Date: April 1, 2026 | Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton | Photography: Mandy Jayne |
Community is key for the passionate people in this White County college town
Harding University is at the heart of Heather Kemper’s Searcy story. Not only is the school where she currently serves as Executive Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, but it’s also what drew her to the town as a student almost 30 years ago. An Atlanta native, she met her husband, Lance, at Harding, and the two quickly decided to make the town their home. “It’s been a great place for us to have a career, be a part of a special community, and raise our kids,” Heather says. Plus, with her sister and parents having relocated to Searcy as well, it’s truly a hub for the whole family.In her role at Harding, Heather connects with alumni and parents all over the world while also coordinating campus events—a skillset she carries into her experience as a volunteer, too. For almost 10 years, she has been involved with Beats & Eats, an arts and entertainment organization that plans and executes events for all ages. “It has been a family affair to bring people to Searcy all these years. It’s not just us, but our kids are getting to see what it’s like to be involved and invest in your community. I think that’s been formative,” she says. Here, Heather shares more about Searcy’s community involvement and how the city has grown since her days as a student.
Heather Kemper
Q: Tell us more about Beats & Eats. What kind of events does the organization produce?
A: I am one of the founding directors of Searcy Beats & Eats, which was created in 2017 by a group of people who wanted more from our town. We wanted to define its identity better. We’re proud to live here, so we want people to stay for the weekend and have fun, family-friendly activities to attend. Since then, Beats & Eats has organized about 75 events. We’ve done everything from a Cajun gathering to Cinco de Mayo parties. Now we’ve landed on doing about four events a year. Our biggest is on the Fourth of July and draws more than 12,000 people. We were also the first city in Arkansas to do a New Year’s Eve ball drop. We’ve had other towns reach out for guidance on how to produce similar events, and we are so glad that the creativity in Searcy has been modeled in other cities.
Q: What are some other ways you’re involved in the community?
A: I’m president of Creative Group of Arkansas, which was formed after the birth of Beats & Eats. We asked, How can we honor and bring our community together while helping small businesses, local craftsmen, and artisans? We wanted to create a space for people to gather socially, take pride in what we have to offer, and also serve as a central hub where sponsors can make donations. It’s a place where multiple people can find support and resources. There are several arms under Creative Group, including Beats & Eats and STEM in Arkansas. There’s also Searcy Creative, which takes the idea of placemaking and uses it to turn something that was once an eyesore into a destination. Art Alley, which is filled with colorful murals in an underutilized downtown alleyway, is an example of this. It involves people and beautifies our city.
Q: How has Searcy changed over the years?
A: I always think back to how Searcy was when I first came as a young adult for school. It was before the Internet. I was always very puzzled that people drove all the way to Little Rock to go shopping. I had grown up with a mall right outside my neighborhood, so it was 100% culture shock coming to Searcy! I adjusted pretty quickly. I’ve certainly seen a shift in pride of living in Searcy and calling it your hometown since I’ve been here. What has remained the same and makes it special are the people, connections, and relationships. When I think about the relationship Harding has with the town, I think about how the world comes to Searcy through the students who attend Harding—we have students and alumni from more than 100 countries. That’s kind of unique to Searcy.
Q: What does Searcy do really well?
A: I probably didn’t pay attention to this as a teenager, but as an adult, I notice great leadership in our city. Our leaders have a great strategy about how we can make a name for ourselves in Arkansas. We know who we are, and that continues to evolve and be better and better. I also think we all collaborate really well together. Another big annual event is Get Down Downtown, which is put on by Main Street Searcy during the last weekend of September. Last year it happened to fall on the same weekend as Harding Family Weekend, so we collaborated. For example, our marching band held a performance during the live music lineup. We’ve already said that if that happens again, we’ll partner again. We all have a common vision and goal for Searcy to be a place that’s family-friendly and safe, so why not work together?
Something else is that people here have such a spirit of volunteerism. People are so willing to give of their time and their talents. One of the murals downtown has the Helen Keller quote, “Together we can do so much.” But it’s really true. I think people put aside their individual recognition for what’s good for Searcy. We work together and support each other, and it’s really special.
Read on for more of our favorite ways to Discover Searcy.
Midnight Oil Coffeehouse & Café
“We all have a common vision and goal for Searcy to be a place that’s family-friendly and safe, so why not work together?”
—Heather Kemper
Knightfire BBQ
Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co.
SHOP
“Bless your heart and home” is the motto for Doorframes (shopdoorframes.com) in downtown Searcy. Shop a variety of home goods, kitchen wares, and gifts for young and old at this charming shop. With a mix of treasures new and found, The Bee’s Knees (501.278.5557) is part vintage market, part boutique where you’ll find everything from clothing and jewelry to gift baskets, home décor, upcycled furniture, and collectibles. Operated by the Unity Health Auxiliary, The Shops at Unity Health (501.380.2060) are a source for gifts for all occasions—think books, cards, fashion accessories, frames, and bath goods—located on three of the hospital’s campuses. You can feel good shopping there, too; funds earned through the shops are reinvested into Unity Health’s facilities. For those looking to invest in their own well-being, visit Holistic Health Collective (holistichealthcollectivesearcy.com), where you can book a range of spa, facial, and functional medicine services while shopping organic products from the popular Éminence Organics skincare line.
DESIGN
Thinking of building fresh or remodeling? White River Flooring (whiteriverflooring.com) has been a trusted name in home improvement for a quarter of a century with a wide range of cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and tile all available at their showroom—and a qualified team available to complete installation, too. The mother-daughter duo behind Interior Creations (searcydesigncenter.com) has been crafting custom draperies, blinds, headboards, bedding, and more for clients for 25 years. Find them at their new location downtown (opening in May) to start collaborating on your next home project. After launching Amy Williams Interiors (amywilliamsinteriors.com) in 2015, owner Amy Williams opened a studio last spring where you can shop pillows, lamps, glassware, and more. Amy is also available for decorating services ranging from paint selections and space planning to full-scale residential and commercial projects. No matter your project scope, the right lighting can completely transform your home. Head to iLustra Lighting Studio (ilustralighting.com) on North Spring Street to browse traditional and contemporary fixtures from beloved brands such as Visual Comfort.
DINE
Harding alum Slader Marshall opened Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co. (sadcoak.com) in 2014 as an ode to his hometown of Juneau, Alaska, and the tiny, delicious dumplings he missed while miles away in Arkansas. The menu might be small—typically dumplings with a few variations to choose from—but the food is comforting and mighty. KnightFire BBQ (eatknightfire.com) was originally a food truck sensation before opening its first Searcy brick-and-mortar a few years later. Last fall, the barbecue favorite moved to a new, larger location on East Race Avenue where locals know you still need to get in line early to score some of their famous brisket before it sells out for the day. Located right next to Harding, Midnight Oil Coffeehouse & Cafe (midnightoilcoffeehouse.com) is a staple for the college set, but it also draws in locals of all ages thanks to a seasonal menu that prioritizes fresh ingredients, pastries baked in-house, and high-quality coffee and espresso drinks.
