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Special Events
Plant Swap
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 5 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville
- Saturday, January 7, 2023; 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Free Entry!
Join us for our first ever Jacksonville AR Plant Swap, where you can meet new friends and swap your extra garden plants, house plants, cuttings, and more! Free Admission! Participants must bring at least one plant, but the more the merrier! The more we have, the more we can trade! Snacks & beverages will be provided. Stick around to meet new people and join us to paint-a-pot, too! For more information, call 982-4171 or visit: Jacksonville AR Plant Swap | Facebook Date, time, & location subject to change.
Tips for first time swappers:
-Plants should be in some type of container
-Label your plants so your new friends know what they are taking home!
-Bring some kind of box or tray to bring your new plants home in!
-Make sure your plants are pest-free!
HIRE Jacksonville Job Fair
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 5 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville
- Tuesday, January 24, 2023; 11:00am - 7:00pm
- Free Entry!
Find the right fit for your future! Join us to talk with professionals in our community with positions to fill!
CALLING ALL JACKSONVILLE BUSINESSES! Do you have open positions within your company? Come set up as a business at our HIRE Jacksonville Job Fair - FREE OF CHARGE!
HIRE Jacksonville - Job Fair | Facebook Date, time, & location subject to change.
4th Annual Cupid Shuffle 5K Walk/Run
- Dupree Park
- 1700 Redmond Rd., Jacksonville
- Saturday, February 11, 2023; Run starts at 8am
We are excited to announce Jacksonville Parks and Recreation is hosting the 4th Annual Cupid Shuffle 5K Walk/Run, held on Saturday, February 11th, 2023. The race starts at 8am. Dupree Park’s USATF Certified Course (3.1 miles) will take participants through the City of Jacksonville! This is a chip-timed race! Registration can be found on https://runsignup.com/Race/AR/Jacksonville/CupidShuffle5KRunWalk and will remain open until February 9, 2023. Pre-registration is $25 or $35 Day-of-Registration. Runners 12 and under are $15 Pre and $25 Day Of. Participants will receive a t-shirt and a medal. For more information, call 982-4171 or visit: 4th Annual Cupid Shuffle 5K Walk / Run | Facebook Date, time, & location subject to change.
Spring Bridal Expo
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 5 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville
- Sunday, March 26, 2023; 9:00am - 4:00pm
- $2 Admission; $50 Vendor Fee
Gather inspiring ideas and meet the wedding professionals you need to plan your dream wedding! Vendors featured will be photographers, wedding cake decorators, venues, wedding planners, DJs, and so much more! Entry is $2 per person. Vendors wanted! Give us a call at 501-982-4171 for more information or visit Spring Bridal Expo | Facebook Date, time, and location subject to change.
Download: 2023 Spring Bridal Expo Vendor Confirmation
Register Online: 2023 Spring Bridal Expo Vendor Confirmation
Download: Terms & Conditions for 2023 Spring Bridal Expo Vendor
Easter Egg Hunt
- Excell Park
- Ray Road and Southeastern Avenue, Jacksonville
- Saturday, April 1, 2023
- Walking to Age 3, 10:15 a.m., Field 2
- Ages 4 and 5, 10:30 a.m., Field 3
- Ages 6 and 7, 10:45 a.m., Field 2
- Ages 8-10, 11:00 a.m., Field 3
Everyone is invited to Jacksonville’s largest Easter egg hunt! Children ages walking to 10 years old can participate in this holiday tradition in a fun and safe environment. 2000 eggs per age group. The Easter bunny will make a special appearance, too! All participants must arrive at Excell Park by 10:00 a.m. Admission is free. For more information call (501) 982-4171. Date, time, & location subject to change.
Four Legs & Easter Eggs
- Jacksonville Dog Park
- 1300 Marshall Rd., Jacksonville
- Sunday, April 2, 2023
- Registration begins at 2:00pm; Hunts begin at 2:30pm
- $5 minimum donation required for participation – all proceeds benefit the Jacksonville Animal Shelter
Easter isn’t just for people – come enjoy the hunt with your four-legged friends at our Four Legs & Easter Eggs celebration at the Jacksonville Dog Park! This event will feature an opportunity for your pup to hunt for Easter Eggs, take photos with the Easter Bunny, and enjoy the beauty of Jacksonville’s newest Dog Park! Eggs will be filled with dog treats or tickets for prizes, such as toys, experiences, and more! Hunts will be run in 3 heats for small, medium, and large dogs. When your pup touches an egg with its nose, into the basket it goes. Dogs must remain on leashes and be guided by a person capable of maintaining safe control of their pet. Dog park rules apply to all participants. $5 minimum donation required for participation. All proceeds to benefit the Jacksonville Animal Shelter. For more information, call 501-982-4171. Date, time, and location subject to change.
Underwater Easter Egg Hunt
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 5 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville
- Monday, April 3, 2023
- Ages 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12
- Admission: $5/participant; $3/parent
- Parents must accompany non-swimmers
- Prizes & Prize Raffle
Dive into spring with the Jacksonville Parks & Rec Department! Children ages 3-12 are invited to the Community Center pool to take a plunge for a chance to win toys, Splash Zone passes, and more! Call for more information at 501-982-4171. Date, time, & location subject to change. Registration form HERE.
Jacksonville AR The Market- Market Madness Block Party!
- 9 Municipal Drive (south of Community Center), Jacksonville
- Saturday, May 6, 2023
- Market Days/Hours: Saturdays, 2PM-5PM
- Market Season: May 6 - October 28, 2023
The Farmers’ Market has local, farm-fresh produce & handmade arts and crafts that can be found Saturday, May 6 - Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 2PM-5PM. Call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com for more information. Date, time, & location subject to change.
Stop by your Jacksonville Famers’ Market to purchase produce and products from local Farmer’s, Artists & Businesses. On May 6, 2023, we will have the Market Madness Block Party! You can enjoy live music & food trucks, and will find crafts, candles, artwork, produce/meat, flowers, and much more. Come out and visit us to see what all the “Madness at the Market” is all about! Come out and celebrate with us as we enjoy an evening of shopping, eating, and entertainment. Visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com for more information or to be a vendor call (501) 982-4171. Date, time, & location subject to change.
26th Annual Youth Fishing Derby
- Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex Lake
- 2800 Graham Rd., Jacksonville
- Saturday, June 17, 2023
- Registration at the event 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- Derby 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Lots of hungry fish will be biting at the annual youth fishing derby the Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex Lake. Fishing enthusiast, ages 15 and under, are invited to join in the morning of fun and fishing. Prizes will be given. For Derby regulations & more info, call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com. Sponsored by AR Game & Fish, Dick's Sporting Goods of NLR & Bass Pro Shop. Date, time, & location subject to change.
Big BANG on the Range
- Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex
- 2800 Graham Rd., Jacksonville
- Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Gates open at 5:00 p.m.; Firework Show at 9:30p.m.
Celebrate the 4th with a BANG! Get a front-row seat to the annual Big Bang on the Range Firework Show at the Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex at 9:30 p.m. on July 4th. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket for a banging, booming, rockets red flaring firework show over the wide-open range. Handicap accessible. The show is free & fun for the whole family. Call (501) 982-4171 or visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com for more information call 501-982-4171. Thank you to our sponsors: Jacksonville A&P Commission, Alice 107.7, Ellis HVAC, Unity Health & First Electric Cooperative. Date, time, & location subject to change.
Interested in being a food truck vendor at the BIG BANG event? Download & submit the form below to jacksonvilleparks@gmail.com
BIG BANG ON THE RANGE FOOD TRUCK AGREEMENT
Titans Obstacle Course
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 9 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville
- Saturday, August 5, 2023; 9:00am - 12:00pm
The Titans Obstacle Course is an obstacle race for kids ages 6-15 as an end-of-summer adventure that they won’t want to miss. Kids will navigate through fun and challenging obstacles including a mud run, slip n’ slide, tire run, noodle jump, and many more! This event will take place on Saturday, August 5th outside at the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, next to the Jacksonville Community Center! Participants will receive an official Titans Obstacle Course sweatband (while supplies last). Visit www.jacksonvilleparks.com for more information or call (501) 982-4171. Rain or shine. Date, time, & location subject to change.
Sign-Up HERE! 2023 Titans Obstacle Course Registration
FestiVille in Jacksonville
- Five Points - Main Street Jacksonville
- Saturday, September 2, 2023 - Labor Day Weekend; 8:00am - 8:00pm
- Admission & Parking are Free!
It is officially the 10th year of FestiVille in Jacksonville, and we’ve decided to bring it back to the Heart of our community – Five Points Main Street! Join us for Labor Day Weekend, September 2, 2023 for our city festival, which will feature Carnival Rides and Games, Live Entertainment, Concessions, Commercial and Non-Commercial Booths, a Petting Zoo, a Kid’s Water Zone and Dry Zone, and so much more! Admission and Parking will be free, but rides and some activities may cost. For more info, call 501-982-4171 or visit www.festiville.org. Date, time, and location subject to change.
Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex
- 2800 Graham Road, Jacksonville
The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and the City of Jacksonville were partners on construction of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex. A state-of-the-art public shooting range facility at the intersection of Loop Road and Graham Road in Jacksonville. This multi-use complex is the largest of its kind in the state. It includes a 14 trap fields, three skeet overlays, three lit fields, two pavilions, a lake, and a 5,100 square foot Witt Stephens, Jr. Clubhouse that includes the First Security Learning Center. The Range is open to the public 10am - 7pm (Fall/Winter 9a-5p) Wednesday through Sunday. For a list of events at the shooting complex go to: Jacksonville Shooting Complex
The Great Pumpkin Plunge
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 5 Municipal Dr., Jacksonville
- Saturday, October 28, 2023; TBD
- Admission $5 per participant
Dive into spooky season with the Jacksonville Parks and Rec Aquatics Department! Children ages 3-12 are invited to the Community Center pool to take a plunge for a pumpkin of their own that they get to take home and leave with a bag of treats worthy of Halloween! Admission is $5 / participant. Parents must accompany non-swimmers. Participants will be sent in age groups. Date, time, and location subject to change.
Trunk or Treat
- Dupree Park
- 1700 S Redmond Rd, Jacksonville
- Tuesday, October 31, 2023; 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
It’s Halloween time, ready or not. Meet us at Dupree Park! Park your car, pop the trunk and fill it up with lots of junk. Candy, treat – bring it all so the kiddies can have a ball. It’s free to get in and trick-or-treat safely with family. Join Jacksonville Parks and Recreation for Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, October 31st from 5:30pm-8pm. There will be trunk contests, music, lots of candy, and more. Bring your car to the parking lot, decorate it, and bring candy to hand out to the little ones. If handing out candy isn’t your thing, volunteers are needed for the games and activities. Fill out your trunk agreement here 2023 Trunk Application Call (501) 982-4171 for more details or visit Date, time, and location subject to change.
46th Annual Holiday Craft & Gift Sale
- Jacksonville Community Center
- 5 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville
- Two-Day Event:
- Friday, November 17, 2023 - 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 18, 2023 - 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Capture the spirit of the season at the 46th Annual Holiday Craft and Gift Sale. Purchase original works of art and unique gifts from Arkansas artists and vendors from surrounding areas. Handmade creations include woodwork, paintings, jewelry, holiday décor, and more. Concessions available. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children ages 12 – 18. For vendor space & more information call (501) 982-4171. Holiday Craft & Gift Sale Application. No refunds. Date, time, and location subject to change.
The 46th HCGS will feature a Chocolate Gravy Cook-Off by the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center. Tasting will take place at the Jacksonville Community Center on Saturday, November 18th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for $1. JOIN THE COMPETITION: Cook-Off entry fee is $10/ Craft Sale Vendor entry fee just $5. Chocolate Gravy Cook-Off Entry Download All proceeds benefit the Jacksonville Senior Wellness & Activity Center. For more information call (501) 982-4171.
ONLINE ENTRY FOR CHOCOLATE GRAVY COOK-OFF: Click HERE
CRAFT SALE VENDOR ONLINE ENTRY FOR CHOCOLATE GRAVY COOK-OFF: Click HERE
66th Annual Jacksonville Christmas Parade
- Saturday, December 2, 2023 - Main Street, Jacksonville
- 10:00 AM - Letters to Santa, Hot Cocoa & Crafts at the Community Center #5 Municipal Drive
- 3:00 PM - City of Jacksonville Christmas Parade - Sharp Drive to United Methodist Church
- 5:15 PM - Christmas Tree Lighting at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
The Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department wants to keep the Christmas spirit alive by hosting a Christmas Parade on December 2, 2023 beginning at 3pm. This parade features decorated floats and the featured guest, Santa, along with parade favorites: marching bands, floats, dance groups, and the fire department. The parade will begin at the corner of Sharp St. and Main Street and will end at First United Methodist Church on Main Street. Admission is FREE! For more information call (501) 982-4171.
Float entry fee is $25. Awards will be given in several categories.
To Enter a Float - Register Online Here | Rules for Float Entries