PEA RIDGE, Ark. — The Northwest Arkansas community is rallying behind a local family after their 14-year-old son was killed in a crash while driving a dirt bike in Garfield.
Gavin Bivens was a 9th grader at Pea Ridge Junior High School who made it onto the high school baseball team.
In the aftermath of Gavin’s death, family friend Erica Osterhout said the community of Pea Ridge has come together in a tremendous way.
"Pea Ridge is awesome," Osterhout said. "They always show up and show out, and this was no different."
Not only has the community helped raise over $23,000 to cover memorial and funeral expenses, but they are also organizing a festival to honor Gavin on Saturday, Aug. 17. All the proceeds from the #25 Celebration of Life Festival will go to the Bivens family.
The event will be at the Pea Ridge Memorial Park and will feature a kickball tournament, bounce houses, food vendors, carnival games, a raffle, and a live band.
Schedule:
- Kickball tournament: 9 a.m.
- Festival: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Live band: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For those interested in playing in the tournament, you must register through this link by 9 p.m. on Aug. 15. It costs $250 per team. Each team must have a minimum of 10 players, ages 10 and up. Four of the 10 players must be females or kids.
For vendors interested in participating in the festival, fill out an application at this link.
There are also bracelets, shirts, and car decals in memory of Gavin available at this link.
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