By CRYSTAL HOLLIS
T-H Staff Writer
The Third annual Circle of Friends Intertribal Native American Pow Wow will take place Friday through Sunday, March 29-31, for the first time in Forrest City at the Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds.
Admission and camping will be free to the public.
In the past, the pow wow has taken place in Lee County.
Activities will include singing, drumming, flute playing and dancing. Authentic Native American crafts will be on sale and the traditional Indian foods will be available.
Drumming and dancing will begin at noon on Friday and Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Pets will be allowed on the premises. However, organizers request those bringing animals should keep them on a leash or under control at all times.
Animals will not be allowed in or near the dance circles.
The St. Francis County Judge's office and the St. Francis County Museum are co-sponsors.
According to museum director Laura Mazzanti, SFC Judge Carl Cisco's office is helping raise money for renting the fairgrounds for the three days.
The museum also received funds from the Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission for signage and flyers.
"This is not going to cost the county or the museum a thing except for the rent and signage," she said.
"We don't have to pay for vendors, talent, travel or any of those expenses. This event is self supporting and raises money from vendors," said Mazzanti.
Mazzanti said the pow wow is always held on the last weekend in March and this year, it falls on Easter weekend.
"They did not intentionally schedule the pow wow on Easter weekend," explained Mazzanti. "We don't think this will be a problem. Kids will be out of school and we are hoping families will find it easier to attend" she said.
With the Circle of Friends Pow Wow growing more each year, Frank and Cinda Brent, organizers of the event, hope to see more people in attendance this year.
"The first year of the pow wow we had a lot of rain and I think Saturday was the only day we didn't have a lot of rain. There were six vendors, 50 campers and about 100 people in attendance," said Cinda Brent.
"Last year we had 25 vendors, two to 300 campers and about 300 people in attendance from the public."
She said this year the pow wow has room for 21 to 25 vendors and enough space at the fairgrounds for 300 to 400 campers.
The three-day event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Regan Hill of Forrest City announced today that he is a candidate for re-election to the St. Francis County Quorum court from District 7.
"I would like to thank the citizens of District 7 for the support they have shown in the past, and I would appreciate their continued support in the upcoming election," Hill said.
Hill was elected to the quorum court in 1993. While serving on the court, he has served on the personnel committee and is presently serving on the budget committee.
"While serving on the Quorum Court, I have tried to listen to the citizens of District 7 and to work with all the citizens of St. Francis County to make our county a better place to live," said Hill, adding, "There are several things we have accomplished over the past years. In my opinion, one of the most important things was the establishment and growth of the Northeast Arkansas Recycling Co. (NEARCO). I am very proud to have been a part of that. It is our goal to continue moving the county forward and provide the citizens with their necessary needs and at the same time keep the county financially sound."
A Forrest City native, Hill is married to the former Carla Collins, a teacher in the Forrest City Public Schools. They have two sons, Collin Benjamin Hill and Jon Ball. They are members of First Baptist Church. Hill is employed by Stevens Funeral Home and is co-owner of H and H Monument Co.
Chris Oswalt, of Forrest City, became the second candidate to enter the race for Forrest City mayor Monday, when he filed for the November general election at the St. Francis County Clerk's Office.
Oswalt currently serves as Forrest City alderman for Ward 4. Joining Oswalt in filing yesterday, was Tony Wilkie, also of Forrest City. Wilkie filed for the JP #7 position 3 on the Democratic Central Committee.
Filing for positions in the November general election ends on Monday, May 20, at noon. The filing period for the May 21, primary will close on Tuesday, April 2. Early voting for the May primary begins on May 6.
Two aggravated robberies were reported to the Forrest City Police Department on Monday.
The first was reported at about 10:45 p.m. at Planters Bank. Mike Evans, night manager at Sonic, stated he drove up to the night deposit box. Evans was approached by a man with a gun who told him to drop the bags and his keys and run down the street before he shot him.
The second incident took place in the Wal-Mart parking lot and was reported at about 11:33 p.m. Kariane Bosnick reported she had placed her groceries in her vehicle and was starting to get in, when she was approached by a man who demanded money.
When she said she didn't have any money, she reported that he pulled a pistol on her and told her to give him the keys to her truck. The subject reportedly left in the vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered, along with several items that were in the truck.
The Forrest City Planning Commission will meet today, March 26, at 4 p.m., in the city hall board room. On the agenda is a request for a lot size variance of 2150 feet for a manufactured home at 218 Dooley St., Forrest City.