Searcy has a host of businesses offering fun things to do including a bowling alley, two movie theaters, a dinner theater, lazar arcade, four fitness centers and a roller skating ring.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
Residents and visitors can take advantage of festivals, fairs and theatrical and musical programs. The city of Searcy hosts several festivals and events including Peddlers Day, an Arts Weekend and a Country Christmas. The White County Fair, held the week after Labor Day at the White County Fair Grounds, has been recognized as one of the top 10 county fairs in the nation. It features a parade, a carnival, rodeo and nationally recognized talent. Judsonia hosts Prospect Bluff days in September. Bradford hosts FunFest in October with live entertainment, food, crafts, vendors and a parade. Beebe is the host of ChristmasFest which includes a Christmas tour of homes and a parade. Searcy hosts the Holiday of Lights Festival from November through December. It features a lighted parade, pageant and craft show. The event has become a major attraction for the city.
Pangburn, Judsonia, and Floyd mark Independence Day with parades, fun filled events and contests, live entertainment, food and fireworks. Harding University hosts a spectacular 4th of July fireworks event complete with live music. Bald Knob hosts HomeFest in May. With three days of activities slated including a parade and various contests. Heber Springs hosts their World Championship Cardboard Boat Festival and Fireworks extravaganza in July.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and camping can be enjoyed at several places within driving distance. The Little Red River tail waters below Greer's Ferry Dam and for about 29 miles down river it is also a world-class fishery. It is home of the nationally-famous brown trout and rainbow trout. The national record brown trout was caught near Heber Springs in 1992 and weighed over 40 pounds and was 40 inches long. The Little Red River offers fun for the casual and serious fisherman alike. Greers Ferry Lake, with its 40,000 acres of water fun, is a mere 40 minute drive from Searcy. It is the most visited park in Arkansas with over one million people visiting the lake each year to enjoy such things as fishing, boating, camping and scuba diving. Turkey, deer, duck and quail hunting with possible permits for black bear and elk are all possible within driving distance of the Searcy area. Some of the finest mallard duck hunting is available at the Henry Gray / Hurricane Lake Wildlife Refuge with over 17,000 acres available for hunting and fishing. The new Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge has over 14,800 acres available for wintering waterfowl and about half of this acreage is available for hunting.
GOLF
Searcy has two golf courses and a driving range. The Course at River Oaks is open to the public and offers gently rolling terrain along the Little Red River. The Searcy Country Club is private and offers an array of amenities.
THE ARTS
Searcy and White county have many cultural opportunities to keep residents and visitors busy. The local universities, the city and private non-profit groups provide many creative outlets that promote the arts and humanities in our area.
Searcy Art Gallery "Black House" (pictured above)
300 East Race
Searcy / 501-279-1094
Tues-Fri 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Exhibits change every 60 days and admission is free.
Stevens Art Gallery
Harding University
Searcy / 501-279-4426
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Exhibits change at least monthly and admission is free.
Center on the Square
Performance & Dinner Theater
111 Arch Street
Searcy / 501-368-0111
Runs year round, log onto www.centeronsquare.org for more information.
Harding Summer Dinner Theater
Harding University / 501-279-4445
Productions run from Jun through August.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Spring Sing (pictured below) is held annually on Easter Weekend at Harding University. The three day event features musical acts performed by student social clubs. Harding also offers a community Chamber Music Series with band and orchestra concerts, choir and individual recitals in acoustic superior Reynolds Center Recital Hall. Searcy has a Community Band Program and Arkansas State University at Beebe has an annual Shakespeare Festival. The Searcy Events Center is located in the Searcy Sports Complex and can accommodate large outdoor activities.
LECTURE SERIES
Harding University brings in world renowned lecturers as part of the American Studies Distinguished Lecture Series. Previous speakers have included: President George Bush, Barbara Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Vencente Fox, Sean Hannity, Dick Cheney, Linda Chavez, Henry Kissinger, Tom Peters, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Bobby Bowden, Gene Stallings, Zig Ziglar and General Colin Powell.
Links
Harding Distinguished Lecture Series
www.harding.edu/ASI/events
Greers Ferry Little Red River Association
www.greersferrylake.org
Bald Knob wildlife Refuge
www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=43522
Center on the Square
www.centeronsquare.org