Melbourne Pioneer Day 2023

The 71st Annual Izard County Pioneer Day festivities will be held Friday, May 5, through Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Melbourne, AR. This year’s theme is “Dancin through the Decades,” and according to Melbourne Mayor Mike Cone, it will be bigger and better than ever.

The Grand Marshal for the parade is Shirley Pierce, of Melbourne, who is famous in the area as the “pie lady” and has made fried pies for locals for all sorts of occasions, including charity events. Celebrity Merle Haggard would come to Melbourne and request a pie from Shirley Pierce. Little Big Town also requested her pies at one point. Shirley has made fried pies for several of the grand marshals over the years, so it is her chance to shine as Melbourne’s 71st Pioneer Day Grand Marshal.

Events are scheduled as follows:

Friday, May 5:

6:30 p.m.- Gospel Singing – John E. Miller building, Auditorium, Ozarka College, Melbourne.

The Izard County Pioneer Day Gospel Singing will be held Friday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the John E. Miller Auditorium, located at Ozarka College in Melbourne.

8 p.m.- Rodeo, Izard County Fairgrounds Arena, Lacrosse Road

The ACA/ARA Championship Rodeo featuring pro-rodeo entertainment by Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson and the One Armed Bandit, will be held at the Izard County Fairgrounds Arena on Lacrosse Road on Friday, May 5, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 6, at 6 p.m. Admission to the rodeo is as follows: Adult tickets are $10 per person; kids, aged six to 12, get in for $5; and children under age six require no admission fee.

Saturday, May 6 (all in Melbourne)

7 a.m. – 5K Registration, Courthouse Annex Building

Entry Fees: Preregistration – $25, Day of Race $30. Each age group will have 3 winners. Medals will be awarded. Medals for oldest finishers. On the day of the race, T-Shirts will be passed out while supplies last.

Day-of-Race Registration Begins at 7:00 A.M. at Izard County Annex Building Across The Road From The Courthouse, course is well marked & has mile markers. Refreshments at Finish!!!!  For more info contact: Emily Delgado at (870) 373-0866.

AGE GROUPS – MEN & WOMEN:

The 26th Annual Pioneer Day 5K Run/Walk, May 6, 2023, will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Court Square, downtown Melbourne, AR.

9 a.m. – Diamond Age Registration, Court Square

The Diamond Age Luncheon is for anyone 70 years and older, and will be held by the courthouse with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The free luncheon is sponsored by the Izard County Cooperative Extension Service.

9 a.m. – Music, Court Square Bandstand

9:30 a.m. Kiddie Parade Line-Up, G.H. Miller and Son’s Parking Lot

10 a.m. – Kiddie Parade, Court Square

10 a.m. – Main Parade Line-Up, Truck Country

11 a.m. – Main Parade, Truck Country (heading towards Melbourne/Izard County Court Square). Grand Marshal: Shirley Pierce.

12 p.m. – Music, Court Square Bandstand

1 p.m. – Awards Presentation, Court Square Bandstand

1 p.m. – Baggo/Cornhole Tournament, Court Square

1 p.m. – Tommy Willhite Memorial Car Show, Meadows Chevrolet Car Lot

The Seventh Annual Tommy Willhite Memorial Car Show is set for Saturday, May 6, beginning at 1 p.m. at Meadows Chevrolet, within walking distance of the Izard County Court square in Melbourne. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s and Cancer Treatment. Registration begins at 12 p.m. There will be first, second and third place trophies for Antique (Pre-60s), Classic (60s-90s), Modified Classic (60s-90s), Late Model (90s-Present), and Street Rods. Classes will be further divided if needed. There will be trophies for Builder’s Class, People’s Choice and Remi’s Choice. Registration fee is $20 and if you would like a t-shirt with registration, the cost is $30. New this year is the addition of Motorcycle Classes: Baggers, Cruisers, Street Bike, Sports Bike and Custom. They will be judged by Rebel Creed Motorcycle Club.

1:15 p.m. – Music, Court Square Bandstand

1-3 p.m. – Kiddie Games, Old Revenue Department Lawn, Court Square

***terrapin races are scheduled within kiddie games***

1:30 p.m. – Golf Tournament, Cooper’s Hawk Golf Club, Lacrosse Road

2 p.m. – Terrapin Race, Old Revenue Department Lawn, Court Square

6 p.m. – Rodeo, Izard County Fairgrounds Arena, Lacrosse Road (See full details in Friday’s section of schedule, above).

7:30 p.m. – Street Dance, featuring True Country, Court Square