Former residents return for Gravette Day 2016

GRAVETTE — Gravette Day 2016 was one of the best in recent memory. A cool front moved into the area early in the day, providing excellent weather for the annual celebration. This year’s theme, “Just a kid from Gravette,” brought many hometown heroes back to town to recognize their roots and to be honored for their accomplishments. These included Gov. Asa Hutchinson, federal district judge Jimm Hendren and state representative Kim Hendren, who was chosen grand marshal of the Gravette Day parade.

Kiwanis Club members began serving early at their annual pancake breakfast and attendance was good. Seven teams entered in the annual Dutch-oven cook off, sponsored by the Gravette historical museum, began cooking early, too, and tempting aromas floated across the museum grounds by midmorning. A Gravette team, Easy Pickins, was the overall winner, with Barnyard Cooks taking second place and Backwoods Bakers third place.

Area artists were featured in a “Generations” art show at the Bank of Gravett community room. Exhibits, on display from 8 a. m. to 2 p. m., featured artwork from the students at Imagine Before and After School Care, patrons of the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, Steve Martinez of Gravette, Lydia Seiden of Gentry and Michael Kelley of Gravette, who organized the show. Also on display were buckskin clothing and beadwork by Peggy Dewitt McCloud of Southwest City, Mo.

The Gravette Day parade was held at 12 noon with many colorful entries reflecting the “Just a kid from Gravette” theme. Gravette and Sulphur Springs fire trucks and emergency vehicles, Miss Gravette and Miss Teen Gravette contestants and the Gravette High School marching band all joined the lineup. Winners included a maroon Challenger in the car, truck and bike division, 5th Quarter in the civil service/ nonprofit division and Green Heart Realty’s “There’s no place like home” float in the business division. A few mounted horsemen concluded the parade.

The GHS band and cheerleaders kicked off the afternoon’s activities with a pep rally in Kindley Park at 1 p.m. Dancers from Dynamic Rhythm dance studio performed at 2:30. A series of nine pageants, from the Pretty Baby contest for those 11 months and younger to the Miss Teen Gravette and Miss Gravette contests, began at 3 p.m. Torie Dixon, 18, of Gravette, was crowned Miss Gravette about 6 p.m. Torie is the daughter of Gene Dixon of Gravette and Gina Mousser of Grove, Okla. Cori Overstreet, 16, of Gravette was crowned Miss Teen Gravette. She is the daughter of Jeff Overstreet of Bella Vista and Donna Taylor of Gravette.

A kiddos’ firemen’s muster was held on Main Street just north of Kindley Park from 2 to 4 p. m. Youngsters were able to participate in three timed events, knocking down a mock fire, running a bucket brigade and stretching a fire line. Face painting and craft activities were available in a corner of the park, and bounce houses were set up for the children’s enjoyment.

Many vehicles were entered in the annual car, truck and bike show held this year on the old bus barn grounds, and trophies were presented in several categories. The Mercy Life Line helicopter also made a landing, much to the delight of everyone in the crowd.

A concert by the Reeves Brothers concluded the day’s activities. The popular Reeves Brothers, Matt and Cole, are former Gravette residents. They were backed by Kelly Bishop on bass guitar, Todd Bohannon on drums and Steve Gall on pedal steel. They performed several old country standards and a few songs from their newly released CD, “Home Sweet Honky- Tonk.”

Carter Beggs, of Decatur, joined the band for vocals on three songs, and young Joseph Cowan, of Gravette, sat in on guitar for a couple of tunes. Cole Reeves surprised Cowan by giving him the guitar he played at the end of his performance. When the song ended, Reeves asked, “Do you like that guitar?” When Cowan replied that he did, Reeves said, “Well, take it home with you.”

Heather Finley, Gravette Day chairman, posted this message on Sunday: “Thank you for supporting, participating and attending Gravette Day 2016. The day was successful because of the great kids, both young and old, from Gravette who made yesterday happen.”

Photo by Susan Holland Members of the Gravette High School marching band and GHS cheerleaders participated in Gravette Day opening ceremonies in Kindley Park by leading the crowd in a pep rally at 1 p.m. Saturday. The band and cheerleaders also marched in the Gravette Day...

Photo by Susan Holland Dale Ayres of Gravette poses with the 1980 Shay Model A owned by him and his wife Diana. Ayres displays the trophy the vehicle won for third place in the antique car division of the Gravette Day car show. Ayres drove the car in the Gravette Day parade...

Photo by Susan Holland The graduating class of 1956 won first place in the school class division of the Gravette Day parade. The “60 Years” float was pulled by the vehicle carrying parade grand marshal Kim Hendren and his wife Marylea and featured photos of the class...

Photo by Susan Holland The 5th Quarter float from the Heritage Baptist Church won first place in the civil service/nonprofit division of the Gravette Day parade. The church hosts popular “Fifth Quarter” activities for high school students after home football games in the fall.

Photo by Susan Holland Members of the Payne family, calling themselves “The Payne Gang,” have a long tradition of holding a family reunion on Gravette Day weekend. They always ride in the parade, wearing T-shirts with the parade theme. Here some of the family members are...

Photo by Susan Holland Michael Kelley of Gravette poses with some of his colorful artwork. Kelley and other artists of all ages were featured in the “Generations” art show at the Bank of Gravett community room from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Kelley was organizer of the show,...

Photo by Susan Holland State Rep. Kim Hendren was honored as grand marshal of the Gravette Day parade. After the parade, he donned his letter jacket from his days on the Gravette High School football team, and he and wife Marylea spoke to the crowd at opening ceremonies in...