TEXARKANA, Ark. — A local business owner said an upcoming festival is his way of giving back to a community that continues to support him.
Tony Miller, owner of East Street Pawn & Jewelry, is prepping for the College Hill Community Fall Festival. It is the second event since the pawn shop opened in September 2023 in the 500 block of East Street in the College Hill neighborhood.
About 20 businesses are expected to participate. Each will decorate a portable building in Halloween or fall flair and supply sweet treats and other goodies to children who haunt their doorways.
Miller described it as a mini trick-or-treat village for children, particularly in the College Hill neighborhood, who otherwise may not be able to travel to a similar neighborhood event across town.
Last year’s festival exceeded Miller’s expectations. He estimated about 2,000 children and 1,000 adults visited the 10 buildings decorated.
“We bought every stick of candy in College Hill,” he said.
He predicts between 5,000 and 6,000 could attend this year. As a precaution, East Street Pawn already has purchased about 6,000 pieces of candy, which does not include what the participating businesses will bring.
Life House Church, which is south of the pawn shop on East Street, will provide hot dogs. Kayla Mercer will be doing face painting.
All activities and meals are completely free.
“All they have to do is show up,” Miller said about families.
The event also is a way for the children to interact with public servants, Miller said. To that end, Miller County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department officers and members of Satellite Volunteer Fire Department (Fouke, Arkansas) will be on hand.
Miller said his attachment to the College Hill community extends beyond an appreciation for the business its residents have given him.
“There’s not enough on this side of town for kids to do. We have to take care of the kids,” he said.
Through the festival, he aims to fill that voide, as well as to show his gratitude — but not just to East Street Pawn patrons.
“I always want to pay it forward, because God said to do so,” he said.
The College Hill Community Fall Festival will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
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COLLEGE HILL COMMUNITY FALL FESTIVAL SPONSORS
East Street Pawn & Jewelry
Oxi Fresh
Senior Citizens Services of Texarkana
Cornerstone Counseling Clinic
Jesse Procella
Tony Langford Roofing
Ashley Taylor Insurance
Mark Luckett
J.E. Bonding
Tri-State Scrap Metal
BCS Connex
Kemper Life Insurance
Cossacks Motorcycle Club
Shorty’s Donut Shop and Diner
Life House Church and Outreach Center
Electrical Wizard
Texarkana Tire and Wheel
Americold Logistics of Texarkana
Jory’s Plumbing
Bridging the Gaps of Arkanasas
Weaver Painting and Remodeling
Crazy Horse Saloon
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