A statewide commemoration marking America’s 250th anniversary year will culminate this summer in the Arkansas Folklife Festival, a free, three-day celebration taking place at North Little Rock’s Riverfront Park.
Set for June 26-28 — intentionally scheduled on the weekend prior to Independence Day — the festival will highlight “the traditions, creativity and everyday culture that make Arkansas home” with live music, dancing, food, art and outdoor activities for all ages.
The festival has been dubbed “The People’s 250” and is part of the nationwide celebrations hosted by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. It is organized by the City of North Little Rock, North Little Rock Parks and Recreation, North Little Rock Tourism and the Argenta Downtown Council.
Beginning last fall, community engagement events were held across the state’s six regions: central/River Valley, the Delta, north central, northwest, southwest and southeast. Each gathering welcomed locals to share how their sector should be represented. The result of those conversations will hit the NLR riverbank this summer.
“We’re throwing an Arkansas party, and people are showing up ready to help shape it,” festival founder and director Rachel Reynolds says. “It’s been incredible to see how much pride folks have in their communities and how deeply they want to see their stories reflected in something statewide. This festival is being curated by the people themselves — that’s why we call it ‘The People’s 250.’ When we create spaces rooted in shared joy and cultural pride, we build something we can all belong to, no matter our differences.”
Visit the Arkansas Folklife Festival website for more information, and follow along on Instagram for the latest.
View this post on Instagram