Wear red, white and blue! The Hillcrest Merchants Association is sponsoring its annual Independence Day Ice Cream Social from 6-7:30 p.m. today (July 5 -- better late than never) at Crest Park (by the Kavanaugh Boulevard entrance to the Beechwood Kroger store) as part of the monthly First Thursday celebration.

In addition to free ice cream, visitors can enjoy complementary cookies, brownies, popcorn, and cold drinks.

During First Thursday, organized by the Hillcrest Merchants Association, area shops, restaurants, and venues offer discounted prices (including 20 percent off spring and summer clothing, shoes and handbags at Box Turtle), promotions, appetizers and drinks. Guests can stroll the sidewalks, listen to local bands, window shop, browse the stores or relax on the promenade. 

For more information call (501) 663-7757.