Editor’s Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com or use our newsroom email pbcnews@adgnewsroom.com to make additions or changes.
Underway
Regional Park light display open
The 29th annual Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends is open in Regional Park from 6-9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Admission is free, but donations are accepted at the end of the drive-thru light exhibit. The Pine Bluff Festival Association Inc., a non-profit organization, welcomes visitors to the Regional Park for the celebration of the Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends. “This display of lights, established in 1997, is made possible by your continued support for this project and has expanded over the years due to your generosity,” according to a news release. “This is Arkansas’s largest free drive-thru of holiday lights with 1.3 miles of more than 240 displays, many of which are animated.”
Monday, Dec. 22
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
City Wide Mission meets
The City Wide Mission will meet at 1 p.m. Monday at Cherry Street AME Zion Church, 800 S. Cherry St. The guest speaker will be Juanita Harris of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Attendees are asked to donate paper towels for the outreach project for this month, according to a news release. The Rev. Anthony Nero is pastor of Cherry Street church.
Church news deadline set
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline to submit church announcements is normally noon Wednesdays, however this week the deadline is Monday, Dec. 22. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Column writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Articles are accepted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Election chair calls meeting
Mike Adam, chairman of the Jefferson County Election Commission, called a meeting of the election board for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Election Commission Office, 123 S. Main St., according to a news release. The agenda includes relocation of a poll site from Tucker Volunteer Fire Station and new business: approve the budget request for 2026, and approve ballot proofs for the March 3, 2026, Preferential Primary Election, Nonpartisan General Election, annual Pine Bluff School Election, annual Watson Chapel School Election and the annual White Hall School Election. Public comments on new business items will be two minutes per speaker.
JRMC blood drive Dec. 23
Jefferson Regional Medical Center will conduct a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Henslee Conference Center. Walk-ins are welcome. Our Blood Institute is offering holiday shirts and movie tickets, while supplies last, according to a flyer. A photo ID is required of blood donors. Details: 877-340-8777 or obi.org.
Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 23
Christmas closings set
Several agencies announced the days they will be closed to observe Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Jefferson County — Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices will be closed Dec. 23-26.
Pine Bluff City Hall — Pine Bluff City Hall and related offices will be closed Dec. 24-26.
State offices — State offices will be closed Dec. 24-26.
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas — The office and senior centers will be closed Dec. 24-26. Southeast Arkansas Transportation (SEAT) will only be transporting people for cancer, dialysis and wound care appointments on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26.
CARDS Trash pickup — CARDS, the garbage collector for Pine Bluff, says the routes won’t be affected Dec. 22-24. The Dec. 25 routes will be picked up Dec. 26. Routes for Dec. 26 will be picked up Dec. 27, according to https://cardsrecycling.com/holiday-pickup-schedule/.
WM Trash pickup — For customers served by Waste Management for garbage pickup in Jefferson County, the company will be closed Dec. 25. If a holiday falls on a Thursday, Thursday’s trash will be collected on Friday and Friday’s trash will be collected on Saturday, according to the website. Details: https://www.wm.com/us/en/location/ar/pine-bluff/trash-pickup-pine-bluff-ar.
Thursday, Dec. 25
Christmas Potluck set
The 17th annual Pine Bluff Community Christmas Potluck (feeding the homeless and less fortunate) will be held Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Opportunity House, 1305 E. Sixth Ave. Donors are asked to prepare their best dish and share their Christmas, according to a flyer.
Beginning Saturday, Dec. 27
King Cotton tournament begins
Three girls teams and 17 boys teams will compete in this year’s high school basketball event Dec. 27, 29 and 30 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. This will be the first year since 2021 that a girls division will be included and Watson Chapel’s girls team will participate. Ticketing information will be available at King Cotton’s Facebook page.
Through Tuesday, Dec. 30
NAACP academic contest seeks applicants
High school students interested in participating in the Pine Bluff Branch NAACP’s 2026 Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program must apply by Dec. 30. ACT-SO is an enrichment program of the NAACP that recognizes the academic achievements of high school students. The goal of this program is to allow young people the opportunity to gain recognition equal to that which is often only achieved by entertainers and athletes, according to StuffinTheBluff.com. To apply for the 2026 Pine Bluff Branch NAACP ACT-SO Program, visit https://naacp.org/our-work/youth-programs/act-so-achievement-program. For details, visit https://vimeo.com/378283796 or contact Maryann Lee, Pine Bluff Branch NAACP ACT-SO Program chairman, at (870) 718-5330 or mizmaryann@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 31
2 Gould churches host year-end service
Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and Bailey Chapel United Methodist Church in Gould will host the annual End-of-Year Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Mount Moriah. The pastors, Phillip Puckett of Mt. Moriah and Curtis Gibson of Bailey Chapel, welcome everyone to join them as they gather in worship and gratitude to close out the year, a spokesman said.
Through Wednesday, Dec. 31
AGFC offers scholarships
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is accepting applications through Dec. 31 for conservation scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year. Any Arkansas resident majoring in a conservation-related field and attending an Arkansas college or university is eligible to apply. Students must have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants must also submit a current transcript, a curriculum vitae of their course of study, a 300-word minimum essay, and a short video about their background and career plans and how those relate to conservation, according to a news release. Becky Bloomfield, program coordinator, said incoming freshmen and sophomores who receive a scholarship will receive $2,500 per semester. This amount increases to $5,000 per semester for incoming juniors and seniors. Details: www.agfc.com/conservationscholarships.
Clinic offers free exams
Jefferson Comprehensive Care System Inc. (JCCSI) will provide free primary care exams from now until Dec. 31. An HIV blood test will be included in the exam. The exams are being held to commemorate World AIDS Day, which was Dec. 1, in an effort to end the HIV epidemic. The program is in partnership with the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, according to a news release. The free exams will be given at the Comprehensive Care clinics at these locations: Pine Bluff Clinic, 1101 S. Tennessee St., (870) 543-2380. Redfield Clinic, 100 Evening Sunset Valley, (501) 397-2261. Altheimer Clinic, 309 S. Edline St., (870) 766-8411. Arkansas Baptist College, 1724 S. Bishop St., Little Rock, (501) 737-2014. College Station Clinic, 4206 Frazier Pike, (501) 490-2440. Little Rock Clinic, 1100 N. University Ave., Suite 125, (501) 663-0055. North Little Rock Clinic, 2525 N. Willow St., Suite 1, (501) 812-0225. Open Hands Clinic, 3000 Springer Blvd., Suite B in Little Rock, (501) 244-2121. The exams are for all adults ages 18 and older. Appointments must be made in advance. Participants should call the clinics to schedule an appointment and patients must say “Delta World AIDS Day” while making an appointment.
Extension internships available
Applications are open for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s 2026 county extension agent internship. The paid, 10-week summer program offers college students an immersive, hands-on look at life as an extension agent. The internship is offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach and education arm of the Division of Agriculture. College juniors and seniors studying agriculture, horticulture or family and consumer sciences-related fields are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is Dec. 31, 2025, and those selected for the program will be notified by mid-January 2026. Apply online at bit.ly/apply-county-agent-internship.
Saturday, Jan. 3
Fred T and The Band to perform
Port City Blues Society will host an edition of the Midtown Blues concert series at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 featuring the Mississippi blues sounds of Fred T and The Band at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free for Port City Blues Society members and $5 for others. The blues series is made possible by Midtown Tire & Auto and Explore Pine Bluff, according to a news release. Fred T (Fredrick Robinson) is influenced by popular artists such as B.B. King, Keb Mo, and Johnny “Guitar” Watson.
Monday, Jan. 5
UAM sets spring orientation
The University of Arkansas at Monticello will hold orientation Jan. 5 for the spring 2026 semester. Prospective students are encouraged to attend and register for classes during the event. Spring 2026 semester classes will begin Jan. 7. Orientation for prospective UAM students will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 102 of the Student Success Center on the Monticello campus. Prospective students interested in attending the UAM College of Technology–Crossett or the UAM College of Technology–McGehee should attend orientation sessions on those campuses at 1 p.m. Details: UAM Office of Admissions at admissionsoffice@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1026.
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Chamber slates luncheon
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St. The speaker will be Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers, according to the Chamber newsletter. Lunch will be catered by Chick-fil-A. Lunch costs $15 and must be paid in advance by calling the Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
Thursday, Jan. 8
ASC to feature 2026 Small Works
The Arkansas Arts Council’s annual touring visual arts exhibition, Small Works on Paper, will open Jan. 5 and will be celebrated with a free opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. The exhibition will then travel to nine other venues across Arkansas throughout the year. Participating artists in the 2026 exhibition include Shawn Penister of Pine Bluff, according to a news release.
Friday, Jan. 9
Soybean Forum set at Dumas
Experts from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi will share information about issues facing soybean producers in the South at the 69th annual Tri-State Soybean Forum on Jan. 9. The event begins at 8 a.m. at the Dumas Community Center in Dumas. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Louisiana State University AgCenter and Mississippi State University Extension Service jointly plan the conference, according to the Division of Agriculture news release. Details: www.uaex.uada.edu/soybean-forum or Grant Beckwith, Tri-State Soybean Forum chair, at gbeckwith@uada.edu.
Saturday, Jan. 10
Pre-Coon Supper reception set
The 14th annual Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception will be held Jan. 10 at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett. The reception starts at 3:30 p.m. at the farm followed by the 82nd Gillett Coon Supper at the Gillett School Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m., according to a news release. Tickets to the pre-supper reception are $50 each and sponsorships are available. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. For more information about becoming a reception sponsor, contact Becky Barnes Campbell at (501) 912-7560 or Gabe Holmstrom at (479) 409-3329 or see the Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception Facebook page. Tickets to the Coon Supper may be purchased by contacting Tyler Place at (870) 830-4422.
Gillett Coon Supper set
The Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Club will host the 82nd annual Coon Supper at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Gillett High School Gymnasium, according to a news release. The club uses all proceeds from the coon supper to fund scholarships for Gillett area students. The Gillett Coon Supper will be attended by many national, state and local politicians, and people from all over Arkansas and surrounding states. Coon supper T-shirts and hats will be available this year. For ticket information, contact Tyler Place at (870) 830-4422 or write to P.O. Box 577, Gillett, AR, 72055.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Town Hall luncheon set
A Pine Bluff Town Hall Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Pine Bluff Library, 600 S. Main St. The event is sponsored by United WE, according to a news release. “Join us for an impactful gathering of local leaders and residents in Pine Bluff, Ark., to discuss strengthening women’s workforce participation,” according to a flyer. “United WE is a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan think-and-do tank driving systemic change by focusing on women’s labor force participation to strengthen the overall economy,” according to its website. For details and to register for the event, visit https://www.united-we.org/
Through Wednesday, Jan. 14
UAM displays sculpture exhibit
The Journey, a collaborative sculptural and mixed-media exhibition featuring work by artists Cindy Blair, Heather Gill and Tom Richard, professor of art at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, can be viewed in the Glassblock Gallery in the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at UAM through Jan. 14. The Journey showcases an assemblage sculpture by Blair, Gill and Richard in the downstairs gallery. The upstairs gallery features Blair’s illuminated polymer clay sculptures, which explore the interplay of light, color and form, as well as Gill’s collage works depicting birds of western North America, created during her residency in Arizona, according to a news release. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The gallery’s hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 22
Chambers hosts annual dinner
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner will be held Jan. 22 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. This year’s featured speaker is Bill Jones, CEO of Sissy’s Log Cabin and a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, according to the Chamber newsletter. Tickets to the dinner are $60 for members and $65 for non-members. Table sponsorships are $600 for eight people. For tickets or sponsorship information, email jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or call Jennifer Kline, Chamber director, at (870) 535-0110.
Friday, Feb. 13
Alphas set Scholarship Fundraiser
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will present the 2026 Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser Feb. 13 at 7:06 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The gala is being presented by the Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in conjunction with the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation. The theme is “All Black Affair with a Touch of Gold.” General admission is $50 per person. Scholarship sponsorship opportunities are also available, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. Checks or money orders should be mailed no later than Feb. 6 to: Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, Post Office Box 3159, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. Checks should be made to the foundation, which is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about the fundraiser, contact Arzo Knox at (501) 351-7336 or arzo.knox@hotmail.com.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Hospital foundation sets gala
Jefferson Regional Foundation will present the Winter Wonderland Ball 2026 on Feb. 28 at the White Hall Community Center. There will be live entertainment, according to a flier. Tickets are $250. For tickets and sponsorship information, contact Laura Beth Shaner at (870) 541-7210.