The Barnes-Wright Family Reunion will be held July 24–27 at Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson Parish, bringing together 126 family members from across the country—including California, Washington, D.C., and New York. Among them, there are more than 20 children, making this a vibrant, multigenerational gathering.
We’ve been fortunate to engage a local caterer from Jonesboro for the entire weekend—from Thursday through Sunday—and the Jackson Parish Tourism Board has generously donated a full collection of items for our reunion distributions. As part of preserving our roots and celebrating our host community, the reunion’s souvenir book includes a section on the history of Jackson Parish and Jonesboro. Guests will be staying in cabins at the State Park, local hotels, and the homes of welcoming relatives in the area.
Highlights of our itinerary include a guided visit to selected cemeteries and the Jonesboro Civil Rights Trail—an experience many of our family members are deeply looking forward to, especially those returning to Louisiana after many years away.
25th Barnes-Wright Family Reunion Itinerary
All activities occur at the Group Camp Conference Center, unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
6:00 pm Check-In
Meet-and-Greet
Welcome Dinner
8:00 pm Group Sound Check/
Prep for Tomorrow
10:00 pm Park Quiet Hours Begin
Friday, July 25, 2025
6:00 am Group Photos with Reunion T-Shirt
6:40 am Bus Boarding (Front Reserved for Elderly/Handicapped; Rear Reserved for Families with Small Children)
7:00 am Bus Departure
Heritage Tour Begins
Breakfast in Transit
7:40 am First Tour Stop
12:10 pm Lunch in Transit
2:10 pm Last Tour Stop
2:40 pm Arrive at Jimmie Davis State Park/
Heritage Tour Ends
3:00 pm Rest, Relax, Refresh
6:00 pm Casual Business Dinner, featuring Youth Talent and Family Memorial
10:00 pm Park Quiet Hours Begin
Saturday, July 26, 2025
6:15 am 30-Minute Morning Stretch
7:00 am Sweet Hour of Prayer
8:00 am Breakfast
9:15 am Outside: Old School Field Games
10:00 am Business Owner Showcase
Outside: Open Water Play
11:00 am Genealogy Workshop
12:00 pm Lunch, featuring Oratory Contest and Old Timer Storytelling
1:30 pm Inside: Edible Engineering, Arts & Crafts, Board Games, and Card Games
Outside: Open Water Play
5:00 pm Dinner (same menu as lunch)
6:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
10:00 pm Park Quiet Hours Begin
Sunday, July 27, 2025
7:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Church Service, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 908 Evergreen Rd, Jonesboro, LA 71251
11:00 am Park Check-Out Time
11:45 am Farewell Lunch in Church Fellowship Hall