Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The first-ever Grain and Gather Festival kicked off this weekend, bringing food and fun to downtown Jonesboro.
The celebration, presented by Arkansas Rice Federation, honored Arkansas rice farmers and agriculture with an assortment of rice-centered activities and events, leading up to the second annual Rice Bowl, a game between the Arkansas State Red Wolves and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.
The festival began Friday night with a downtown block party hosted by Ostara, featuring vendors, a kids’ zone with bounce houses, games, and face painting, rice-inspired dishes from local restaurants, live music, and even a rice-brat eating competition.
Kelly Robbins, Executive Director of the Arkansas Rice Federation, said that the event would not be possible without rice farmers and the community that supports them.
“Most of all, we want to make certain that we recognize our rice farmers,” Robbins said. “Behind every rice crop is a farmer making decisions, managing expenses, watching the weather and putting in long hours. There are families adjusting their schedules, employees keeping things moving and businesses providing the equipment, supplies and services that farms depend on.”
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“By the time that rice reaches a restaurant or our dinner tables, a lot of people have had a hand in getting it there,” he continued. “Tonight gives us a chance to make sure that those folks, those farmers and everyone in between know how much we appreciate them.”
Lemonade House Grille’s annual Buns and Beats Hot Dog Eating Contest officially marked the beginning of the event, incorporated into this year’s festival. Contestants had 10 minutes to eat as many rice brats—a special blend of sausage and wild rice made at Arkansas State—as they could.
Teddy Delacruz, visiting from Chicago, took home the $500 grand prize sponsored by Lemonade House Grille after finishing 10 brats.
“We’re doing this buns and all,” master of ceremonies Chris Hughes told the crowd. “We don’t give partial credit, so plan accordingly.”
Guest judges brought in by LHG included Jim Frigo from 104.9 The Fox, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver, 2025 Buns and Beats defending champion Eli Campbell, First Community Bank Sportsplex Marketing Director Madelynn Boop, and loyal LHG customer Glenda Robbins.
Another $500 reward from Lemonade House Grille was gifted to the loudest cheering section, which was taken home by the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Other attendees had the chance to win a $100 Gearhead Outfitters gift card by purchasing a specialty rice dish from downtown restaurants Brickhouse Grill, Lemonade House Grille, The Cotton Club, Skinny J’s, The Recovery Room, Omar’s and the Lounge at Huntington Square.
The party continued Saturday with the Grain and Gather Alpha Pack tailgate with fans getting ready to cheer on the Red Wolves at the Rice Bowl rivalry game against ULM.
Robbins said that thanks to the generosity of sponsors, from local businesses to national companies, the event was a success and he hopes that it becomes a Jonesboro tradition.
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