Clinton Park to Celebrate 4th of July with Food, Festivities and Free Admission

Seal of Little Rock
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006

Media Release

City of Little Rock Public Relations (501) 371-6801

Jordan Johnson 501-975-6251

(June 28, 2006 - Little Rock )---The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park will host its first annual "Family Picnic in the Presidential Park" on Tuesday, July 4. In celebration of our nation¹s 230th birthday, the Clinton Center will be open free to the public and will offer extended hours, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. The first 100 visitors to the Clinton Center will receive a free watermelon from Hope, Arkansas.

In addition to offering free admission, the Clinton Center encourages families to bring their pets and picnic in the Presidential Park. Food, games and music will be available. "We want families across Arkansas to see the Presidential Park as a fun and inviting place where they can relax and enjoy the scenic view of Little Rock," said Stephanie Streett, Executive Director for the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Within the Presidential Park, food vendors will be on-site selling snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers, Hillary¹s chocolate chip cookies and a variety of drinks. Several lawn games, such as croquet, horseshoes, Frisbee and badminton, will be set up throughout the park for visitors to use.

Throughout the day, a presidential re-enactor will be making special appearances inside the Clinton Center. Niel Johnson will be portraying our nation¹s thirty-third president, Harry Truman. Johnson will re-enact the issues and decisions of President Truman and his administration with three shows inside the Garden View Room at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

For the holiday, the Clinton Library will be open from 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., one hour later than usual. Besides the picnic, families can take advantage of the library¹s newest attractions: the audio tour given by President Clinton and a special exhibit entitled Happy Trails: Cowboy Heroes of the Silver Screen.

Additionally, Sturgis Hall and the University of Arkansas Clinton School will be open for tourists and visitors on July 4 from 9a.m. to 5p.m. The Clinton School students are doing their summer public service internships in locations around the world, including the Sudan, Vietnam and Bolivia. They will be returning in August, along with a new class of students.

To purchase memorabilia and collectibles of Arkansas¹ favorite son, visit the Clinton Museum Store, located in the heart of the River Market between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.