Delta Expo Celebrates Regional Business, Culture, Entertainment
By Eplunus Colvin
Culture
October 2, 2026
The Pine Bluff Convention Center was packed with shoppers, vendors, and visitors on September 25-26 during the inaugural Delta Expo, a celebration of Delta food, culture, business, and entertainment. Hosted by the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce, over 60 vendors filled the venue for this unique event. (Pine Bluff Commercial/Eplunus Colvin)
From live music and Delta cuisine to shopping, stepping, books, and small-business showcases, Pine Bluff buzzed with activity on September 25-26 as the first-of-its-kind Delta Expo brought businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and community members together.
Presented by the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce and its visionary president and CEO, Joni Alexander-Robinson, the two-day celebration kicked off with “Friday Night in the Delta,” a ticketed concert featuring live performances, food, drinks, and a VIP experience. The following day, Saturday, offered a free Delta Expo experience, featuring over 60 vendors and activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Organizers described the weekend as an opportunity to showcase Arkansas Delta through its people—those who live, work, and create there.
“We always hear people reminisce about Pine Bluff and the Delta,” Alexander-Robinson stated. “So we want to re-establish Pine Bluff as the hub of the Delta, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Alexander-Robinson explained that the expo aimed to highlight the region's businesses, culture, and potential while fostering connections among entrepreneurs.
“We have a rich culture, we have our own type of style, we have our own type of way of doing business,” she noted. “Today, we’re highlighting the positivity of shopping and eating and experiencing the Delta.”
“Friday Night in the Delta” was restricted to those 21 and older, offering live performances by Sir Charles Jones, Mike Clark Jr., Big $ett, and Badd Newz. VIP ticket holders enjoyed a pre-concert mixer featuring Taste of the Delta, a curated tasting experience with food, desserts, and specialty items from local and regional vendors. The VIP experience also included an open bar featuring Delta Dirt Distillery and Self Made Tequila, along with access to the Friday Night Market for shopping before the concert.
The two-day event showcased music, performances, shopping, food, and activities celebrating the Arkansas Delta. (Pine Bluff Commercial/Eplunus Colvin)
Saturday’s free expo featured over 60 vendors, live entertainment, shopping, giveaways, workshops, authors, food, and activities. The Delta Porch hosted performances by Red Lipstiq, Emmanuel Damon Frazier & the LL Steppers, Divine Dancers of the Delta, Big $ett, Ashton Cheatham, and The Faithful Four. Other performers included Prod OneKay, Badd Newz, Justin Sprouts, Clark and Jones.
Visitors could also participate in a chess competition with Tony Davis, meet over 10 Delta authors, attend book signings, and take part in library workshops, including genealogy research training, cooking with Atasha “Tasha” Rosete, and Painting with a Twist.