Jonesboro – The Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce (JRCC) is set to launch the 29th annual Paint the Town Red, a community celebration of Arkansas State University. The event, which encourages businesses, schools, and residents to display their Red Wolf pride, will run from Monday, September 7, through Friday, September 11, culminating in the Red Wolves’ first home football game of the season.
The home opener against West Georgia is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at Centennial Bank Stadium, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
"Our businesses, schools, community leaders, alumni, and neighbors come together to celebrate Arkansas State and, most importantly, to remind our students that they are part of a community that supports them and wants them to succeed," said interim Chancellor Calvin White Jr.
Organized by JRCC’s A-State Committee, Paint the Town Red Week will feature a variety of activities. Highlights include a decorating contest, a pep rally at a local intermediate school, and a block party downtown.
The pep rally will feature members of the A-State football team, cheerleaders, mascots Howl and Scarlet, and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver, who will officially proclaim it "Paint the Town Red Week" for the city.
"This is always one of the most exciting times of the year for our community and our football program, and we are grateful to the A-State Committee for their outstanding work to make it happen," said A-State Head Football Coach Butch Jones.
The week concludes with the Great A-State Tailgate, a family-friendly event scheduled for Friday, September 11, on downtown’s Main Street. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., attendees can enjoy live music on the main stage, several fun activities, and an opportunity to meet members of A-State athletics. Coach Jones is expected to deliver a keynote address during the festivities.
"We continue to place an emphasis on being a community-based program, and we’re thankful for the strong support we receive," Jones said. "We talk about how we collectively have ‘A Pride of Who We Are’ – those words are on our schedule poster this year – and seeing Jonesboro covered in scarlet and black is a direct reflection of that."
Paint the Town Red Week has been a key tradition for nearly three decades, highlighting the strong connection between Arkansas State University and the Jonesboro community.