Written by Tiane Davis // Graphic by Ben Evans
Searcy Beats and Eats partnered with the Arts and Life Performance Series to organize an event called “Bluegrass, BBQ, and Baristas” this weekend. At Heritage Park, Arkansas bluegrass band The Gravel Yard will perform at 7 p.m., with alumni Joe Oliver giving a pre-show at 6 p.m.
Director of the Arts and Life Performance Series Jay Walls was in charge of hiring the musicians, while Searcy Beats and Eats was responsible for organizing everything else.
“He brings the music, and we bring the fun,” Searcy Beats and Eats co-director Marka Bennett said.
The event will have several local vendors, including four food trucks, three coffee shops and two dessert trucks, Bennett said. Those who attend the event will have to bring chairs or blankets to sit on, she said.
Eight chess tables, a few live painters, kids crafts and yard games will also be available at Heritage Park. Bennett said one of the goals while planning was to host an event that could be enjoyable for people at any age.
“We also try to support as many local entrepreneurs as we can,” Bennett said. “We like to offer them free marketing, space and time with people who come to our events.”
This year will be the third year Searcy Beats and Eats has partnered with Arts and Life and the first it will fall on Harding’s Family Weekend. Director of alumni and parent relations Heather Kemper said she is grateful to have a way to give parents and students something to do together this weekend.
“To be able to plan events for them to enjoy with their student is pretty exciting,” Kemper said. “It is fun to kind of see it all come full circle and to be able to provide an environment for parents and their students to reconnect after not seeing each other physically for the last six weeks or so.”
Oliver, a Searcy native and member of the band Rivers West, said it means a lot to him that he was invited to perform at the event during this time.
“Getting to play for both my friends and family is always a gift,” he said. “Harding also means so much to me, so it’s fun to be around the campus during a time like Family Weekend.”
Inspired by music from artists such as Ben Rector and Jordy Searcy, Oliver said he has always enjoyed playing music for people.
“Getting another opportunity to hopefully share new songs and meet new people is always something I can’t pass up,” Oliver said. “I’m just thankful to have been asked to play in my hometown.”
