SummerFest Uptown, a series of themed festivals along Park Avenue, was first conceived in 2013. This festival was designed to bring attention to the beautiful Uptown neighborhood and all of the marvelous improvements that have been made in the last ten years or so. The SummerFest Uptown committee works with the Park Avenue Community Association and other community organizations to create fun- filled events that showcase Uptown as a beautiful, safe place to walk, shop, play and live.
The festivals sparked a renewed pride in the uptown community, and ignited an interest in reviving a historic lighting project for uptown Park Avenue first conceived in 2001. These plans have been updated to suit the current needs of Park Avenue, as well as to protect its historical significance.
SummerFest Uptown became the vehicle for fundraising this lighting project, affectionately called “Light Uptown.” PACA and the city of Hot Springs have joined with SummerFest Uptown to merge the plans and ideas into a workable project. The choice of New York’s Central Park style light complements downtown historic lighting and becomes a welcoming transition to uptown. The first light was installed in November 2017, in front of the Hot Springy dinghy. Upon completion of light Uptown, approximately 11 blocks of Park Avenue from Central Avenue to circle drive, will be illuminated by this historic styled lighting.
If you would like to have a light named after you or someone you love, call us. We would be happy to tell you how!
This year’s SummerFest Uptown is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, from 11:00am till 6:00pm. While it will spread out along Park Avenue, the central location for Free live entertainment will be at Dame Fortune’s cottage Court, 610 Park Ave.
Its shaded lawn and parking offer a comfortable and exciting area for a festival. It is a free festival, with free entertainment and fun for the entire family. There will be vendors with food, crafts and other assorted merchandise.
One of the festivals highlights will be a salsa challenge. Do you think you make the very best salsa, prove it! Enter the Salsa Challenge. There will be a People’s Choice award as well as a panel of judges.
Plan to come and spend the day on beautiful historic Uptown Park Avenue on Saturday, May 19.
For more information, check our Facebook: SummerFest Uptown or call Hannah at 501-282-1872.
