Special Events

6 entertainment options for Race for the Cure participants

Regina Davis (left) and Jeremiah Cullum cook ground beef for their chili during last year’s Chili Fights in the Heights. This year’s event is Saturday, just one entertainment option for people in town for the Komen Race for the Cure.
Regina Davis (left) and Jeremiah Cullum cook ground beef for their chili during last year’s Chili Fights in the Heights. This year’s event is Saturday, just one entertainment option for people in town for the Komen Race for the Cure.

The 25th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is Saturday and that means people will flood in to Little Rock for the race, parade and other related activities.

But what about when the festivities end? Or the night before they start? There are plenty of things to do in the capital city to keep everyone entertained, educated, fed and watered.

One of the spiciest activities will be on Kavanaugh Boulevard in the Heights neighborhood where Chili Fights in the Heights will heat up the day, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.

Presented by the Hat Club of Little Rock with the Heights Neighborhood and Heights Business associations to benefit the Arkansas Foodbank, the event features about 40 teams cooking up their best chilis.

Charlie Porter, who's on the planning committee, says, "It's kind of a festive, tailgate-type atmosphere. A lot of people will have TVs going with football games. It's basically a big nonprofit fundraiser directed to get a lot of folks out in the neighborhood and have some fun and raise money for the Foodbank."

Activities will go on throughout but the serving of the chili starts at 2 p.m. Tasting kits are $5.

This year, the festival will be more spread out than in the past, taking up Kavanaugh Boulevard between North Taylor and North Polk streets, with, Porter says, "more offerings going on throughout the day as far as food, fun and entertainment."

That includes music and a variety of children's activities.

And for those who aren't big chili fans, there will be food trucks on-site selling other options. Be sure to take cash to buy beverages and tasting kits.

"Bring your appetite," Porter says. "Don't fill up too much at lunch. Plan to have some chili in the afternoon. There will be plenty to go around."

Visit hatclublr.com.

Here are a few other options:

• Not far from the Chili Fights, the Hillcrest Merchants Association will block off Kavanaugh Boulevard between Monroe and Walnut streets for a gathering of food trucks, music, vendors, beer garden, children's activities and a gumbo cook-off. The annual HarvestFest in Hillcrest is open 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday and general admission is free. Visit harvestfest.us.

• The night before the race, participants and supporters can sample what Arkansas has to offer at the Craft Beer Festival, 6-9 p.m. Friday at 122 E. Fourth St., North Little Rock. More than 35 regional and national craft breweries including Blue Canoe, Flyway and Lost Forty will pass out samples while food trucks and a DJ supply the bites and tunes. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Visit centralarkansastickets.com.

• Also the night before, eat, drink, shop and support black-owned businesses at the Little Rock Night Market, 5-9 p.m. Friday at Bernice Garden, 1401 S. Main St., Little Rock. The restaurants and artisans will be joined by entertainers Rodney Block, MarQuis & Mood and Afrodesia. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/events/482202468942392.

• For something a little harder, the Arkansas Whiskey Festival serves a diverse collection of distilled spirits from around the world with tastings, food pairings and lessons in all-things whiskey. The festival is 4-7 p.m. Saturday at 400 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, with VIP admission at 3 p.m. Tickets are $40-$250 plus fees. Visit eventbrite.com.

• Halloween may be over, but the thrills can continue. Club Sway, 412 S. Louisiana St., Little Rock, presents The Rocky Horror Show. Shows continue at 8:30 p.m. nightly through Saturday. Tickets are $20-$25 and prop bags are an additional $5. (501) 777-5428 or visit clubsway.com.

Weekend on 11/01/2018

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