Annual Grill-Fest event becomes Countywide Pep Rally

SEARCY — Grill-Fest is expanding this year to become White County’s Ultimate Tailgate Pep Rally to benefit Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission. Every high school varsity football program, including cheerleaders and pep bands, will come together for this preseason event.

Grill-Fest will take place from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Searcy Event Center to kick off the 2017 football season. Tickets, at $5 for a hamburger meal or $3 for a hot-dog meal, can be purchased at any of the following event partner branches in White County: Centennial Bank, Edward Jones, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, Regions Bank, Simmons Bank, Southern Bank and the White County Federal Credit Union. There will be $5 wristbands for unlimited access to all kids activities or $1 tickets per activity.

Grill-Fest is partnering with the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, and schools will compete for the Brandon Burlsworth Community Spirit Award. The winner will be selected by the school who has the highest percentage of participation based on school enrollment. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation is in honor of former Arkansas Razorback Brandon Burlsworth, who was killed in a car accident shortly after he was drafted into the NFL in 1999.

The foundation’s mission is to support the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those who have limited opportunities, which creates a close alignment with the mission of Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission, which serves families with children experiencing homelessness in White County.

“High school football is so much a part of our fabric and community,” said State Farm agent Blake Hendrix, sponsor of the Spirit Award trophy. “Everybody has something in common at this event. They can put aside rivalries and come together, and it’s fundraising for a great cause.”

Grill-Fest activities will include a presentation by each football team, performances by cheerleaders and pep bands, rock climbing, bounce houses, a dunking booth, a smoke house and other activities. Live music will be performed by the Chris Baker Band and Kinship, featuring Justin and Katie Lawson and Shelley Faulkner.

All proceeds from tickets sales will benefit Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission. Attendees will have an opportunity to donate to Pay for a Day at the event. It costs approximately $418 for a day of operation for three families, which comes to $35 per month.

Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission, which seeks to empower the homeless population by providing financial, spiritual, emotional and job counseling, has helped hundreds of families since 2008, including Elizabeth, who says the organization changed her life.

“Jacob’s place and its staff have been a crucial component of changing my life, habits and worldview while in recovery from alcoholism and other self-destructive behaviors,” Elizabeth said. “I have been able to reinvent myself in so many ways that go far deeper than surface behavior. I am grateful for Jacob’s Place.”

“Jacob’s Place serves all of White County, not just Searcy,” said Melanie Kiihnl, Jacob’s Place’s program director. “We want to serve the community and come together to support a good cause while cheering on our youth. We are very excited for Grill-Fest becoming a countywide pep rally and bringing everyone together.”