Defined: fire*house hos*tel and mu*se*um: Safe, clean, inexpensive, lodging for travelers within a firefighters museum in an historic fire station

With their fundraising event approaching, Hostelling Arkansas, Inc., a Little Rock non-profit, says everything is in place for the hostel and museum “except the money”! Truly, the groundwork is laid with a great legal agreement with the City of Little Rock and the Department of Parks and Recreation for 50 years rent-free use of the building. The architect’s plans are ready. The warehouse is filling up with firefighter artifacts for the museum. Hostelling International, with over 6,000 hostels is ready for this one to join them. The travelers just keep coming and/or calling looking for a hostel. The capital campaign continues and everyone is invited to join the fun and help out. Volunteers welcome. Experienced hostellers and firefighter buffs are sought to share knowledge and experiences.

The Hostel’s 5 Alarm Frenzy this year is an old fashioned festival with a GIANT CAKEWALK. Family fun, games, and activities include riding 100 feet up in the ladder truck, putting out a “burning house” with a real fire hose, water balloon toss, frisbees, skip ball, bocce ball, horseshoes, tug’o war, sack races, tossing balls in fire buckets and digging in the dirt! Kids can get pictures with “Casey” our Dalmatian, etc.

The “Partial Poe Boys” String Band with Bud Bell, David Newbern and Bob Hayes will play. Ice cream, cake by the slice & cold drinks and our newly designed tee shirts will be for sale. Blankets and Lawn Chairs Welcome. Admission Free

The Firehouse Hostel and Museum is located in the southwest corner of MacArthur Park, 1201 Commerce Street. Take Interstate 30, exit onto Ninth Street, travel west and take a left turn onto to Commerce Street, pass Arts Center and hostel will be next left turn. Parking is next to hostel.

The event will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., October 7, 2007

Little Rock Parks and Recreation (LRPR) oversees 53 parks, five community centers, the Adult Leisure Center, War Memorial Fitness Center, four swimming pools, two tennis centers, the River Market, the Riverfest Amphitheatre, four golf courses, and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. The agency administers traditional programs among more unique ones such as urban forestry, therapeutic, and adventurous outside programs. The LRPR system includes more than 5,700 acres of designated parks and open space. LRPR, which employs more than 350 dedicated and experienced people, is one of 33 organizations in the United States to be accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies through the National Recreation and Park Association. Through collaborations with citizens, community organizations, and corporate and government entities, LRPR is working to make Little Rock a “City in a Park.” Contact us at cityparks@littlerock.state.ar.us or visit us at www.lrpr.org

-30-