It’s time to see if your grandma truly makes the best chocolate gravy!

World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff

Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 9 – 11 a.m.

Downtown Searcy – East Side of Court Square

Prizes

People’s Choice: $500 Cash and a trophy

Amateur: $500 Cash and a trophy

Professional: $500 Cash and a trophy

Chocolate Gravy Cookoff Committee will provide:

• 1 table

• Biscuits

• 2-oz. serving cups

• Forks and napkins for serving to ticket holders

• Table covering, but contestants may decorate their tables if they choose.

Contestants must provide:

• 2.5 gallons of gravy in a warming container, along with an extension cord

• Serving supplies (spoon, serving spoon, cutting board, knife)

• Gloves

• Chairs if needed

Schedule

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.: Contestant set-up. All vehicles must be removed by 8:45 a.m.

8:45 a.m.: Mandatory Meeting – contestants will provide their chocolate gravy recipes to the event coordinator.

9 a.m.: People’s Choice voting begins

9:15 a.m.: Amateur judging begins

9:45 a.m.: Professional judging begins

11 a.m.: People’s Choice voting ends

11:30 a.m.: Winners announced

Rules

Organizers reserve the right to refuse participation of any applicant. Organizers reserve the right to ask a contestant to leave if he/she is not following guidelines. If contestants choose not to participate, payments will not be refunded. However, full refunds will be issued if organizers cancel the event due to weather. Main Street Searcy, White County, the City of Searcy and volunteers are not liable for injury or damage to persons or property. Contestants can only win one category – Professional, Amateur or People’s Choice.

Chocolate Gravy Contestant Entry Form

Entry fee is $25. Click here to register.

The Main Street Searcy Farmers’ Market happens every Saturday from 8am to noon in Downtown Searcy. The market features locally raise veggies, chicken, pork and eggs. There is also a large selection of crafters and bakers.

Join us in Downtown Searcy on Friday, May 3 from 7:30pm-11pm for food, music, art, and more to celebrate Searcy’s 2nd annual Cinco de Mayo festival!

We are excited to offer another year of:

• Food Trucks

• Food fundraiser for El Puente

• Live DJ

• Midnight Mercado

• Games

The festival will kick off at 7:30pm with a traditional parade.

This is a FREE EVENT

We hope to see you there!

7:30 P.M. | TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024

BENSON AUDITORIUM

Join Harding University for “Music of the Spheres” featuring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and showcasing Harding’s Grand Chorus and alumni soloists. This concert will feature Gustav Holst’s monumental suite, “The Planets,” and “Serenade to Music” by Ralph Vaughn Williams. It also includes the world premiere of “Galileo’s Eyeglass,” composed by Dr. Jay Walls, chair of Harding’s Department of Music and composition professor.

Buy Tickets | Watch Dr. Jay Walls on KATV discuss the event

7:30 P.M. | MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024

BENSON AUDITORIUM

Captain Jerry Linenger is a retired United States Navy flight surgeon and NASA astronaut. A Naval Academy graduate, he holds doctorates in medicine and research methodology as well as dual master's degrees in policy and systems management. During one of the most dangerous and dramatic missions in space history, Linenger spent nearly five months aboard the Russian space station Mir. Despite numerous life-threatening events, he and his Russian crewmates accomplished all mission goals. He was the first American to undock from a space station in a Russian Soyuz capsule and the first American to complete a spacewalk in a Russian spacesuit. At mission completion, he held the endurance record for the longest time in space for an American man. In 2008, Linenger received the Distinguished Service Medal, NASA’s highest award, for his courage and outstanding service to his country. He is the author of Off the Planet and Letters from Mir: An Astronaut’s Letters to His Son.

Learn more about upcoming ASI events here.

Searcy Beats & Eats, a division of Arkansas Creative Group, is excited to announce Northeast Arkansas’s largest eclipse festival for the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 from 11am-7:00pm.

Galaxy Fest: Return of the Sun will celebrate the celestial event in Searcy with a Star Wars themed festival combining science and entertainment that will excite the most devout fans of the beloved film series as well as the newest of jedis.

Some of the most exciting elements of the event are:

Incendia Fire Dome- a 50 ft open air geodesic dome that blows fire from its top while exciting events take place inside such as exhibitions and performances.

Headlining Entertainment- Galactic Empire. Galactic Empire is a heavy metal band that performs classic pieces from the iconic soundtrack of the Star Wars films written by John Williams. They perform in full costumes complete with lasers and special effects.

Other entertainment- throughout the day, bands will take the stage playing funky space tunes as well as a DJ pumping classic space titled tracks. Costumed stilt walkers will roam the crowd transitioning into LED Robots once the sun goes down. There will be fire performers, LED hula hoopers, and cosplay characters present throughout the day as well.

Activities- Regional robotics teams are coming together at this location to facilitate a droid building station which will encourage attendees to participate in STEM activities. There will also be a padwan training academy, bounce houses, an Area 51 zero gravity ride, laser tag, juggling & hula hoop play shops, and a group EV ride around the facilities.

Vendors- The vendor village will be decorated to mimic that of the outposts of Batuu and local and regional vendors will be present selling handmade products as well as souvenirs. Food vendors will also be on site selling themed food and beverages. 

Eclipse viewing- The venue, The Searcy Event Center located at 1300 Higginson Street in Searcy, boasts over 50 acres of prime viewing area. A combination of paved and grass surfaces, there will be a roped section for photographers and press as well as bathroom facilities and quick & easy access to the highway, airport, and downtown areas. To ensure an optimum viewing experience for guests, a sound embargo will begin a minimum of 30 minutes prior to totality and last for 30 minutes past. There will be a limited number of free eclipse viewing glasses as well as glasses for sale from vendors. 

Searcy, Arkansas will have approximately 3 minutes of totality and is conveniently located along Highway 67/167 which spans the entire path of totality in Arkansas.

For more information about this event, please email info@searcybeatsandeats.com or message Searcy Beats & Eats on  Facebook. May the force be with you.

Shopping – Dining – Vendors

• Live Music

• Fire Breathing & Poi Performances

• Blacksmithing

• Face Painting

• Pony Rides with Petting Zoo

• Inflatables & More!

Downtown Shops & Restaurants will have extended hours during SUNday on the Square. Support Local!

Shop and eat in 6 or more of the following locally-owned downtown businesses to enter for a chance to win prizes!

Bella Wren - Beyond Boundaries - Bliss Salon & Boutique - The Boutique - Burrito Day - Daisy's Lunchbox Cafe & Bakery - Doorframes - Make.Do. - Quattlebaum Music - The Soda Jerk - Stotts Family Pharmacy - Sweet Peep - WellBar

Get your flyer punched while visiting the businesses listed and turn it in at the Main Street Searcy booth near the stage area during Sunday on the Square (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Participants must be 18 years or older to enter. Winner will be contacted by
phone.

Interest in selling handcrafted items? Contact Main Street Searcy at 501-593-6920.

Searcy Parks & Recreation Departments Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 30 at the Searcy Adult Softball Fields on Queensway in Searcy.

The fun will begin at 9a.m. as everyone arrives to get ready for the big hunt at 10a.m. sharp!

In the meantime, get your picture made with the Easter Bunny & Peep, have your face painted, enjoy jumping in the bounce houses, play on the nearby playground equipment, and guess how many jelly beans are in the jar.  

The Easter Bunny is bringing lots of eggs filled with candy as well as Prize Eggs in each of the 3 age divisions.  

Age Divisions are 1–3; 4–7; and  8–12. Don’t forget you Easter Basket! 😊

Join us for an unveiling ceremony for Searcy's newest mural that celebrates and commemorates the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse! We are unveiling this special mural exactly 1 month before the celestial event happening on April 8 and would love to have the community to join us not only to view the mural, but also for a special exciting announcement pertaining to Searcy's downtown art scene.

Located on the back wall of the White County Title building, we will be dropping a large veil at noon and hearing from 2 special guests. We will also have eclipse snacks and souvenirs available!

UPDATE | Due to the chance of rain, Christmas Music at Smyrna Church has been moved to an Open House at Smyrna Church on December 23 from 2pm to 4pm.

Visit Santa Claus at the Santa Hut this Christmas on the Courthouse Square in Downtown Searcy. Don’t forget your camera for selfies with Santa!

Special thanks to Main Street Searcy, Searcy Towing & Auto Works and the Searcy A&P Commission.

NO LONGER ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS

Dates available: (15-20 minute rides)

Saturday, November 25 | 6pm - 9pm

Monday, December 11 | 6pm - 9pm

Thursday, December 14 | 6pm - 9pm

Thursday, December 21 | 6pm - 9pm

Friday, December 22 | 6pm - 9pm

Special Thanks to Our Carriage Ride Sponsor:

Henard Foothills Equipment

*Carriage rides are FREE, but reservations are required. Call Main Street Searcy at 501-593-6920 weekdays 9am - 5pm to make a reservation.
*No private parties.
*Riders may call The Princess’s Carriage at 501-232-4102 for booking & payment information for private parties on another date.
*Accommodations can be made for small parties with special circumstances/medical needs.
*Passenger pick-up and drop-off in the vicinity of Robbins Sanford Grand Hall (118 N. Spring).
*Each time slot can seat 6 adults, 8 including children. Reservations are needed for all riders except children in laps.
*Reservations are recommended for children 3 and older.
*Walk-ups are not encouraged but can be accommodated if space allows.

Visit Santa Claus at the Santa Hut this Christmas on the Courthouse Square in Downtown Searcy. Don’t forget your camera for selfies with Santa!

Special thanks to Main Street Searcy, Searcy Towing & Auto Works and the Searcy A&P Commission.