Downtown Springdale Announces Luther George Park Revival Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Assets HERE
September 10, 2024
Contact: Jill Dabbs, Executive Director
Downtown Springdale
jill@downtownspringdale.org
(501) 425-0478
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springdale, AR – The Downtown Springdale Alliance is thrilled to announce the Luther George Park Revival Weekend, presented by George’s Inc., taking place on Friday, October 11th, and Saturday, October 12th, 2024. This two-day fall celebration marks the grand reopening of Luther George Park, showcasing its stunning new design and offering a variety of community activities, live performances, and family-friendly events. This event is free and open to the public.
Event Schedule:
Friday, October 11th:
4:00 PM: Friends of the Park Happy Hour with Live Music by Los Veleros (Ticketed event)
5:30 PM: Doors Open to the Public
5:30 PM: Performance by Mezclave
7:30 PM: Performance by Jenee Fleenor and the Wood Box Heroes
9:30 PM: The Medium Presents Groundwaves Hip Hop Experience
Saturday, October 12th:
8:45 AM: Jones Center Presents Yoga with Artist Craig Collorusso’s Sun Boxes
9:30 AM: Free Breakfast (Breakfast burritos and tacos) provided by Mr. Taco Loco and Casa Alejo
10:30 AM: Bring your instruments and join Jenee for "Pickin' with Jenee”, where the community is invited to gather in a traditional pickin' circle.
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Enjoy a picnic at the park from local food trucks and downtown businesses.
12:00 PM: Performance by Papa Rap’s ArkanSalsa Band.
Event Descriptions:
Friday, October 11th:
Friends of the Park Happy Hour: Kick off the weekend with a special ticketed event, offering a unique opportunity for those who have supported the park's redevelopment or are interested in future programming. Attendees will enjoy drinks from Black Apple Hard Cider and Social Project Brewing Co., along with conversations with the park's architect, all while exploring the revitalized space to the sounds of Latin jazz by Los Veleros. Purchase your tickets here.
At 5:30 PM, the public is invited to join the festivities. Bring your chairs and picnic blankets to fully experience the park's transformation as Mezclave jumpstarts the evening with a dynamic blend of Latin jazz and salsa, accompanied by a variety of food trucks and vendors.
Jenee Fleenor and The Wood Box Heroes take the stage at 7:30 PM, five-time Country Music Association Musician of the Year, Jenee Fleenor, will be returning to her hometown of Springdale, Arkansas for this special performance with her band the Wood Box Heroes.
The night continues with The Medium Presents Groundwaves Showcase: featuring a stellar lineup of NWA's finest hip-hop talent at 10:00 PM. As the music plays, enjoy captivating projections that light up the stage by Ikshana Visuals
Saturday, October 12th:
Begin your Saturday with an invigorating Yoga Session at 8:45 AM, presented by The Jones Center, set against the backdrop of artist Craig Collorusso’s Sun Boxes—a unique solar-powered sound installation that creates a serene atmosphere.
Enjoy a Free Breakfast starting at 9:30 AM, featuring delicious breakfast burritos and tacos, courtesy of Mr. Taco Loco and Casa Alejo.
At 10:30 AM, join Jenee Fleenor for an intimate Pickin’ with Jenee, where the community is invited to gather in a traditional pickin' circle.
From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the Picnic in the Park invites families to relax and enjoy the outdoors with s'mores, hayrides, and other fun activities for a day of family fun. Visit your favorite downtown restaurants and grab some food and drinks for a Picnic in the Park.
The day’s events are capped off at 12:00 PM with a performance by Papa Rap’s ArkanSalsa Band, whose upbeat music and positive messages make him a favorite among audiences of all ages.
About Luther George Park’s Redesign
Luther George Park has undergone a visionary transformation, conceived in collaboration with landscape architects Spackman Mossop Michaels. The park now serves as a connective gateway, bridging the active corridor of the Razorback Greenway with the vibrant life of Emma Avenue. Located along Spring Creek in Downtown Springdale, the park promotes healthy community engagement by providing a sustainable venue for recreation, play, and outdoor performances.
The centerpiece of the park is the Performance Pavilion, designed by Trahan Architects. Situated on the park’s central axis, the pavilion features a dynamic form that twists and straddles the pathway, creating an inviting gateway into the park. Fronting the great lawn, the pavilion can host performances for up to 3,000 people. Its innovative dual-sided design also allows for smaller events, such as movie nights, accommodating 50-100 attendees. When not in use for performances, the pavilion serves as a shade canopy, welcoming the community to gather under its sculptural, wing-like form. A curving ramp and earth berm seamlessly blend the stage platform with the surrounding landscape, ensuring equal access for all visitors.
The park’s redevelopment has been made possible through the dedicated efforts of the City of Springdale and the Downtown Springdale Alliance. The Downtown Springdale Alliance led a community design process from 2019 to 2021 funded by a Walton Family Foundation Design Excellence Grant. Then immediately following design successfully assisted the city in a capital campaign to raise $12.5 million for construction. The City of Springdale broke ground on the project in October 2022. Gifts from Claude & Betty Harris, Tyson Family Foundation, J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family, The George Family, Pat & Willard Walker, Inc., Schmieding Foundation, Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, Inc., and Don & Debra Harris Family Trust made the construction of this park possible.
The Downtown Springdale Alliance invites everyone to join in celebrating the Luther George Park Revival Weekend, where community, innovation, and the beauty of nature come together.
For more information, please visit our website at www.downtownspringdale.org/luther-george-park or contact Jill Dabbs at Jill@downtownspringdale.org
About Downtown Springdale Alliance:
The Downtown Springdale Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Springdale. Our mission is to create a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community where people of all backgrounds can come together to live, work, and play.