RISON - Rison Shine Community Development’s Back To School Bash will take place this Friday, Aug. 2 in Downtown Rison with new water activities added to the block party.
During the event, which kicks off at 5 p.m. and is expected to wrap up by 8 p.m., the 200 block of Main Street, and the block of Third Street between Main and Pine Streets will be closed to traffic.
The event will include food trucks, life-size games such as connect four, jenga, and more beginning at 5 p.m. on Main Street. Other activities include sidewalk chalking, rock painting to decorate FBT Community Park, and a water slide and other water games.
The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department, Rison Fire Department and EASI Ambulance Services will have a fire truck ambulance and police vehicles for kids to tour.
While a Miss Rison Shine Pageant was originally scheduled as part of this event, the pageant was canceled on Monday due to low entries.
“Though the pageant didn’t work out, we’re still moving ahead with our Back To School Bash, which we hope will be a fun block party for the community,” said Douglas Boultinghouse with Rison Shine.
Participating Food Trucks for the block party are Cheesecake on Point and Big Red’s Feed Trough.
Additionally, the Rison Farmers Market will open vendor spaces for anyone wishing to sell produce or crafts.
“We’re excited to also have a dunking booth in partnership with Freedom Assembly,” said Rison Shine President Celeste Beatty. “You might just have a chance to dunk your teacher, coach or principal.”
The dunking booth will serve as a fundraiser for the School Supply Drive. For $5, each person gets three throws at the booth.
During the Back To School Bash, school supply donations will also be accepted for Rison Shine and Freedom Assembly’s initiative to provide school supplies for every student in Rison Elementary and Rison High School.
Donations accepted at the Bash will begin funding for the 2025-26 school year.
For questions regarding the Back To School Bash, contact Celeste Beatty at (501) 909-9441, Kristy Strother at (870) 550-0071 or Douglas Boultinghouse at (870) 510-2433.