Train Day and Trade Day Set for Saturday May 6th

The Hope Lions Club heard from John Sitzes and Mark Ross concerning Train Day and Trade Day set for this Saturday May 6th.

Mark Ross spoke first.  He noted the event features a rib cook-off and so far there are 19 entries.  The public can taste the ribs for a small charge at each rib entrant.  The fee to enter the rib cooking is $50.  There will be a “kid’s corner” in the lot behind Tailgaters at Division and Walnut.  There will be inflatables, a rock wall, trampoline, bungee jump, sno cones, and ice cream.  Ross also ran through the entertainment for Saturday.  It will include Dancestastics at 10am, the Hope High Jazz Band at 11am, the Night Hawk Band at 1pm, and at 3pm “South Down Main” takes the stage.  The rib cook-off winners will be announced at 4:30pm.  There is also a cornhole tournament in the lot behind the Senior Center at Elm & Division.  There are 38 entries in the cornhole tournament.  The rib cook-off winners will be announced at 4:30pm and everything ends at 5pm.  Ross also noted the Jack Williams Memorial Softball Tournament is set for Saturday and 24 teams are expected at Fair Park.

John Sitzes, president of the Hope Downtown Network, spoke about Trade Day.  There are 30 vendors scheduled with more expected.  The vendors will be open from 9am until 4pm.  Sitzes says some of the items for sale will include hand-carved items, lured, baked goods, and some boutiques.  There will also be four food trucks including such foods as street tacos, Hawaiian Shaved ice, Matt’s Bar B Que, and chicken wings.

Sitzes also gave an update on the activities of the Downtown Network.  He noted the pocket park downtown has opened and the Street Scape program is under construction.  Sitzes noted prior to COVID, the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site was attracting about 10,000 visitors a year.  The Street Scape program is aimed at attracting people from the Clinton Birthplace to downtown Hope.  He said the Downtown Network is very appreciative of the city initiating and implementing the Street Scape program   Other downtown improvements include the new sign at the Hub/Pavilion Park, four new benches put out, 8 matching grants to local downtown businesses that funded such projects as the barber poles at Jeff’s On Main and a new paint job at Steve Harris’s building at Main & 2nd.  Sitzes also noted improvements will come to the back of 107 and 109 south Main soon.  Sitzes lauded Arnetta Bradford and Hebrews 11:1 for being named “Arkansas Business of the Month” by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.  Another highlight downtown, says Sitzes, is the new Downtown Market Place on East 2nd in the former Ken’s Carpet/J.C. Penney building.  Sitzes said the Downtown Market Place is especially timely since the flea market on highway 29 south recently closed.   He says the paint job really brings out the detail on the brick.  Other activities include the Downtown Network’s clean-up day in conjunction with the city-wide clean up.  Sitzes says they are getting the downtown ready to “show off” during Train Day/Trade Day.  He also lauded Mona Still’s efforts to keep downtown clean and the Beautification Committee’s paint job on the “Welcome to Downtown Hope” sign on East Third.  Particularly, Sitzes thanked Toby Neff for this work and the other volunteer work he does downtown.

The Downtown Network’s annual meeting will be June 15th at the Chamber office and the public is invited.  That will also be the day Sitzes hands over the Downtown Network presidency to Mark Ross.  Sitzes said the group meets the third Thursday of every month at 6pm at the Tailgaters’ annex.  He also noted the annual investor’s renewal date is July 1st.  He encouraged anyone who wanted to be an investor to contact him or any other Downtown Network member.  Sitzes says the money they raise go towards things such as benches, paint, or mulch…in other words, things investors will see.

Sitzes announced a fundraiser is set for October 14th for a “Taste of Hope” as a fundraiser.  They hope to block off a street with restaurants and vendors in the street.  He said more details will be forthcoming.

Ross wrapped up the program with a report on the Beautification Committee.  He said they hope to relocate or redesign the “Welcome to Hope” signs which are currently located at near Hope Auto Cheverolet and the old KXAR building.  Ross said they are working with the highway department on this project.  Ross also said the beautification committee plans to branch out to work on the main corridors into Hope.

Another Beautification Project will include putting out over 100 American flags in downtown, Hervey, and Main Street on July 4th, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.  Ross said they can use the some existing holes in the sidewalks downtown left from some Centennial activities in the 70’s.

Anyone who would like to help the Downtown Network or the Hope Beautification Committee can get in touch with either Sitzes or Ross.