Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 17, 2025 – All Sports Productions and the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission unveiled Jonesboro’s newest festival, The Skirmish – A Delta Gravel Festival on Friday at Gearhead Outfitters in downtown Jonesboro.

Bruce Dunn, CEO of All Sports Productions, the event organizer, said the festival, which will be held May 29 through June 1, will showcase two distinct terrains.

“From the rolling hills of Crowley’s Ridge to the sprawling farmlands of the Delta, this festival is an all-encompassing experience for anyone who loves the call of the open road,” Dunn said. “Blending challenge, scenery, and community, gravel cycling has exploded in popularity over the past decade. Now, The Skirmish brings that spirit to Northeast Arkansas, offering a four-day festival filled with rides, revelry, and unforgettable experiences.”

All Sports Productions is a sports event management company established in 2003 that promotes cycling, running, duathlons, triathlons, and other outdoor events.

Participants will first conquer Crowley’s Ridge, which according to a press release from All Sports Productions, “offers a taste of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain Regions’ challenges.”

Riders will then transition to the Delta. Participants can expect a helping hand from a southwest tailwind as they journey to the finish line in downtown Jonesboro, the press release said.

The competitive cycling event on May 31 will also include four distances with 20-, 43-, 63- and 100-mile courses. The 100-mile event will feature $750 prize purses for both men and women.

To kick off the festival, there will be live music starting at 7 p.m. on May 30, as well as a family-friendly “slow roll” ride through the Arkansas State University campus and downtown Jonesboro starting at 10 a.m. on May 31.

The free city parking lot on South Main Street will be ground zero for the event as the courses start and finish there, as do many of the other activities.

The Skirmish festival schedule is below:

  • Thursday, May 29: Warm up with a group ride to kickstart the event.
  • Friday, May 30: Enjoy two group rides, a vendor expo, a meet-and-greet with athletes, a welcome party, and free live music.
  • Saturday, May 31: Dive into the main cycling event and a post-ride celebration. There will be family-friendly activities at the finish line.
  • Sunday, June 1: Wind down with a short ride and a video and photo montage of the event’s activities. Awards, prizes, and memories will cap off the weekend.

Craig Rickert, executive director of the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission said the commission was excited to be working with All Sports Productions to bring a new and energetic cycling event and multi-day festival to town.

The Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission promotes tourism in the city to produce a positive economic impact through the funding, promotion and advertising of events held in the city.

“In addition to attracting cyclists from around the region to visit Jonesboro, there will be many reasons for local residents to join the fun,” Rickert said. “It is also extremely exciting to see so many outstanding organizations come on board as sponsors of The Skirmish.”

Dunn said that Jonesboro could see people from across the country as invitations have already been sent out from the All Sports database of about 77,000 people.

“I’m very intrigued as to if it captures the imagination today. But we’re committed for four years, regardless,” he said. “We’re going to absolutely produce a first-class event.”

Riders are asked to visit www.skirmishjonesboro.com to sign up and learn more about the schedule of events. The festival elements are free and open to the public.