RISON - The Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon and the Second Annual Johnny & June's Chili Supper and Music Event highlight a list of local activities that will be taking place this weekend through Halloween on Tuesday. Here is an overview of those events: Cleveland County Veterans Luncheon All veterans and one guest will be treated to a free catfish and chicken lunch during the Cleveland County Veterans Association's annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison.
Major General Jonathan M. Stubbs, The Adjunct General of the Arkansas National Guard, will be the guest speaker.
Dorey's Catfish & Chicken will cater the catfish and chicken buffet. Plates will be available to the public for $15 per person with proceeds helping support the meals for the veterans..
For more information, call (870) 692-1237.
Major General Stubbs, the guest speaker for the luncheon, began his military career in 1993 upon enlistment in Company A, 4-117th Infantry Battalion in Lexington, Tenn., as a private first class (PFC). In 1995, he was commissioned as an Infantry officer after completing Officer Candidate School as the Distinguished Graduate at the Tennessee Military Academy.
He is a career Army National Guard officer and has spent more than 27 of his 29 years in uniform with the Arkansas Army National Guard. He has held every leadership position within the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) from rifle platoon leader (2nd Lieutenant) to brigade commander (Colonel). MG Stubbs led Company C, 3-153 Infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II in Baghdad, Iraq in 20042005 and served as the 39th IBCT operations officer in OIF VIII in Baghdad, Iraq in 2008.
In September 2021 Stubbs was selected for promotion to brigadier general and assigned as the Vice Director for Operations at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va. In January 2022, Stubbs was assigned as the Deputy Director for Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization at Headquarters, Department of the Army, the Pentagon. In January 2023, he was selected for promotion to major general and was appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders as the 54th Adjutant General of Arkansas.
Johnny & June's Chili Supper and Music Event
This will be the second time for Kickstart Kingsland to host the Johnny & June's Chili Supper and Music Event named after Kingsland's most famous native son, American music icon Johnny Cash, and his wife, June Carter Cash.
Festivities will be held in and around Kingsland City Hall with live entertainment starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, followed by the chili supper beginning at 3 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs to take in the live music that will be performed outside city hall.
Those scheduled to perform include The Fuzzy Singer, The Kim Griffin Band, Southband Express, Anonymous, CS Dubb and The Golden Boy A Johnny and June Look-Alike Contest will be held with the winner receiving a $50 prize.
Kickstart Kingsland is offering free vendor space for non-food vendors. For more information about vendor space or the event, call Kelly Taylor with Kickstart Cleveland County at (870) 6920800.
Re-New-ing Edinburg Fall Festiv al & Candy Event
Re-New-ing Edinburg will once again host its Fall Festival and Candy Event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28, at the New Edinburg Community Center.
Patricia McClellan, one of the organizers, said the event started four years ago during the COVID pandemic as a way for local children to have a trick-ortreat event. In that first event, vehicles would pass through the route and candy would be distributed to the children inside at each station.
McClellan said it was so popular that they have continued the event using the same format that was used the first time.
Those attending this year’s event will drive through a route that has about dozen lighted stations, each with a different theme. Most of the people giving away candy will be dressed in various costumes. There is no charge to attend.
Green House Cottages Fall Festival
In a lead-up to the Rison Shine Trunk-or-Treat event, the Green House Cottages of Southern Hills will be again be hosting its Fall Festival from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the nursing home located at 701 Main Street across from Rison School.
The Green House Cottages Fall Festival will include a wide variety of carnival games and activities for children. Among the activities planned are fish pong, a hayride, bouncy house, dunking booth, a nacho stand, cake walk and free candy.
Rison Shine Trunk-or-Treat
Rison Shine will once again host its Trunk-or-Treat event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, within the 200 block of Main Street in downtown Rison.
Churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals are invited to set up along Main Street to give out candy. Event organizers said those planning to participate do not have to sign up in advance. However, they must set up between 5 and 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. The 200 block of Main Street will be closed at about 5 p.m. for set up.
Those families attending the Rison Shine Trunk-or-Treat can access the venue from either Second or Third Streets. The 200 block of Main Street will be closed to guests until 5:30 p.m. to allow for set-up.
Kingsland Trunk-or-Treat
A trunk-or-treat event will be held on Halloween night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the pole yard in Kingsland located across First Street from Kingsland Missionary Baptist Church.