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Hickerson Arena
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Rebecca Moser Hickerson loved life, her family, good friends, and
horses. From an early age, through college, and into adulthood, she
competed in horse shows winning many trophies, awards, recognition,
and a multitude of friends. Her life was cut short by cancer on
December 31, 1992 at age thirty. The arena located at the Izard
County/North Central Arkansas District fair grounds is used for
horse shows, rodeos, and other competitions including the
prestigious Arkansas-Missouri Horse Show. The arena is recognized as
one of the premiere equine arenas in the state of Arkansas.
Rebecca’s father, L.D. Moser, spent countless hours to make this
arena a reality and continues to maintain and care for the arena to
this day. Because of Rebecca’s love of horses and the Moser family’s
dedication, the arena is dedicated and named to honor the memory of
Rebecca Moser Hickerson. |
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Senator
Paul
&
Treva
Miller Building
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Paul Gray and Treva Miller have
been very involved with the progress of our community. Treva served
as a teacher in the public schools for thirty-four years. Most of
this time was spent in the first grade at Melbourne Elementary
School. Paul Gray was a coach, teacher, principal and
superintendent during his education career. He now owns Paul Miller
Motors located in Melbourne, Arkansas. After many years of service
in the dealership, he has passed management down to his two sons,
Gene and Bob Miller. Paul Gray now serves as an Arkansas Senator
for a section of north central Arkansas which includes five
counties. He and Treva reside on a small farm in Melbourne and have
raised beef cattle in past years. They have been involved in
numerous civic organizations and projects, as well as being long
time members of the First Baptist Church of Melbourne. The Millers
were generous enough to donate the building used for commercial
exhibits which is name in their honor. Thank you for your
generosity Senator! |
Johnnie Walker
Livestock
Barn
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Mr. Johnnie Walker was a
life long farmer in Izard County. He served on the Izard County
Fair Board for approximately 20 years and was instrumental in making
many changes and improvements to the fair. Mr. Walker became
involved with the Fair Board through his love and knowledge of beef
cattle and horses. Each year, The Johnnie Walker family sponsors
belt buckles for the Izard County Fair. These prestigious awards
are known as the “Johnnie Walker Beef Herdsman” and the “Johnnie
Walker Jr. Horse High Point.” The Johnnie Walker Livestock Barn on
the Izard County/North Central Arkansas District Fairgrounds was
named and dedicated to honor the memory of Mr. Johnnie Walker. |
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Dewel Pettway-
Johnnie Walker Beef
Herdsman Winner (tie) |
Tiffany Greenstreet-
Johnnie Walker Jr.
Horse High Point |
Kelley Sohns-
Johnnie Walker Beef
Herdsman Winner (tie) |
Boyce and Irene
Cook Amphitheater
Boyce and Irene Cook
were both very active in the community. Boyce Cook was Izard County
Sheriff from 1947-1952, Izard County Judge from 1953-1958, again
Izard County Sheriff from 1959-1964 and Revenue Officer from
1965-1966. After retiring from Izard County office, Boyce and Irene
Cook built and operated Pioneer Nursing Home from 1967 until their
death.
Boyce and Irene Cook had three daughters. Boyce was instrumental in
getting the first amphitheater built at the old fair grounds where
City Hall is now located. Irene was a beautician and loved to dress
up her girls to compete in the Beauty Pageants.
Due to all their hard work in several community activities, their
love for Izard County, and especially Irene’s love of beauty
pageants, the amphitheater was named for Boyce and Irene Cook.
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Edith Morehead
Pavilion
Edith Mae
(Blankenship) Morehead, born February 20, 1924, has been
involved in the Izard County Fair practically all of her life. Her
father, Ted Blankenship, was one of the first shareholders in the
fair.
Ted and her mother, Asalee (Neal) Blankenship were fair
superintendents over the poultry as long as their health allowed.
Edith took their place and was poultry superintendent for many
years.
Edith married Herman Morehead in 1947 and they raised four children:
Vivian Mitchell, Gladys Tate, Willis Morehead, and Herley Morehead.
Herman passed away in 1976.
Edith helped raise cattle, hogs, chickens, rabbits, ducks, turkeys
and, of course, a plow horse or two. She was active in 4-H as a
member and later as a leader. She passed her exam and taught school
at Red Hill for one year before she married.
Even with declining health, Edith Morehead continues to help during
the Izard County and North Central Arkansas District Fair at the
poultry barn alongside her children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren.
Edith Morehead is a living tribute to the strong will and the spirit
of people in the Ozarks. Because of her love for the fair and
dedication to 4-H projects, the picnic pavilion on the Izard
County/North Central Arkansas District Fairgrounds is named to honor
Edith Morehead. |
Farm Bureau Livestock
Show
Arena
Farm Bureau
Poultry Barn
Demolition Derby Track
Fairground
Map
Photos
courtesy of Cindy Stewart, White River Current,
wrcnews@centurytel.net
and Mark Green
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