Gravette Day Marks 133rd Year With a 5K, Parade and Downtown Celebration

133 years is a long time to keep a party going, but Gravette hasn’t missed a beat. Organizers expect more than 3,000 people to pack Downtown Gravette this year, proof that small-town pride can pull a serious crowd. It’s the kind of tradition that’s been passed down for generations, and this year’s lineup gives you plenty of reasons to clear your calendar.

THE DEETS

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕑 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
📍 Kindley Park, 403 Main St., Gravette, AR 72736 | 5K race: Old Town Park, 110 Park Drive, Gravette, AR 72736
💵 5K entry: $30 for adults, $15 for students 18 and under
🔗 More info | Register for the race at runsignup.com

Race Your Way Into the Day

Your morning starts with the Gravette Day 5K, presented by The Gravette Gym and Grand Savings Bank. The race runs from 8-10 a.m., starting and ending at Old Town Park. Runners and walkers of every experience level are welcome, and the course takes you past local schools, out toward Highway 72, through historic downtown Main Street, and back to the park, where the rest of the celebration is already getting started.

Sign up early. The first 75 registrants get a Gravette Day 5K shirt, and proceeds from the event support Bright Futures Gravette, a local organization that backs community initiatives in the area.

Pancakes, Vendors and Downtown Charm

Once the race wraps, downtown fills in fast. You can grab a plate at the community pancake breakfast, browse local vendor booths and arts and crafts, and let the kids loose on family-friendly activities. Local pageants add to the small-town feel of it all.

The parade steps off at noon, moving toward Main Street with floats built by local organizations. Judges are handing out three trophies this year: Best Use of the Theme, Most Festive, and Overall Best Entry. The theme is “Rooted in Freedom, Grown in Gravette,” a nod to a town that has held onto this tradition for well over a century.

A Tradition Worth the Drive

Gravette Day pulls in visitors from well beyond city limits, including neighbors from Oklahoma and Missouri who make the trip every year. If you’re planning to run the race or catch the parade, get there early, wear comfortable clothing, and clear your schedule. This is a full day of hometown tradition, and Gravette doesn’t do it halfway.