A-State Block Party Set for Sept. 6 as part of Annual Paint the Town Red Week
JONESBORO - Details about the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 27th annual Paint the Town Red Week have been announced, including plans for its traditional A-State Block Party that will take place on Friday, Sept. 6, in downtown Jonesboro the evening before Arkansas State’s home football game against Tulsa.
The Block Party, sponsored by NEA Baptist, Gearhead Outfitters, Ramsons Construction and the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance (DJA), is scheduled to take place at 210 South Main Street from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The event will begin with live music by Aaron Headley and shopping opportunities with local vendors.
Many of the restaurants will be running specials and multiple family-friendly activities will be in place, including face painting, balloon artists, National Guard vehicles for kids to explore and the opportunity to visit with the A-State men’s and women’s basketball, women’s tennis, women’s soccer and baseball teams.
The main event gets underway at 6 p.m. with a spirit pep rally and performance by A-State’s The Sound of the Natural State marching band. An NEA Baptist representative will welcome the crowd to the event and kick things off by announcing the campus and business winners of the Paint the Town Red Week contests.
Head football coach Butch Jones, along with Chancellor Todd Shields and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton are all scheduled to speak.
JETS shuttle buses will run between downtown and the Arkansas State University campus from 5 until 9 p.m. with stops at the A-State Welcome Center, Embassy Suites and Chi Omega Foundation.
In conjunction with Paint the Town Red Week, one of the game themes for A-State’s contest against Tulsa will be Paint the Town Red. Fans are encouraged to wear red to the game, and commemorative Paint the Town Red t-shirts featuring Centennial Bank Stadium are available for purchase online by visiting RunningThreads.Chipply.com/PaintTheTownRed/.
Prior to the Block Party, local businesses are encouraged to participate in an A-State decorating contest which includes painting exterior windows, decorating facility interior and/or creating a cheer, skit or living outdoor scene to show pride and support for Arkansas State.
To sign up for the decorating contest that officially opens Aug. 26, contact the Chamber of Commerce office. Judging of the entries will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, the same day Valley View Elementary will host a “Back the Pack” pep rally led by the A-State Chamber Committee and A-State spirit squads at 9 a.m. During this event, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver will deliver a proclamation of the official week.
Arkansas State will kick off its 2024 football season with a pair of home games, including its season opener at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, against in-state foe Central Arkansas. A-State football season tickets may be purchased by calling the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401, online by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/Tickets or via the A-State Athletics App. 
The A-State Cheerleaders lead the crowd at the Paint the Town Red Block Party.
