New festival

Bash on the Boulevard set for Sept. 10

Julia Everett, left, executive assistant for the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, and Alicia Gillen, 
executive director, stand together as they prepare for the first Bash on the Boulevard, scheduled for noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Town Centre.
Julia Everett, left, executive assistant for the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, and Alicia Gillen, executive director, stand together as they prepare for the first Bash on the Boulevard, scheduled for noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Town Centre.

Alicia Gillen, executive director of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, said some residents have forgotten they live in a small town.

She wants to remind them by throwing a party.

Bash on the Boulevard is scheduled from noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Town Centre parking lot, 115 Audubon Drive. The shopping center is parallel to Maumelle Boulevard.

“I’m really excited. This is the first festival the chamber is going to be putting on in the city of Maumelle,” Gillen said.

Gillen said the day will be full of activities and performances, with the main act, Tragikly White, performing at 8 p.m.

“We’re still securing acts leading up to that,” she said.

During the day, local gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders and other performers will be highlighted, she said.

The free-admission festival includes a kids zone, as well as a game-day area for people to watch the Texas Christian University-Razorback game.

“There will be a little lounge area where they sit and watch the game, which is right next to the fabulous beer garden,” she said.

Gillen said at least 100 vendors will participate in Bash on the Boulevard.

“We’ll have businesses vendors — arts and crafts, those entrepreneurs who have those home-based businesses, dentists, bankers, insurance agents, real estate agents. We really wanted this event to connect our community and be economy-driven and really connect our residents to our local businesses.”

Maumelle Mayor Mike Watson said the festival will benefit the city and its residents.

“As this is a new festival in Maumelle, we anticipate that it will attract visitors, who will have a chance to experience Maumelle’s family-friendly atmosphere,” Watson said. “In addition, it will provide Maumelle residents a chance to enjoy food, music, football and children’s activities with their families and friends without leaving the city. Equally important, it will give everyone a chance to connect with our local businesses and the sponsors of the bash — what could be better than that?”

Chamber board member Liliana MacPhee said Bash on the Boulevard is shaping up to be a big event.

“I’m excited about it because it’s a new event. I hope we get enough participation for it,”

she said.

Gillen said the response from businesses has been great.

“They’re ecstatic,” she said. Vendor registration forms are on the website www.maumellechamber.com.

“There is early-bird pricing, electric spots and nonelectric spots. They cannot sell any food or drink, but that’s all on there,” she said.

Food trucks will be on-site, however.

The festival will be run mostly by volunteers from the Maumelle Parks and Recreation, Police and Fire departments.

The Miss Maumelle Natural Beauty Pageant will take place from 2-4 p.m., the first city pageant in several years, Gillen said.

“It’s something we hope to bring back to the area,” she said.

She said a “natural beauty pageant” means no heavy makeup for contestants.

“We’re making sure everyone knows — no makeup; Sunday best, no rhinestones,” she said.

The pageant has eight categories for contestants, from birth to age 19. Gillen said the older contestants can wear a hint of makeup — mascara and lip gloss — “but no heavy makeup application.”

The cost to enter the pageant is $40, and entry forms are on the chamber website.

Beginning at 4 p.m., local acts, bands and talent groups will perform, Gillen said, leading up to Tragikly White’s performance.

“The reason why we’re doing this event, proceeds will go to help raise funds to promote economic development and promote entrepreneurship opportunities in the area,” she said.

“I think Maumelle forgets it’s a small town because [of our] proximity to Little Rock,”

Gillen said. “I think it’s just exciting that you get out and meet your neighbors, support the local businesses and connect with your community.”

Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.

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