Calendar of Events

No matter what the season, there is always something going on in the City of Decatur. Keeping our residents informed of scheduled events and local happenings is important. 

Do you have an upcoming event that you would like to add to our calendar? If so, send us an email and we will be happy to add it. When emailing us be sure to include who is hosting the event, where the event is happening (name and address of location), days and time of the event, and a little detail as to what the event is all about. 

We do not do ads for yardsales or garage sales. However, we will advertise the Pickin' Time on 59, which is an event that is for the corridor of Highwy 59. We also do not advertise fund raising events unless it is open to the community and is hosted by an organization or non-profit.

Upcoming Events

Decatur Depot Museum Opening

Begins: 7/1/2024 - 10 am
Ends: 9/28/2024 - 2 pm

The Decatur Depot Museum will be opening for the 2024 season on May 4th from 10 am to 2 pm. It will open every Saturday there after until the last Saturday in September which is September 28, 2024. 

July Dates: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

August Dates: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st

September Dates: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

70th Annual Decatur BBQ Fest

Begins: 9/7/2024 - 8 am
Ends: 9/7/2024 - 10 pm

This is the year of the 70th annual BBQ Fest! The theme is Community Strong with Our Patriotic Pride!

It starts at 8 am on September 7, 2024 at Veteran's Park (1105 Main St.-Go up and over the viaduct that is located across from Grand Savings Bank-Hwy. 102 West) with the following activities taking place:

Cornhole Tournament: Registration and pre-registration between now and September 7th. Sign in starts at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 8:45 a.m. the day of the event. Pre-registration is preferred but not required. You will be able to register that day, providing there is available room for all entrants. First round begins at 9:00 a.m. The cost to enter is $30.00/2-person team.

Tournament will be a double elimination-50% of the proceeds will go toward Decatur Chamber of Commerce, and 50% will be paid back prizes. Awards will be based on number of teams entered. Boards will be provided.

Hotdog Eating Contest: This is the first year for this and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter. You can pre-register online by clicking here or you can go to their Facebook page Hotdog Eating Contest, or you can register the day of. The contest will begin at noon on September 7, 2024. If you have questions you can text Lauren at 479-233-9073. There is a $20 entry fee.

Live Music: This is the first year ever that there will be live music from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. This year's entertainers are Paul Ehrhart III, and Bad Habit & Johnny Dale Roberts.

Parade: The parade line up begins at 1 p.m. and the location is at A Clean Get Away Carwash. All businesses, churches, and organizations are invited to enter in the parade. This year's theme is Community Strong with Our Patriotic Pride. The parade will start at 1:30 p.m.

Other Activities Include: Chicken Cook-off, Car Show, Tiny Tot Contest, Miss Decatur Pageant, Arts and Crafts Vendors, Food Vendors, Kids Activities, Inflatables and more!!

Come join the fun.

City Council Meeting

Begins: 9/9/2024 - 6 p.m.
Ends: 9/9/2024 - 8:30 p.m.

The City of Decatur, Arkansas City Council meetings are always held the second Monday of each month unless otherwise posted. This year those dates will be as follows:

September 09, 2024     6:00 PM     October 14, 2024       6:00 PM     

November (TBD Due to Veteran's Day)     December 09, 2024        6:00 PM

All citizens have the right to bring a concern or compliment to council and are given 5 minutes to speak about their concern to the council at the appointed time. However, the council does not have to act on the concern at the time it is presented. 

Pickin' Time on 59

Begins: 9/26/2024 - 8:00 am
Ends: 9/28/2024 - 5:00 pm

It is "Pickin' Time on 59!" This year the 26 mile yardsale event is held on Thursday, September 26th thru Saturday, September 28th. So, all of you artists, crafters, and junkies get your tables, your goodies and let's go set up somewhere along Hwy 59.

This event stretches all the way from Siloam Springs to Sulphur Springs! So, if you aren't an artist, crafter, or junkie, but you love to shop, this event is for you! A great way to start out, start early, and be sure to eat some breakfast because you will need your energy and strength for this event, grab your money, and let's go shopping! (You know Christmas is just around the corner, and it is a great way to shop locally!)

Businesses what a wonderful opportunity to bring back the sidewalk sales and promote your business!

So, let us all enjoy this time.

Free Yard Sale Weekend

Begins: 9/26/2024 - 8 am
Ends: 9/29/2024 - 5 pm

In conjuction with "Pickin' Time on 59," the City of Decatur is waiving the requirement of a Yard/Garage Sale Permit and its fee, so that the residents of Decatur, Arkansas can host a yard/garage sale. This is a great time for the residents to make some extra dollars, sale some items that they are in need of getting rid of, and to make a new friend or two!

This is a four (4) day event! We ask that all yard/garage sale signs be removed by the end of the day on Sunday, September 29th.

Good luck in your sales!

Fall Tree Give Away

Begins: 10/12/2024 - 8 am
Ends: 10/12/2024 - Until All Trees Are Gone

The City of Decatur, Arkansas's Fall Tree Give Away~is right around the corner! It is hard to believe it is that time of year!

This year it will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 8 am until all trees are gone. If you are interested in receiving a free tree for your yard, bring a current water bill and come to City Hall that day. City Hall is located at 310 Maple Ave. We limit 2 trees per household. 

This season's trees are: Carpinus Caroliniana (American Hornbeam), Cercis Canadensis (Redbud), Nyssa Sylvatica (Blackgum), and Quercus Alba (White Oak). 

Fall Clean up

Begins: 10/12/2024 - 8 am
Ends: 10/12/2024 - Noon

The City of Decatur, Arkansas inside city limits Fall Clean up is scheduled for Saturday, October 12th from 8 am to noon; this is the same day as our Fall Tree Give Away.

Curbside is no longer an option for this event. You will need to bring your items to the dumpsters that will be located at the southend of the city hall building located at 310 Maple Ave., Decatur, AR 72722 and there will be helpers to help you unload and dispose of your items.  Be sure to bring your water bill with you to prove that you are on the Decatur Water system.

Acceptable Items: Furniture, Mattresses/Box springs, Non-freon Containing Appliances, Toys, Bicycles (without tires), Push/Self Propelled Lawn Mowers (no oil or gas, and remove tires.) Clothes, Metal (sort into lengths), Glass Items (no broken glass), Carpet (Cut and rolled into four (4) foot lengths), and Metal fencing.

Non Acceptable Items: Items over 75 pounds, No lumber, No automobile parts, No appliances with freon, No microwaves, No construction debris (bricks, concrete, dirt, blocks), No guns or ammunitions, No liquids, No tires (even lawnmower tires), No lead paint (even dry, no lead-based paint at all), No railroad ties, No batteries, No animal carcasses, No TV's or any electronics at all, No pesticides).