JONESBORO, AR – Last weekend, fans of rice and football came together here for the second contest between Arkansas State’s Red Wolves and University of Louisiana Monroe’s War Hawks to capture the “Rice Bowl” trophy and celebrate all things rice in this growing rivalry that unites the rice industry in a friendly competition for bragging rights! While Saturday’s weather was cool and calm, the game was a heated back and forth contest until the end, when ULM holding off A-STATE as time ran out to secure a 19-17 victory for their first win in Jonesboro since 2001 but allowing them to keep the Rice Bowl trophy in Monroe for at least another year.
Ahead of the game, the inaugural Grain and Gather event in Downtown Jonesboro got everyone ready for a great weekend of celebrating the grain that brings us all together, with festivities, bands, and of course, rice dishes prepared by local restaurants showcasing all the wonderful cuisine rice creates! The celebration, organized by Arkansas Rice Federation, honored Arkansas rice farmers and agriculture with an assortment of rice-centered activities and events.
The festival began Friday night with a downtown block party hosted by Ostara, featuring vendors, a kids’ zone with bounce houses, games, and face painting, rice-inspired dishes from local restaurants, live music, and even a rice-brat eating competition.
Kelly Robbins, Executive Director of the Arkansas Rice Federation, said, “We couldn’t have put this together without the support of our sponsors and our industry partners, especially Anheuser-Busch, the largest user of U.S.-grown rice in the country, and we want to make certain that we recognize our rice farmers,” Robbins said. “Behind every rice crop is a farmer making decisions, managing expenses, watching the weather and putting in long hours. There are families adjusting their schedules, employees keeping things moving and businesses providing the equipment, supplies and services that farms depend on.”
“By the time that rice reaches a restaurant or our dinner tables, a lot of people have had a hand in getting it there,” he continued. “Tonight gives us a chance to make sure that those folks, those farmers and everyone in between know how much we appreciate them.”
While the exact date of next year’s Rice Bowl has not been announced, the game will move back to the Pelican State and no matter who you’re pulling for, in the end, rice will be the winner of this growing tradition recognizing the hard-working farmers and industry partners that bring rice to everyone’s bowl year after year!