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HESTAND STADIUM ENJOYING ONE OF ITS BEST YEARS

By Ezra Mann/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Monday, July 7, 2008 9:53 AM CDT

Pine Bluff’s Hestand Stadium is experiencing one of the busiest and most successful years thanks in part to visitors from here and beyond.

Professional bullriding is just one of the many events held during the busy year at Hestand Staduim. Pine Bluff Commercial file photo/Ralph Fitzgerald

The Pine Bluff Convention & Visitors Bureau reported that 43,190 individuals visited the stadium from within the state and 5,850 came in from out of state between Jan. 1 and May 31.

Dale Dixon, president of the Hestand Stadium board, also attributes some of the success to Hestand Stadium being in high demand for events, including the Arkansas Quarter Horse Association May 23-26, which featured about 3,000 horses this year as well as representatives from 22 states.

Other contributing factors include volunteers giving countless hours and a slate of activities scheduled each month.

“This year has been huge and it looks like we’re growing,” added Dixon. “We get a lot of outside help including the Department of Correction who help us paint or cut the grass when needed.”

Dixon noted that the only thing he would change is getting the city government back on board with funding and assistance, which has not been given for the past couple of years. Dixon is a former Pine Bluff alderman.

The stadium was donated about 40 years ago by the George Hestand family and often depends on funding from the state or county.

To give back to the community, use of the stadium or other buildings on the property is sometimes donated free to many non-profit organizations, including as Neighbor to Neighbor and Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas.

“We have never turned down a non-profit organization,” Dixon said. “It’s about helping people.”

Some of the upcoming events this year at Hestand Stadium include:

n Lincoln County Saddle Club in the Arena on July 12 and 19.

n Mid-South Rodeo Association in the Arena on July 26.

n Blues Fest on Aug. 30.

n Southeast Arkansas District Fair & Rodeo from Sept. 29-Oct. 4.

n Pine Bluff Chamber Fish Fry on Oct. 30.

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