RISON – The fifth annual Hwy. 79-63 Junk Hunt is currently scheduled for Oct. 1-3 where it will run through Cleveland County with a new extension this year.
Junk Hunt organizer Jennifer King said she expects this event to go forward during the COVD-19 pandemic as the Junk Hunt lends itself to social distancing.
Per Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s current mask mandate, those shopping on the hunt and those setting up should wear masks when a distance of six feet between people is not possible.
“If stricter guidelines are put in place by the Arkansas Department of Health or the governor, or if in-person school is canceled,” King said. “I will make the decision to cancel the Junk Hunt. But at this point, the hunt is on!”
For the latest updates, guidelines and changes, follow the Hwy. 79 -> Hwy. 63 Junk Hunt Loop page on Facebook. Maps can also be found on this page.
King said the Junk Hunt will follow the same route as it has in previous years, starting at the Hwy. 79 exit at Interstate 530 in Pine Bluff and proceeding south along Hwy. 79 through Watson Chapel, Rison, Kingsland and eventually to Fordyce. At Fordyce, the route turns east along Hwy. 8 passing through New Edinburg on its way to Warren. At Warren, the hunt takes two paths, one turns north on Hwy. 63 heading back to Pine Bluff through the Cleveland County communities of Rye, Pansy, Rowell, Calmer, Woodlawn and Randall. The second path, a new leg this year, heads south on Hwy. 63 through Hermitage and on to Morro Bay.
The Hwy. 79-63 Junk Hunt was created after the inaugural Hwy. 35 Junk Hunt held in the spring of 2016 turned out to be a huge success. That route followed Hwy. 35 from Benton to Sheridan to Rison to Monticello and to Dermott.
After the first Hwy 35 Junk Hunt, King said she had so many people approach her about having an event that would include Hwy. 63. So, she came up with the Hwy. 79-63 Junk Hunt as the fall to compliment the Hwy. 35 event held in the spring.
King urges anyone who would like to participate in the Hwy. 79-63 Junk Hunt to promote their sale by posting in the Facebook group.
The Pioneer Village at Rison plans to hold its vendor hub again this year. For more information, call Sharon Gray at (870) 692-3130 or download an entry form here.
