Summer Vacation Destination to Host 10 Weeks of Festivities, Events


LITTLE ROCK, AR (June 6, 2006) – The River Market District, Arkansas’ capitol-city hub for entertainment, dining and cultural attractions, will celebrate its tenth anniversary this summer with 10 weeks of festivities open to the public.

Details of the celebration’s planned activities were announced today by Little Rock city officials and business leaders during a news conference held in River Market Plaza.
Numerous events, promotions, hotel packages and special features are lined up for the celebration which will begin Thursday, June 8 and conclude Saturday, Aug. 19 – Former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s 60th birthday.

“Over the past ten years, the District has transformed into a cultural, entertainment icon for Arkansas, and become the home for big business,” said Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau Chief Executive Officer Dan O’Byrne. “From major conventions, concerts, and sporting events to playing host to the state’s most-visited landmark – the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center and Park – the District has grown to be the heartbeat of downtown Little Rock.”

Opened on July 1, 1996, the District has grown to encompass not only Markham Street and President Clinton Avenue, but includes attractions and establishments as far south as the Arkansas Arts Center and as north as ALLTEL Arena in North Little Rock.

The first official anniversary event, “The Big 10th Anniversary Kick-Off,” will be held this Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m. in the River Market pavilions. The event is free to the public and will feature live music performed by Donna Massey & Blue Eyed Soul. Beverages will be sold on site, with proceeds benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. KURB-FM B98.5 is the radio promotional partner for the event.

Parking in the River Market Parking Deck will cost only 10 cents during the opening event.

The Downtown Partnership will be leading two major celebration efforts – a “Paint the Town 10” building decorating and pride competition to be held between River Market District businesses, and “Chalk the Beaten Path,” featuring ten artists from downtown galleries taking their art to the street the morning of Aug. 11 to chalk sidewalks along Main Street.

Other promotions planned throughout the 10 weeks include an anniversary event Saturday, July 1 to include entertainment, free watermelon, face painting, and Farmers Market vendors, and an extended “Movies in the Park” summer schedule.

“Movies in the Park”, the popular outdoor series held in the Riverfest Amphitheatre, will show films every Wednesday throughout the 10 weeks and will conclude on August 16. All movies begin at sunset and are free to the public.

City Year Little Rock, an AmeriCorps program, also announced it will begin a community service project to educate and promote literacy among children in the central Arkansas area on June 21. Ten tile mosaic murals inspired by classic children’s books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Good Night Moon, and The Giving Tree will be created and displayed in the downtown area.

“We are excited about all the activities surrounding the anniversary and invite everyone to come and enjoy all that the River Market District has to offer,” Light said. “Not only will we be celebrating ten years of the District, but we will also be celebrating the developers, merchants, vendors and consumers who have made it what it is today, and what it will be ten years from now.

A special Web site, www.rivermarket10.com, has also been established exclusively for the10th anniversary, and will include a complete list of planned activities, featured District businesses, special offers and promotions and more.

For more information visit www.rivermarket10.com or contact the River Market at (501) 375-2552.

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