Fun for everyone

JACKSONVILLE OFFERS YEAR-ROUND ENTERTAINMENT

Jacksonville is a lively city ideal for people of all ages, with abundant opportunities, not only in career and education, but in entertainment as well. There are various events and festivals throughout the year that bring the community together for family-friendly fun.

Consider adding these upcoming events to the calendar.

JULY 20 H2GO 2 MILER FUN RUN

The H2GO 2 Miler Fun Run will take place from 7:30-9 a.m. Saturday, July 20. Participants will travel a beautiful, 2-mile loop along Vandenberg Boulevard beginning and ending in the upper parking lot of the Jacksonville-Little Rock Air Force Base University Center. Volunteers along the way will help runners beat the heat with water guns and cannons, so everyone should dress prepared to get wet. Every runner will receive a participant bag and a T-shirt to commemorate the experience. Funds raised will support Alzheimer’s Arkansas and provide education, support and financial assistance to Arkansas caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/AR/LittleRockAFB/ H2GO2MilerFunRun.

AUG. 16 BACK TO SCHOOL SPLASH

Families are invited to slip, slide and dive into the night at the last bash of the summer. A great way to say goodbye to summer, the Back to School Splash will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Jacksonville’s Splash Zone. Kids are invited to swim and dance to music by a DJ and have cold refreshments. The event costs $5 at the door, and children younger than 9 must be accompanied by an adult. To use the slides, children must be at least 48 inches tall. For more information, call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com.

SEPT. 27-28 FESTIVILLE

One of the most anticipated events of the year in Jacksonville, FestiVille will return on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, at Dupree Park. With nearly 20,000 attendees over the weekend, the community comes together to shake off the stress of the workweek and enjoy entertainment, sports tournaments, a petting zoo, food trucks, vendors and more. Admission and parking are free; however, there will be a charge for some rides and activities. For more information, call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.FestiVille.org.

OCT. 31 TRUNK OR TREAT

When Halloween rolls around, Dupree Park is the place for Jacksonville residents to park their cars, pop the trunks and fill them with lots of spooky tricks-and-treats. Hosted by Jacksonville Parks and Recreation, the 2019 Trunk-or-Treat will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. There will be various games and activities, bounce houses, haunted hayrides, costume and trunk contests, music and more. Participants can bring their cars to the parking lot, decorate them and bring candy to hand out to children. For those who don’t want to hand out candy but would still like to be involved, volunteers are needed for games and activities. For more information, call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com.

NOV. 22-23 HOLIDAY CRAFT AND GIFT SALE

Capture the spirit of the holiday season at the 42nd annual Holiday Craft and Gift Sale. The two-day event will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23, at the Jacksonville Community Center, where patrons can purchase original works of art and unique gifts from Arkansas artisans and vendors from surrounding areas. Handmade creations include woodwork, paintings, jewelry, holiday decor and more. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 12 to 18, or in lieu of paying admission, attendees can bring a new, unopened, unwrapped toy in support of the annual toy drive. For more information, call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com.

DEC. 7 62ND ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE

Jacksonville Parks and Recreation will host the 62nd annual Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade will begin at the corner of Sharp Drive and Main Street and will end at First United Methodist Church on Main Street. The nighttime parade will feature illuminated floats and the guest of honor, Santa, along with marching bands, floats, dance groups and the Jacksonville Fire Department. For more information, visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com.