Centerton marks the 49th year of its annual Centerton Days celebration this Friday and Saturday, offering families a packed schedule of events that invite neighbors to gather and enjoy the slower rhythms of community life.
The festivities begin Friday evening with the Centerton Day Pageant from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Centerton Court Building, where contestants compete while the town’s residents settle in for one of the event’s longstanding traditions. Later that night, the second annual Rib Competition fires up at 8 p.m. just down the road at Ace Hardware on East Centerton Boulevard. The savory competition continues into Saturday, wrapping up with a ceremony at 2 p.m. where winners will be announced.
Saturday’s lineup is layered with family-friendly opportunities that stretch from dawn until afternoon. The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at Fire Station No. 1 on West Centerton Boulevard. The smell of fresh syrup and sizzling bacon promises a welcome start for hungry kids and their parents alike.
Nearby, the Kid’s Fishing Derby at Lake Centerton offers a chance for children to cast their lines under the watchful eyes of the Centerton Public Works Department. This outdoor event invites families to spend a few hours by the water, hoping for a catch while savoring the briskness of an early autumn morning. Young anglers should bring their own fishing poles and bait, though organizers usually provide some supplies for newcomers. It’s the kind of simple pleasure that stays in your memory—kids’ laughter mingling with the ripples across the lake.
Throughout the day, the town will bustle with activities along Main Street, including a parade, vendor booths, and live music, gathering a mix of folks who come for the sense of connection as much as for the events themselves. The vibrant hum of early dinner conversations will carry into the Rib Competition as judges sample smoky ribs lined up in tents near the hardware store.
This weekend also offers glimpses into Centerton’s unfolding story: residents watching their hometown mature while holding tight to traditions like the fishing derby and the pageant. The event showcases the energy of small-town life, where fire trucks and pancake griddles, fishing rods and parade floats form a shared rhythm marking another year of community.
Families planning to partake should expect some walkable spots but also a good chance to park along Centerton Boulevard or at the fire station. Comfortably casual clothing, sunscreen for the early daylight hours, and a readiness to meet neighbors will go a long way. Most daytime activities are free, making the weekend an accessible way to make memories without the fuss.
Centerton Days isn’t just a backdrop of events; it’s a chance for local kids, parents, and seniors alike to pause in their weeks and celebrate those moments of casual joy—the first pancake flipped just right, the triumphant tug on a fishing line, the aroma of ribs mingling with the cooler fall air. It’s a weekend that invites everyone to roll up their sleeves, step outside, and reconnect with a town that’s as much about the people as the places they come to love.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
