Farmer and wife Cheryl
UPDATE JUNE 26, 2020
Benton Mayor Tom Farmer announced the cancellation of all city-sponsored activities that have walk up crowds that cannot be controlled, until COVID-19 numbers start declining. Farmer stated that Saline County has experienced a 14.2% increase of cases over the previous week.
The Downtown Benton Partnership cancelled Spook City, the Senior Center cancelled Old Fashioned Day, and the City cancelled Downtown Benton’s Third Thursdays for the remainder of 2020.
The drive-in movie on June 27 and the drive-in fireworks show on July 2nd are still happening. (See MySaline.com/events)
Activities in which crowds can be controlled and have gotten approval from The State Health Department will be permitted and the Mayor stated they will continue to monitor and adjust as needed.
“Arkansas has been declared a hot spot at this time and as a city we do not want to promote social gatherings, other than events where families can remain in their vehicles,” said Farmer. “We do however want to promote our citizens to keep shopping at our local stores and supporting our local businesses while maintaining the guidelines of the CDC.”
The Mayor urged everyone to wear a mask in public and practice social distancing.