LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association (DHNA) has proudly announced the return of the 11th Annual Paul Laurence Dunbar Community Festival.

However, this year the festival has been reimagined as the Dunbar OCTOBERFEST 2025: Boots on the Ground – Lift Every Legacy. 

The festival will be a week-long celebration, spanning from Saturday, October 18, 2025, through Saturday, October 25, 2025. 

“This year’s theme, Boots on the Ground – Lift Every Legacy, is about action,” said Angel Townsend Burt, Executive Director of DHNA. “It’s about honoring the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before us, while empowering today’s generations to build, preserve, and carry the legacy forward.”

The celebration will honor the legacy of one of Little Rock’s most historic African American neighborhoods through a combination of arts, history, food, culture, music, and community.

The Dunbar OCTOBERFEST 2025 festival will feature the following:

• Historical Walk (Kickoff – October 18): A guided journey through the Dunbar neighborhood spotlighting historic homes, sites, and community icons. The tour will begin at the Dunbar Community Center.
• Church Tribute Service (October 19 – 11:00 a.m.): A celebration of faith and history at Wesley Chapel on the Philander Smith University campus.
• Student Contest Showcase & Poetry Tribute (October 19 – 4:00 p.m.): Winners of the Portrait, Poetry, and Essay Contest will be honored at the Rose Garden Café on Markham. The program also features local spoken word artists performing in honor of Paul Laurence Dunbar.
• Legacy Spotlights – Icons of the Dunbar Historic District (October 21–23):
  • October 21 (9:00 a.m.): Judge Mifflin Gibbs spotlight, lecture by Principal Tina Greenwood at Gibbs Elementary School.
  • October 22 (10:00 a.m.): Businessman John E. Bush, founder of the Mosaic Templars of America, spotlight presentation by Scott Hamilton, President of the Urban League, at the Florence Price Auditorium, Dunbar Middle Magnet School.
  • October 23 (6:00 p.m.): Teacher Sue Cowan Williams spotlight, lecture by Professor Natasha Walker-Jones at the Sue Cowan Williams Library [insert address].
• Portrait & Poetry Night (October 23, evening): An evening of art, spoken word, and live performance at the Rose Garden or Pyramid Books.
• First-Ever Community Fashion Show (October 25 – Festival Day): A historic debut on Chester Street! The runway will showcase breathtaking designs from Senegal, Africa, by international designer Fatima, presented by Yaba Yaba Boutique of Conway, Arkansas. This first-year fashion showcase brings global culture, elegance, and local creativity together on the Dunbar stage.
• Festival Day: Fashion, Food & Vendors (October 25): The grand finale features live performances, youth showcases, food trucks, vendors, and a vibrant mix of activities, including:
  • The Battle of the Bands
  • Line dancing with the Diamond Line Dancers, JT Line Dancers, and Cuban dancers, plus a “Best Line Dancer” community challenge
  • A Best Boots on the Ground Outfit Contest – show off your cowboy boots and hats in true festival spirit

This year, a special $11 Membership Drive is being offered in honor of the festival’s 11th year, with the goal of the drive being to encourage residents and supporters to invest in the neighborhood’s future.