The Gateway Community Association will host a Malvern Avenue Revitalization Kick-Off Celebration on Saturday to celebrate the continued revitalization of the neighborhood.
The celebration will include a live Caribbean steel band, Bingo, dancing, and an African Circle Drum performance, among other activities.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the 400 to 500 block of Malvern Avenue, between Church and Garden streets, and will continue until 7 p.m.
Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe will commence the festivities and District 2 City Director Elaine Jones will lead the entertainment opening. A special presentation will be made by the Gateway Community Association, in partnership with Remix Ideas, to two local businesses as part of its Black Business Ownership endeavor.
"We're offering two grants to two business owners; one is to Mama Vee's. We're offering them a grant that has a monetary piece as well as six months of consultive services to help promote their business," Jean Lacefield, Gateway Community Association Development Officer, said.
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The other grant will be offered to Tip Top Cleaning, Lacefield said.
The Gateway Community Association, formerly the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Association, is a 501(c)3 organization representing the Pleasant Street Historic District, adjacent to downtown Hot Springs.
"We wanted to not just revitalize the street, but also revitalize the spirit of a community that has strong cultural and heritage significance ... we're beginning to see the fruits of our labors," Lacefield said.
The Gateway Community Association started back in 1994, initially as a group of concerned residents in the community.
"They came together to address issues and concerns that the community had. It started just as neighbor helping neighbor," Lacefield said. The Association has partnered with the city of Hot Springs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and local businesses, among other organizations, to meet community needs.
"We've been able to put in a park -- the Reverend Rice park on Pleasant Street, a pavilion on the Webb Center, putting in sidewalks. We put in a number of things to help the lives of the residents and promote them doing business within Hot Springs," Lacefield said.
Those planning on attending the celebration can stop by the Gateway Community Booth to pick up a coupon for a free drink or side from 420 Eats food truck vendors. Parking is available on Church Street in the lot next to 420 Eats Food Truck Court, across from the former Habitat Restore Building.