SEARCY — White County residents can usher in the fall season with the seventh annual Get Down Downtown Festival in Searcy on Friday and Saturday. The event, presented by Main Street Searcy and sponsored by BHP Billiton, is becoming a tradition for area residents, said Amy Burton, executive director for the nonprofit Main Street Searcy.
“We have gotten a very positive response from the community,” Burton said of the event. “I had someone tell me recently that Get Down Downtown kicks off fall for them.”
The festival, which has free admission, will include entertainment on the White County Courthouse Square and in Spring Park.
“We are really stepping it up with animals this year,” Burton said, noting that Rudy Roo Roo, a baby kangaroo, will be on hand in Spring Park. Children will also have access to a full petting zoo with animals from Cockrill’s Country Critters, as well as pony rides. Several local choirs, dance teams and spirit squads will perform throughout the day Saturday on the Southwestern Energy Stage in Spring Park.
Get Down Downtown will host its second annual car show on the west side of Spring Park from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Prizes and awards will be given in several categories. The entry fee for showcasing a vehicle is $20 and can be paid the day of the show, with proceeds to benefit Main Street Searcy. For more information on the car show, call Jason Barnett at (501) 281-3632 or Dwayne LaForce at (501) 593-5872.
Musical entertainment will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday with the Dixan Project on the Quattlebaum Music Center Stage in the White County Courthouse Square. The contemporary duo consists of Jordan Mack and Dixie Hardin, who are worship leaders at Renew Community Church in Cabot. They will be followed at 7 p.m. by the bluegrass sounds of the Clark Family Trio, featuring guitarist Bill Nesbitt. The headliner of the evening will be gospel act The Nelsons at 8 p.m.
Country group Ricochet will headline Saturday’s Quattlebaum Stage slate of entertainment. Billed as “the hardest-working country band in country music,” Ricochet has performed thousands of shows over a span of 15 years. Perhaps best known for the singles “What Do I Know” and “Daddy’s Money,” they have the distinction of being the only country band to chart the national anthem. In addition to concert venues, they have performed for the armed services, at sporting events and on network television and are set to take the stage at Get Down Downtown at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Local favorite Foundation 3 will open Saturday’s entertainment at 10 a.m. on the Quattlebaum Stage. The group blends Jana Hammond’s country influence with Brad Bates’ and Kristy Melton’s contemporary Christian stylings.
Besides musical entertainment and vendors, other events during the weekend will include a bridal fair in Robbins Sanford Hall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Former Congressman Ed Bethune will hold a book signing and author’s talk in the courtroom of the White County Courthouse at 1 p.m. Friday.
Burton said the downtown Searcy area makes the perfect location for a festival such as Get Down Downtown. She hopes festivalgoers will take notice of the newly completed veterans mural on Market Street between Lightle Appraising and BRM Foods. Burton said the mural was created in conjunction with Harding University’s art department and that the lot where the mural is located was paved for Main Street Searcy by Cox Paving of Bald Knob and Delta Asphalt.
Main Street Searcy is dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Searcy. Burton said members of the organization are excited to announce that “a new home for Santa” on the courthouse square will be unveiled for this year’s holiday season. The Santa Hut was obtained with grant funding, she said.
For more information on Get Down Downtown, including a complete list of entertainment, visit Main Street Searcy on Facebook and click on the festival’s link. Get Down Downtown T-shirts will be available for purchase throughout the weekend for $10. Sizes include youth sizes S-M and adult S-XXXL.