, Standridge, Acxiom’s vice president of global operations, said, “Conway is the original home of Acxiom Corporation, in addition to being our largest single location. We recognize that our partnership with Conway is a two-way street.
“It is an honor for us to support an opportunity for the entire community to come together,” he added.
Rhonda Cox, administrative assistant to the Conway Parks Department director, said the celebration will include an opening act starting about 7 p.m. followed by recognition of special guests, an honor guard and the national anthem. The symphony then will perform. The fireworks usually begin about 9:30 p.m., Cox said.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 06/25/2010