Malvern National Bank is a proud sponsor of the Brickfest 5K Run again this year.
Contact Tony Jenkins at aij_ins@yahoo.com or 501-815-2383.
June 23rd & 24th, It’s a fun 2 days! Come out and visit us and plan to stay!
The Malvern Brickfest commemorates the importance of bricks to the history of Malvern and Hot Spring County. Since 1887, the brick industry has played a leading role in the area’s economic development. Beginning in 1981, Malvern has recognized and celebrated that fact with a community festival each summer.
In 1980, Malvern and Perla were the homes to three brick plants. At that time, the Malvern/Hot Spring County Chamber of Commerce declared the city to be the “Brick Capital of the World” and the following year, members decided to sponsor a festival that recognized the importance of the product to the region. Roy Renfro, director of the chamber at that time, is given credit for getting things started. There have been hundreds of volunteers from the community that have made it successful year after year.
Brickfest is traditionally held the last full week-end each June, with activities beginning Friday at Noon and ending Saturday night. The festival was held at the Hot Spring County Courthouse for 29 years but was moved to the Malvern City Park in June, 2010 to accommodate larger crowds. It ended up being a great move that revitalized the existence of the festival.
Acme Brick is the only remaining brick plant in Malvern and Perla and they are very involved in the festival by providing souvenir brick, making the brick for the Brick Car Derby, Best Dressed Brick, Brick Toss and bricks for all trophies given for the different activities. On top of all this, they provide a display of its product and donate 10,000 bricks as a prize in the Saturday night prize drawing.
Music is provided to the public at no cost beginning Friday evening and all day Saturday along with other events that include Car and Truck Show, Motorcycle Show, Beauty Pageant (Saturday prior to festival), Watermelon Eating Contest, Kid’s Coin Hunt, Scavenger Hunt, Dog Show, 5K Run, Brick Car Derby, Brick Toss, Best Dressed Brick, Baby Contest, Baby Back Rib Cook-Off and more. Several Food Vendors are set up along with booths that offer Arts and Crafts and merchandise.
