Sheri Storie | Explore Pine Bluff, Executive Director
Pine Bluff, AR – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is gearing up to conclude its year-long celebration of the University’s 150th anniversary with the Spring Fling Community Celebration on Saturday, March 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Saracen Landing, 200 Lake Saracen Drive.
A noteworthy aspect of this sesquicentennial celebration is the display of banners commemorating UAPB’s 150 years of excellence. There are twenty-one banners positioned in the downtown area spanning from Martha Mitchell Expressway and Walnut to Main Street and 4th Avenue, along with 19 banners along University Drive from Pullen Avenue to Oliver Road.
This banner initiative is a collaborative effort involving the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the City of Pine Bluff, Councilmember Bruce Lockett, and the Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission. Headed by Councilmember Lockett, the project aims to enhance the city’s aesthetics by showcasing banners that embody the spirit of Pine Bluff, highlight its accomplishments, and offer a warm welcome to both visitors and residents.
Photo: Mary HesterClifton
Plans are in motion to expand the banner display throughout the city, alongside increasing banners in the downtown area, on University Drive and Hazel Street. Sheri Storie, the executive director of the Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission, highlighted the project’s importance in rejuvenating public areas and shaping a lively atmosphere within the city. Storie states, “The banner initiative is a key component of our vision to enhance community spaces with vitality. Art, signage, and programming are focal points in realizing this vision, particularly for the Delta Rhythm & Bayous Cultural District.
The UAPB Spring Fling Community Celebration will feature engaging activities such as robotics and art, performances by the UAPB Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South band and the UAPB Vesper Choir, as well as light refreshments and prize drawings throughout the day. This free, family-friendly event promises to be a fun-filled celebration.
Photo: Mary HesterClifton
UAPB News 
The celebration of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s (UAPB) 150th anniversary is not just a testament to the university’s enduring legacy but also a reflection of the vibrant community spirit in Pine Bluff. The collaborative effort to showcase the city’s history and achievements through the banner initiative is commendable. It highlights the importance of heritage, education, and community involvement in shaping the future. For those interested in exploring more about community-driven events and how they contribute to local development, visiting Explore Pine Bluff can offer deeper insights. This approach to celebrating milestones can serve as a blueprint for other communities looking to strengthen bonds and promote local pride. Congratulations to UAPB and Pine Bluff on this significant milestone, and may this celebration be a beacon of inspiration for many more years to come.