Rally on the Ravine is celebrating its second year and will take place on Saturday, an opportunity to bring the entire community together to participate in one single event at Henderson State University’s intramural fields.
Before Rally on the Ravine came about, there was a festival in Arkadelphia called the Festival of Two Rivers. But after a number of years the participation in this event dwindled and it was soon put to an end.
Leadership Clark County decided to bring back a festival in Arkadelphia and decided with all the hype around the Battle of the Ravine that this was a great central event to support,” said Jon Merryman, Ouachita alumni director.
Rally on the Ravine is a great opportunity for both universities to come together and connect with the community. Rally on the Ravine is promoted not only by Ouachita and Henderson, but because this is a community event, there are multiple organizations that contribute to this event. They each work to come up with activities that will please everybody.
“A community committee plans the Battle of the Ravine Rally including some from the original planning group from Leadership Clark County, community and Chamber of Commerce leaders and leaders from Ouachita and Henderson,” said Merryman.
The festivities will begin early on Saturday morning at 8:30 with a five kilometer run. The run is hosted by the Junior Auxiliary. Following this event, at 9 a.m., there will be a run that is specifically for children called the Andy Allison Super Kids Run. This run is dedicated in memory of the son of Charlotte Allison, who serves as executive secretary for President Rex Horne.
“Students should all come join,” said Lindsey Fowler, external vice president of Student Senate and a junior political science major. “It will not only be a super fun morning but it is a great chance to show our school pride and spend time with other Ouachita students, faculty, alumni, as well as get to know members of the Arkadelphia community that we may not come into contact with often.”
At 10 a.m. there will be more activities for kids of all ages. These activities will include bounce houses, carnival rides, and a 70 foot tall Ferris wheel. There will also be a number of other activities offered in addition to events sponsored by Henderson.
“There will be tailgating, music, a photo booth, rock wall, face painting and an AC-130 flyover of the stadium just before kick-off,” Merryman said.
Ouachita will have a tent set up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in between Ouachita’s A.U. Williams Field and Henderson State University’s Carpenter-Haygood Stadium and food will be served here. Other events that will be taking place will include all of the social clubs as well as other campus organizations. They will supply food, drinks and other fun activities at their own individual tailgating sections.
“Rally on the Ravine is a chance to come together as one community and enjoy a fun morning together before the big game,” Fowler said.
For more information about the events and activities that will take place at Rally on the Ravine, contact Merryman at merrymanj@obu.edu.
Kick off for the Battle of the Ravine football game will be at 3 p.m. this Saturday. For more information about the Football game contact Todd Knight at knighttf@obu.edu.
