HOT SPRINGS -- For the first time, the Hot Springs Community Resource Fair will be held in conjunction with two other annual events, the Back to School Bash and Samaritan's Feet shoe giveaway, which suits the theme of this year's event, 'When We All Come Together." Activities are to kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Hot Springs Farmers and Artisans Market.
The sixth annual fair is hosted by the Difference Makers of Hot Springs in partnership with UAMS (CPEARL); Blue & You Foundation; the Hot Springs Martin Luther King Jr. Committee; First Lutheran Church; Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services Prevention Program; Rise Above Alcohol & Drugs; and the city of Hot Springs.
Normally the event is preceded by a banquet the night before and is held on the street outside the Webb Community Center, but in light of covid-19 concerns the banquet was canceled and organizers opted to move to the site of the market at 121 Orange St.
"We had really outgrown that spot anyway," the Rev. Willie Wade Jr., founder and president of the Difference Makers, told The Sentinel-Record on Thursday, noting that it had become "somewhat of a tradition" to hold it near the Webb Center, and "we always wanted to include the Webb Center in what we were doing."
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He said the change will allow room to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coronavirus prevention safety guidelines.
Wade said the Samaritan's Feet organizers plan to hand out 500 pairs of tennis shoes.
Five to six stations will be set up under the market's pavilion for handing out the shoes, with other tents, booths and tables spread out nearby. "We want to make sure there is room for everyone to move around without any danger," he said.
"In light of covid-19, this year's event focus will be a little different as we seek to be a benefit to families during this time of social restrictions and economic down-turn. Our goal is to provide resources to children returning to school and families that are experiencing economic struggles," a news release said.
It said the event will provide free backpacks filled with school supplies, the tennis shoe giveaway, door prizes, free food and various community resources and services, including free covid-19 testing by Healthy Connections, voter registration, absentee voting, census response assistance, free books for children provided by Hot Springs School District's Book Bus, and musical entertainment.
Even though the banquet is canceled, Wade said plans are to still hold the annual Community Living Legends awards, "honoring those advocates who have done good work in the community."
The 2020 Class of Community Living Legend Honorees includes City Director Elaine Jones, District 2; Fred Leonard with Recognizing Everyone's Gifts And Respecting Diversity, or REGARD; the Rev. Donald Crossley Sr. of St. Mark Baptist Church; and Cheryl Batts, president and founder of People Helping Others Excel by Example and the Uzuri Project.
Also, the first posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award will honor the late Bearbra Coleman Sr., the originator of community events such as "Back to School Block Party," "Juneteenth Celebration," "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade," and "Halloween Hunted House," the release said.
Between the free shoes and free books, Wade said he is hoping for "a huge turnout," noting "we want to provide as much stuff as we can and are asking vendors to bring as many supplies as they can to give out and provide for the community."
He said the door prizes and other giveaways will be "more for families than just the children," since there will already be the shoes and books given out. "It will be a lot of gift cards from different businesses so they can get what they need."
Face coverings are required to attend, and social distancing guidelines will be followed and enforced, the release said, noting that people should also remember to take along lawn chairs for seating.