Benton, Bryant ready to celebrate 501 Day

The cities of Benton and Bryant are gearing up to celebrate the first ever 501 Day in May.

“Most people know 501 as the area code for central Arkansas,”

Lea Canady, Director of Marketing and Special Events for Benton Lea Canady said. “Over the years, 501 has come to represent much more than just part of a phone number; 501 has become a symbol of a beautiful, bustling region in the heart of Arkansas.”

The celebration will be held May 1 and the cities of Benton and Bryant, along with other cities, chambers of commerce, the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and other community organizations throughout central Arkansas will participate in the new holiday.

The idea for the holiday was developed during a brainstorming session.

“We’ve seen this done in other regions whose area codes correspond to dates on a calendar,” said Gabe Holmstrom, executive director of Downtown Little Rock Partnership. “During a brainstorming session one day, we realized we had this great opportunity to celebrate the 501 on 5/01. We got on the phone with some other 501 cities and it snowballed from there.”

To celebrate 501 Day, businesses and organizations are encouraged to show their 501 pride with special 501-themed offers, activities, merchandise, public art displays, and whatever else they dream up.

Locally, Benton will kick off the day with a 501 Clean Up City event. From 8 to 11 a.m. May 1, the city and local residents will gather to help spruce up the town by picking up trash and other projects to make Benton sparkle.

“We are looking for as many volunteers to help clean our city,” Canady said. To volunteer, contact Canady at lea.canady@bentonar.org or cal 501-776-5900.

Canady also hopes that local businesses will participate in 501 Day that bring shoppers and diners into the community. Businesses can go to www.celebrate501.com to add their information or reach out to Canady.

Some suggestions for business include:

· Restaurant: Offer a signature appetizer, dessert or drink for $5.01 on 5/01

· Retailer: Sell a signature Benton

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or Arkansas-themed item for

$5.01; offer a $5.01 discount on a special item on 5/01

· Attraction: Discount admission to $5.01 on 5/01; discount a gift

shop item for $5.01 on 5/01

· Host a 5.10K run, hike, or bike race on 5/01

· Offer happy hour specials beginning at 5:01 p.m.

Businesses can also create their own unquiet discounts to offer.

Locally, the Bryant Chamber of Commerce will host a 501 Block Party on May 1 with the closure of Main Street from Copper Mule to Arkansas 5 for the event.

The Block Party will feature vendor booths, food trucks, yard games and a flyover. Live music will be provided by Whiskeyways and the Bryant High School Band. The presenting sponsor for the event is Laryssa Calley Shelter Insurance.

With the hashtag #Celebrate501, @ Celebrate501 on Instagram and Facebook, and Celebrate501.com, 501 Day and the Celebrate 501 movement now have a public platform for people to share what they love about central Arkansas year-round, culminating with an annual event on May 1.

To learn more about what cities fall in the 501 area code, and to see a list of activities and offers happening on 501 Day, visit www.celebrate501.com.