Downtown Fourth of July Parade tomorrow!

     Downtown Rogers 4th of July Parade!

Happy summer, neighbors!

It's time for the Annual Neighborhood Fourth of July Parade!

WHEN:            Monday, July 4^th     Gather at 9:45 a.m.     Parade begins at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:          The Parade will line up in the Benton County School of the Arts parking lot off 6^th street.

THE ROUTE:  The Parade will travel south on 6^th to Pine Street; go east on Pine to 4^th, north to Cypress, west on Cypress to 6^th and north to BCSA.

THE FESTIVITIES:  Refreshments and socializing (following the parade)

WHERE: under The Tree at Jim and Nancy Swearingen’s - 412 S. 6^th  - (directly across the street from the BCSA lot).

Coffee and lemonade will be served; dogs watered and delicious goodies will be consumed.  All who would like to contribute to the food table are welcome to do so…in the past, we have enjoyed cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, muffins, cookies, fruit, etc.   New neighbors are introduced and guests and relatives are greeted.  Recognition of those who have served our country and patriotic songs are always a highlight.

So…dig out your red, white and blue duds; grab a flag, decorate your bike, trike, go-cart, baby stroller, golf cart, lawn mower, spouse or dog, bring your spiffed up pick-up, convertible, Model T, Harley, horse cart, roller blades, or just good old walking shoes. WHATEVER…just come and be a part of a wonderful neighborhood celebration.  We’ll be looking for you and your families!!

See photos of last year's 4th of July Parade on The Word on Walnut and watch for an update following this year's event.  And, be sure to subscribe (or forward to neighbors) to intermittent downtown resident email updates!

Are you supporting downtown Rogers?

• Recruit a neighbor to downtown Rogers!  Is there a great house on the market near you?  Hand pick your neighbors - who do you know who might enjoy the life you enjoy in our special community?
• Shop downtown merchants!  Support the unique businesses that make up the backbone of our community, and tell others about them! 
• Support Main Street Rogers!  Call 479-936-5487 to find out how you can be involved!  Connect with MSR on Twitter and Facebook, as well!
• Check out the downtown Rogers blog, The Word on Walnut, and feel free to submit story/update ideas!

Other ideas, comments, questions?  DowntownRogers@gmail.com.

The Best of Summer Downtown

Downtown Rogers, Arkansas is a special place... but you knew that, didn't you?

Fourth of July Parade

The annual downtown Fourth of July parade epitomizes the spirit of the place, with neighbors, newcomers and visitors alike bedecked in red, white and blue.  It's one of the truest slices of Americana that seems to still exist today, with every home and resident sharing in the glee.  The parade itself and the grand finale potluck gathering under the big shade tree seem to leap straight from the pages of Southern Living (which, incidentally, we're sure will cover the parade in all its glory one of these days).  In case you missed it, here are a few highlights:

Rogers Farmers' Market

Speaking of which, a recap of summer in historic downtown Rogers wouldn't be complete without mention of the Rogers Farmers' Market.  In the right-hand column of this blog you can subscribe for the freshest updates on produce and reminders of market days, which you'll want to do since there are many good things in store related to the Rogers Farmers' Market.  You can also visit the market's website in progress: www.rogersfarmersmarket.org.  In the meantime, get down there on Wednesdays and Saturdays through September and October for the best of the season!

Another reason to subscribe to those Farmers' Market emails: profiles of the farmers (know your farmer, know your food!) as well as easy recipes to make the most of the produce you score!


One last morsel of summer...

Sure, I'm biased... but it wouldn't be summer without a lemonade stand!  A certain young Rogers resident (and downtown enthusiast) had a corner on the market during the Twilight Walk this summer.  If you missed her, don't worry... she'll be back with her best-selling homemade lemonade in 2011.

Happy fall - see you out and about downtown!

Summer updates for Downtown Rogers residents

Happy summer, neighbors!

Isn't it great to live in historic downtown Rogers in the summer time?  Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

Fourth of July Parade - Saturday, July 3rd at 10:00 a.m.

The annual neighborhood Fourth of July parade will be on Saturday, July 3rd (that's tomorrow)!  Gather at 9:45 a.m., parade begins at 10:00 a.m.  The parade will line up in the Benton County School of the Arts parking lot off Sixth Street, just south of Poplar (the former Immanual Baptist Church).  The parade will travel south on 6th Street to Pine Street; east on Pine to 4th Street; north to Cypress; west on Cypress and north (returning to BCSA).  Refreshments and socializing will follow the parade under The Tree at Jim and Nancy Swearingen's home (412 South 6th Street, directly across from the BCSA parking lot). 

Coffee and lemonade will be served; dogs watered and delicious goodies will be consumed.  All who would like to contribute to the food table are welcome to do so - in the past, we have enjoyed cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, muffins, cookies, fruit etc.  New neighbors are introduced, guests and relatives greeted and a good time is had by all.  Returning by popular request, a band will perform on the front porch.

So... dig out your red, white and blue duds; grab a flag; decorate your bike, trike, go-cart, baby stroller, golf cart, lawn mower, spouse or dog; bring your spiffed up pick-up, convertible, Model T, Harley, horse cart, roller blades or just good old walking shoes.  WHATEVER - just come and be part of a wonderful neighborhood celebration.  We'll be looking for you and your families!

Downtown Rogers Farmers' Market

Don't forget the Downtown Rogers Farmers' Market this summer!  Stop by the corner of Arkansas and Elm on Wednesday and Saturday mornings between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or on Monday evenings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. for the freshest 100% homemade and homegrown fruits, vegetables, herbs and more!  Receive weekly e-updates on what's new at the market by subscribing here: http://eepurl.com/DM8t, or connect with the Rogers Farmers' Market on Twitter (www.twitter.com/RogersFarmerMkt) or Facebook (http://bit.ly/a6ufTg).

Third Friday Twilight Walks in the Rogers Historic District

Main Street Rogers presents Third Friday Twilight Walks in historic downtown Rogers, May through September, from 5:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. During these events, the merchants of the historic district host local artists, photographers, and musicians as well as promote special 3rd Friday Twilight Walk events and sales.  Each Twilight Walk is uniquely themed. The 2010 themes are:

• May 21 Celebrate the Arts
• June 18 Picnic in the Park
• July 16 Summer in the City
• August 20 Dog Days of Summer
• September 17 –Indian Summer

Other highlights include live bands and performances on the Frisco Stage; community art projects for children of all ages; street musicians, artists and crafters lining the sidewalks; loft tours of our historic downtown residences; and various local food vendors. Come and see our beautiful new intersections making downtown accessible to all and creating wonderful green spaces.

Many downtown businesses will remain open late during these special evenings. The historic district has something for everyone, including art galleries, vintage book stores, antique and flea market shops, restaurants, coffee shops, flower shops, furniture and interior design shops, a specialty quilting and fabric shop, an old-fashioned candy store, ladies clothing stores, silk floral shop, a store for engraved items and awards, the Daisy Air Gun Museum, Roger’s Little Theater, Rogers Historical Museum and more.

In conjunction with the Twilight Walks, the downtown merchants are holding Twilight Walk Raffle. Merchants have donated over $2,250.00 in gift certificates as prizes for the monthly drawings, and there is a final drawing for $500.00 cash prize in September. Ticket sales benefit the Main Street Rogers merchant association. They will be sold at most merchant locations for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

Twilight Walks offer the perfect opportunity to rediscover Historic Downtown Rogers. With great food, quality art, live music, and outstanding bargains at the stores, these events promise hours of summer fun for visitors of all ages.  Visit www.mainstreetrogers.com for more details.  Each Wed before the Twilight Walks the Morning News will be include an insert with highlights and a map!

Mark your calendar for Frisco Festival!

Don't miss THE annual event in downtown Rogers: Frisco Festival!  Mark your calendar for August 27 - 28, and visit www.friscofestival.com for all the event details!  For more information, contact Main Street Rogers at 479-936-5487.

Are you supporting downtown Rogers?

• Recruit a neighbor to downtown Rogers!  Is there a great house on the market near you?  Hand pick your neighbors - who do you know who might enjoy the life you enjoy in our special community?
• Shop downtown merchants!  Support the unique businesses that make up the backbone of our community, and tell others about them! 
• Support Main Street Rogers!  Check out their website (www.mainstreetrogers.com) for activities and events or call 479-936-5487 to find out how you can be involved!  Connect with MSR: www.twitter.com/MainStRogers or on Facebook: http://bit.ly/cs5K58
• Check out the new downtown Rogers blog: http://thewordonwalnut.blogspot.com/ and submit story/update ideas to thewordonwalnut@gmail.com.

Other ideas, comments, questions?  DowntownRogers@gmail.com. 

See you at the parade, Twilight Walk, Farmers' Market and Frisco Festival!

~ Your downtown neighbors