Munro to be inducted into Walk of Fame

Don Munro speaks with guests at a retirement luncheon held in his honor in 2017. - File photo by The Sentinel-Record
Don Munro speaks with guests at a retirement luncheon held in his honor in 2017. - File photo by The Sentinel-Record

Local businessman and philanthropist Don Munro will join the ranks of Arkansas' most notable figures on Saturday when he is inducted into the Arkansas Walk of Fame at The Legendary Vapors.

The Arkansas Walk of Fame is similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but focuses on people associated with Arkansas. Those inducted have a plaque placed on the sidewalk next to the Hot Springs Visitors Center in Hill Wheatley Plaza.

The Walk of Fame was an idea pitched in the 1990s by Tom Wilkins, who said that, since 1996, "over 100 people have been inducted." Wilkins said he is "very honored to have someone of (Munro's) quality to join the Walk of Fame."

Munro, the founder of Lake Catherine Footwear, "has been a leader in (manufacturing) high-end shoes, quality, American shoes," Wilkins said, but his career in footwear is "not the reason he's being inducted."

"The real reason is philanthropy. For the last 40 years, (Munro) has given contributions out to not only people but different foundations," Wilkins said.

The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Legendary Vapors, 315 Park Ave., and is expected to last about an hour. Wilkins noted Munro and members of his family will be in attendance and teased that a large crowd is expected to attend including "a lot of dignitaries, a past governor."

Usually, the ceremonies feature the plaque that will be installed in the sidewalk, but they will have to make do without one this time.

"The plaque has been delayed due to COVID," Wilkins said, noting the plaque makers are "way behind."

"Should have it in a month or two," he said.

Wilkins said they decided to move ahead with the ceremony because they "wanted to do it now so Don will have a lasting memory and not have to wait."

Getting into the Walk of Fame is "tougher than you think," he said, noting inductees have to not only be notable locally to Arkansas, but also nationally.

"So many people have done a lot of things, but not all are nationally known, and Don certainly is," Wilkins said.

Wilkins stressed that the venue, of which he is the executive manager, is safe, noting "we take all the precautions." He said attendees are invited to wear masks and hand sanitizer will be available.

Munro is the second person inducted into the Walk of Fame this year following musician Henry Glover, who was inducted during Arts & The Park earlier this year.

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