Stone’s Throw Brewing Block on Rock Returns

4th Annual Birthday Celebration on July 29 Benefits Historic Preservation

Little Rock, AR, July 17, 2017– MacArthur Park neighborhood nano-brewery Stone’s Throw Brewing announced plans for their fourth annual Block on Rock Birthday Bash today. The street festival is a celebration of the brewery’s opening in 2013 and involves local food trucks, breweries, a distillery, bands, and community groups. Block on Rock is on Saturday, July 29 from 4:00-10:00pm on the two blocks of Rock St. north of the brewery’s location at 402 E 9^th St in Little Rock. 

"We love the way this little street festival has grown over the past four years! It’s by far the biggest event we do at the brewery, and we are able to improve and grow the block party each time. The support we get from the community on this is extremely humbling.”

Ian Beard, Managing Partner Stone’s Throw Brewing

Admission to the block party is $5. Discounted armbands are available at the Stone’s Throw taproom for $3 from July 25-28. A portion of all gate revenue, alcohol, and food sales are donated to Preserve Arkansas, the only statewide non-profit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources. The previous three Block on Rock events have raised over $7800 for the group.

“Preserve Arkansas is thrilled to help celebrate the fourth birthday of Stone’s Throw Brewing on July 29! Not only is this a fun way to spend a Saturday, a portion of the proceeds from the Block on Rock Birthday Bash will benefit Preserve Arkansas’s education and advocacy efforts, which are designed to preserve Arkansas’s most important historic properties. Come celebrate Stone’s Throw Brewing’s adaptive reuse of a historic building in the MacArthur Park Historic District and support the statewide historic preservation efforts of Preserve Arkansas! ”

Rachel Silva, Executive Director Preserve Arkansas

1200 people attended the first Block on Rock in 2014 taking planners completely by surprise. Since then organizers have added a second block to accommodate more people, food trucks, and vendors. A stage was constructed for the musical acts, more volunteers helped with entry at the gates, other local breweries were invited, and more necessities like extra restrooms were included. The improvements lead to significantly shorter waits for food, drinks, and toilets despite attendance increasing to over 2000 in the following years.

“The first year was crazy. We sold more food in a couple of hours at Block on Rock than we did the whole time we were at Riverfest. This year I think we’re all planning on serving big numbers and we’ll be ready for them. After the Main Street Food Truck Festival this is one of the biggest gatherings of trucks you’ll find in Little Rock.”

Justin Patterson, Owner The Southern Gourmasian

Both the 700 and 800 blocks of Rock St., located adjacent to the brewery, will be closed off for the event. Entrance gates will be located along Rock Street at the intersections of 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Streets.  The mainstage is located just a few yards northwest of the brewery on Rock St. The Big Dam Horns return again this year and will perform a double set starting at 6pm; trees and buildings provide ample shade in the afternoon, and festival goers are encouraged to bring chairs. Beer is available at the brewery itself and at an outdoor Stone’s Throw bar on the 700 block of Rock St.; food trucks and other beverage options will be available in the same area.

“The Big Dam Horns have enjoyed playing Block on Rock the past couple of years and it’s great we can play again in 2017. We’ll keep it funky for a good ole fashion street dance all night long!”

Theron Cash, Managing Partner Stone’s Throw Brewing & Bassist Big Dam Horns

New this year is a partnership with the Arkansas Arts Center involving the Pike-Terry-Fletcher House. The grounds of the mansion will be part of the festival area creating a giant biergarten for people to enjoy. Rackensack Folklore Society of Pulaski County will play on the front porch with a rotating line-up of performers from 4:00-10:00pm. The Arkansas Arts Center will also be presenting demonstrations for festival goers to enjoy.

“The Arkansas Arts Center is excited to be part of Block on Rock and to showcase the talent of some great local artists. Robert Bean is doing a drawing demo, Beth Lambert and Julia Baugh are working on a pinch pot project, Randie Young has a chalk art project for adults and youth, and renowned hula hooper Katie Sunshine performs!”

Spencer Jansen, Manager of Member Experience Arkansas Arts Center

25% of alcohol sales and 10% of other sales will benefit Preserve Arkansas, the only statewide non-profit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources.

The following is the list at press time of vendors registered to participate in the Block on Rock 4^th Birthday Bash on July 29. Up to date event details are available at https://www.facebook.com/events/954580774650649/

Drink:
A Lively Brew Kombucha

Buffalo Brewing Co.
Damgoode Brews

Flyway Brewing

Rebel Kettle Brewing

Rock Town Distillery
Stone's Throw Brewing

Groups & Causes:

Arkansas Arts Center

CARE for Animals (Dog Cooling Station)
First Lutheran (Tours)

Preserve Arkansas
Little Rocktoberfest

St. Edward's Catholic

Food & Merchandise:
ArkieStyle

Black Hound Bar B Q

Desiacs Sandwiches

Hot Rod Wieners

Katmandu Momo

Loblolly Creamery

Luncheria Mexicana Alicia

Reggae Flavas

Slader's Alaakan Dumpling Co.

The Southern Gourmasian

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The Big Dam Horns (pictured here from the 2015 Block on Rock) return this year and will play a double set beginning at 6:00pm on July 29.

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The Block on Rock 4th Birthday Bash is Saturday, July 29 from 4:00-10:00pm on the 700-800 blocks of Rock St. in downtown Little Rock. 1200 people came to the first in 2014, and  attendance has grown to over 2000 since. Photo Courtesy Lisa Burnett.