The Hardy Advertising and Promotions Commission (A&P) as well of the City of Hardy are gearing up for a big weekend this weekend as the A&P kicks off its Movies in the Park event.
“We’re inviting everyone to Loberg Park in Hardy. The A&P is putting this together and it will take place the first Friday of each month from now through November,” Hardy Mayor Ethan Barnes said. “The first movie will be Star Wars and we’re telling everyone to bring your own lawn chairs, popcorn, bottled water or sodas and come out. The event is free and the movie will begin at 8 p.m.”
Although the movie selection for each event has not yet been released the dates are as follows: May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6 and Nov. 13.
“This is something fun for the family to do and it’s free. It is just a way to get together with your community, have fun and just enjoy a movie,” Barnes said.
Following the movie night, there is a big day Saturday as the City-Wide Yard Sale and Merchant Sidewalk sale event kicks off.
“Starting early in the morning Saturday, the yard sales will start early. We’ve had several residents who have called city hall to get their address on the list and there is still time for that,” Barnes said. “This is for our residents and we want people to come out and enjoy the community. Stroll around the neighborhoods and see what there is to offer at the sales. We’ve been at work cleaning up the neighborhoods.”
Barnes said if you are a Hardy resident and would like to have your address added to the sale list, contact the Hardy City Hall at 870-856-3811.
In addition to the yard sales, Barnes said area merchants have put together specials, deals and giveaways for patrons who visit their shops on Saturday.
“I’m so glad to see the historic district come alive. Several merchants have put together several sales and they’ll be putting tables up on the sidewalks. Recently, we had the parking spaces and crosswalks painted, so we are asking everyone to just be aware and use caution, watch for pedestrians as they come down to Main Street,” Barnes said. “We invite everyone to come check it out, visit our local restaurants, take a stroll through the park, it may be a good day to get out and go fishing too.”
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current publicity chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.