Travelin’ Arkansas: Events Taking Place During August
August 10, 2008
*********************
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Note to Print and Broadcast Editors: We at the Arkansas Tourism Division recognize that our "Travelin’ Arkansas" media releases are frequently too lengthy to be used in their entirety. However, we feel an obligation to represent a variety of events from across the state. We encourage you to consider adapting "Travelin' Arkansas" to fit your needs by selecting events you feel meet the interests of your readers or listeners. In addition, we would suggest that "Travelin’ Arkansas" items may be used on a stand-alone basis to fill your space and time needs.
*********
Beginning July 28, the Shiloh Museum will be closed to the public for approximately ten weeks while new roofing is installed on the main museum building. Due to the closing, the following changes have been made to the museum calendar of events:
Aug. 20, noon. “From Sumac Trees to Superhighway: The Butterfield Stage Route Through Northwest Arkansas,” a program by John McLarty, assistant director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, and Susan Young, Shiloh Museum outreach coordinator. Held in Ivey Hall at First United Methodist Church next door to the museum at 206 W. Johnson Ave.
Sept. 6. Shiloh Museum’s 40th Birthday Party. Rescheduled for Dec. 7.
Sept. 13. 32nd Ozark Quilt Fair. Cancelled; will resume in 2009.
Sept. 17, noon. “No Longer Strangers: The Hispanic Presence in our Midst.” Msgr. David LeSieur from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers will discuss how the influx of the Hispanic/Latino community into Northwest Arkansas has influenced or changed the Catholic Church in Northwest Arkansas. Held in Ivey Hall at First United Methodist Church next door to the museum at 206 W. Johnson Ave.
Oct. 2-3. Sheep to Shawl. Cancelled; will resume in 2009.
While the museum is closed, staff members will be available as always to present outreach programs for school, civic, and community groups. Museum staff will also continue to add podcasts and online exhibits to its website. The Summer Saturday family programs on July 26 featuring the Civil War, and on Aug. 23 featuring Ozark chores, will proceed as scheduled on the museum grounds.
For more information, call the museum at 750-8165, or visit the museum Web site at www.springdaleark.org/shiloh.
*********************
You have until the end of August to catch “Football: The Exhibit” at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery in downtown Little Rock. A return engagement for this popular exhibit, it explores the science and technology behind the game of football. Interactive stations allow visitors to experience the game in a completely new way. Visitors can test their ability to throw a football among other things. Discover if you have what it takes to make the team. The museum is located at 500 President Clinton Ave. in the River Market. Contact the museum at 501-396-7050 or visit www.amog.org for more information.
*********************
Are you looking for some indoor activities for a chance to escape from the heat? Then explore two exhibits currently on display at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock. “By the President in the Name of Congress: Arkansas Medal of Honor Recipients” is an exhibit that explores the history of the Medal of Honor. The exhibit pays tribute to the 25 Arkansans who have been awarded the medal and will include three Medals of Honor from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Also on display will be 93 decorations and service medals.
Another exhibit currently on display tells the story of one of the most famous groups in military history. Entitled “Rendezvous with Destiny: The 101st Airborne and the Central High Crisis of 1957,” it honors the prestigious 101st Airborne Division and its role in various military campaigns. There’s also a section explains the role the division played in the 1957 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School.
Hours for the museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free with donations accepted. It is located in downtown Little Rock at 503 East 9th in MacArthur Park. The museum can provide additional information at 501-376-4602. The museum’s Web site is www.arkmilitaryheritage.com/.
***********************
Batesville will host its 65th annual White River Water Carnival on Aug. 1-2. Held at Riverside Park, the two-day event features arts and crafts, food, live entertainment, a variety of inflatables and a Guitar Hero contest. To find out more, contact the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-793-2378 or visit www.mybatesville.org.
************************
One of the largest water skiing competitions in the country will hit the waves in Northwest Arkansas this summer, bringing in 2,000 to 3,000 spectators and more than 300 competitors from five states. Roger Boskus, a Fayetteville architect and skiing entrepreneur, will host the South Central Regional Water Ski Championships from Aug. 1-3 at his Cedar Creek Water Ski Park in Durham.
The contest will pit skiers of various ages and skill levels against one another for a shot at qualifying to ski in the U.S. National Championships, organized by USA Water Ski, the national governing body of water skiing in the United States. There will be about 25 judges. The athletes range in age from 5 years old to 65 years young.
Showcasing the most talented water skiers from Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, the event will begin on Friday with Junior Skiers (ages 18 and under). Adult divisions will compete on Saturday and Sunday. The events of slalom, trick and jump will be run simultaneously on two lakes. On Saturday, the Fayetteville Night Jam will be a water sports show and exhibition consisting of wake skating, wake surfing, wake board, short board and head to head slalom skiing performed under the lights at the Cedar Creek Water Ski Park. There will be food, live music and kids’ activities and the spectator area is close to the riders and skiers. There will also be vendor tents with great deals on apparel and gear.
For details and admission prices, phone 479-841-3768 or visit www.cedarcreekskipark.com. All admission proceeds will benefit Restore Humanity. Terra Studios, an artisan venue famed for its Bluebirds of Happiness, is located about one mile from the site.
*********************
Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan will host From Scraps to Quilt, a beginner’s quilting workshop, on Aug. 2. Participants will learn the basics of traditional quilting, including how to piece squares, layering and stitching. To learn more, call 870-878-6765 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
*********************
The 13th annual Art in August Competition will be Aug. 2-30 at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center in Leslie. The event is an exhibit of art entries and visitors can vote for a People’s Choice awards. A free public reception and awards ceremony will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 30. For more information, phone 870-447-2500 or visit www.ozarkheritagearts.org.
*********************
The Center on the Square Performing Arts Center in Searcy will present Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Aug. 5-9. The beloved fairy tale comes alive on stage with a vibrant musical score by the legendary Rogers and Hammerstein. For more information, visit www.centeronthesquare.org or phone 501-368-0111.
*********************
The 110th annual Tontitown Grape Festival will be Aug. 5-9 in Tontitown. Events take place from 4 p.m. to midnight. Carnival rides will be open Tuesday through Saturday and the famous homemade spaghetti dinners will be served Thursday through Saturday. Biblioteca, a used book sale, will also take place Thursday through Saturday. Other activities include a pageant and giveaways. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-361-2615 and visit www.tontitowngrapefestival.com.
*********************
From children’s workshops to history programs, the Fort Smith National Historic Site will offer several events during August. An Execution Anniversary Program will be held Aug. 6, 15, 29, 30. This ranger-led program is held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the reconstructed gallows on the anniversary dates of executions carried out by the federal court from 1873-1896. Information about the condemned individuals will be discussed: their crimes, court case, and execution. Night Court will be Aug. 10-11.
For ages 5 and up, a Children’s Hands-on Workshop is set for Aug. 7. The program will explore the history of early Fort Smith. While designed to be fun for the children, it is also educational and ties into Arkansas’s state curriculum frameworks and standards. Reservations are required.
For more information, phone 479-783-3961 and visit www.nps.gov/fosm.
*********************
The 9th annual Bargains Galore on 64 will be Aug. 7-9. The event takes place from Fort Smith to Beebe on Ark. 64 and offers miles and miles of antiques, yard sales, sidewalk sales and flea markets. For more information, phone 888-568-3552.
*********************
Mark August 7-10 on your calendar as days to enjoy Hope's legendary watermelons at Fair Park in Hope. During the 32nd annual Hope Watermelon Festival, there will be more than 200 booths of arts and crafts, music, melon eating and seed-.spitting contests, a horseshoe tournament, antique engine show, gospel show, sports car show, 5K run, softball tournament, melon judging, and dog show. For more details, phone 870-777-3640 or visit www.hopemelonfest.com.
*********************
A Cowboy Gathering and Folk Humor and Storytelling Weekend will be Aug. 8-9 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Celebrate the past and present history of America's Western culture with full days of music, storytelling, and poetry recitations by working cowboys. Concerts Friday and Saturday evening feature award-winning guest performers. For more information, phone 870-269-3851 or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.
*********************
The 115th annual Gravette Day will be Aug. 9 at Kindley City Park in Gravette. Festivities will include Kiwanis pancake breakfast, classic car show, motorcycle poker run, Hendren Aviation skydivers, vendors and rides. There will also be a parade on Main Street and a chili and salsa cook-off. For details, phone 479-787-6940 or visit www.gravettearkansas.com.
*********************
The Randolph County Heritage Museum in Pocahontas will host a Vintage Apron Show on Aug. 9. The exhibit will include aprons from every occasion and from different periods of the 20th century. To learn more, contact the Randolph County Heritage Museum at 870-892-4056 or visit www.RandolphCoMuseum.org.
**********************
Jazz Jam 2008 will take place Aug. 9 in Berryville. Step back in time on a historic small town square for an evening of live music under the stars. For performers and show times, phone 870-654-3231 or visit www.ozarts.org.
**********************
Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village will begin offering Mississippi River Levee Tours on Aug. 9. Participants will be taken on a guided tour of the levee surrounding Lake Chicot State Park and learn the importance the levee has played in the history of the region. For more information, contact the park at 870-265-5480 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
*********************
Jonesboro Parks and Recreation will host the 6th annual XTERRA Iron Will Triathlon in Jonesboro on Aug. 10. The triathlon course runs within Craighead Forest Park and features a half-mile swim, a 10.6-mile mountain bike ride and a three-mile run. For more information, call 870-933-4604 or visit www.jonesborosports.org.
*********************
The 80th annual Montgomery County Fair kicks into gear Aug. 10-16 at the fairgrounds in Sims. There will be a carnival, pageants, talent show, exhibits, rodeo, parade, rodeo royalty competitions, and a livestock show. For more information, phone Kathy Grossett at 870-867-5084.
**********************
Get ready for a knee slappin’ good time at the 37th annual Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Festival set for Aug. 14-16 at Beacon Park in Harrison. The event will feature Dale Ann Bradley, Female Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year.
The shows start each evening at 6:30 with afternoon shows on Saturday and jam sessions each day beginning at 7 a.m. Admission is $8 on Thursday, $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday or $25 for a three-day pass. Beacon Park is located 5 miles north of the Harrison city limits on Ark. 65.
Thursday performances will be Joe Sasser & Friends, Williams Family, Unashamed Gospel Bluegrass, Nelson Family and Franz Family. Playing on Friday will be Spitn’ Image, Home Grown, Mountain Gypsies, Joe Sasser & Friends and Dale Ann Bradley. Saturday matinee music will be by Ozark Flavor, Spitn’ Image, Vida Brooks – High Mountain, Mountain Gypsies and Dale Ann Bradley. Saturday night performances will be Vida Brooks – High Mountain, Ozark Flavor, Rock Creek, Spitn’ Image and Dale Ann Bradley.
For more information, phone Larry Martin at 870-426-3477 or visit www.harrisonarkansas.org/bluegrass.htm.
******************
A chance to get your rodeo fix in will take place Aug. 14-16 at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Mena during the Polk County Rodeo. Among the traditional features of this annual rodeo will be Bronc riding, bucking bulls, calf scrambles, and calf roping. There will also be a Queen's Contest, parade, dance, Rodeo Clowns, and plenty of food. For more details, phone John Puckett at 479-394-1238 or check out www.visitmena.com
*********************
The 38th annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social is set for Aug. 16 at Headquarters House in Fayetteville. The event includes all-you-can-eat ice cream and homemade cakes. There will also be tours of Headquarters House and musical entertainment throughout the evening. For more information, phone 479-521-2970 or visit www.washcohistoricalsociety.org.
*********************
The 136th annual Logan County Musical Convention will be Aug. 21-22 at the First United Methodist Church Life Center in Booneville. The event is an old-fashioned gospel sing with shape notes as in Stamps Baxter music. A potluck meal is served on Friday. For more information, phone 479-675-2811.
*********************
The Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival is set for Aug. 21-24 throughout the town of Eureka Springs.
Thursday evening Bluegrass pickers from all over will participate in the annual watermelon extravaganza at the Basin Park in the historic downtown. This event is free to the public. Everyone is encouraged to bring his or her instruments. Last year more than 60 musicians participated in the event. Friday features great shows downtown in Basin Park and at the Auditorium as well as an open jam at the Rodeway Inn Swiss Holiday Resort after the shows on Friday. Saturday the bluegrass music continues downtown with several concerts throughout the day and evening and the festival concludes on Sunday. Show tickets prices are $15 with family discounts offered for four or more.
To order tickets, call 479-253-7788 or visit www.theaud.org. Visit www.eurekaspringsbluegrassfestival.com for details or phone 888-855-7823.
*********************
The 24th annual Frisco Festival will take place Aug. 22-23 in the Rogers historic downtown district. The event is a family festival honoring the city’s railroad heritage. Area businesses sponsor the biggest party in town with free rides and amusements. Popular activities include the Chilisalsapeno Competition, Kid’s Connection, Frisco Chicken Barbecue, Frisco Idol, car shows and non-stop main stage entertainment. For more information, phone 479-936-5487 or visit www.friscofestival.com.
*********************
Nearly every little boy and girl, at one time or another, has wanted to be a firefighter. On Aug. 23 visitors to Pinnacle Mountain State Park will be able to enter a “Firefighter’s World” and inspect a fire engine up close while visiting with area firefighters. They will explain the vehicles, how they are used and the skills needed to operate one. Fire safety and awareness will be the main topics of discussion but there will also be some watery fun with the fire hoses and visits with Smokey Bear. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in Little Rock. Admission is free.
Also on Aug. 23 and continuing through Aug. 24 is Pinnacle’s annual Bat Weekend. Programs will explain the many virtues of these misunderstood creatures of the night beginning at 8 p.m. Included on the agenda are hikes, games, demonstrations and talks that focus on everything batty. Bat house building will be taught as well. A detailed schedule can be obtained from the park; admission is free. Call 501-868-5806 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
*********************
Mountains, Music & Motorcycles will take place Aug. 23 on the Mountain View town square. This motorcycle event includes a bike show, poker run and biker games. For more information, phone 870-269-8068 or visit www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.
*********************
On Aug. 23, there will be a writing workshop at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow House in Eureka Springs. Rosemary Daniell, author of “Zona Rosa: How Writing and Sisterhood Can Change Women’s Lives” will return to the Writers’ Colony to present the workshop. For more information, phone 479-253-7444 or visit www.writerscolony.org.
*********************
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives will be in concert Aug. 23 at the Old State House Museum in downtown Little Rock. Tickets went on sale July 20.
One of country music’s most recognizable performers with his flashy costumes and distinctive hair, Stuart is also one of its most accomplished musicians. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mississippi, he taught himself the guitar at the age of six and later mastered the mandolin. By the age of 12, he was playing professionally, and at 14 left school to play full-time for Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
He continued to hone his skills by playing with some of country and rock music’s biggest stars, including Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young and Billy Joel. His lifelong dream was realized when he joined Johnny Cash’s band, playing with him for six years. Stuart began a solo career in 1986, and achieved stardom in 1989 with the album Hillbilly Rock. Over the next three years he had six top-10 singles and placed three more in the top 20. Two of his biggest hits, “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” and “This One’s Gonna Hurt You,” were duets with another rising young country star, Travis Tritt.
Tickets for the 8.p.m. concert are $35 per person. The Old State House is located at 300 West Markham. Contact the museum at 501-324-9685 for more information.
********************
The 15th annual “End of Summer” Hang Glider Fly-In by the Central Arkansas Mountain Pilots will be Aug. 23-24 at Sunrise Point on Mount Nebo State Park near Dardanelle. Visitors can watch and learn about hang gliding from the group as they fly throughout the weekend. Due to the sport’s high dependence on weather and wind, no times are set for flying. However, weather and wind permitting, the pilots fly throughout Saturday beginning in the afternoon. For more information, phone 479-229-3655.
*********************
The 23rd annual National Championship Chuckwagon Races will be Aug. 23-31 in Clinton. The event will include the chuckwagon races, snowy river race, bronc fanning, concerts, camping, western trade show, dance, trail rides, horseback clinics and more. Admission is $25 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and $15 all other days. For more information, phone 501-745-8407 or visit www.chuckwagonraces.com.
*********************
Rock legend Bob Dylan and his band will perform at 8 p.m. in Little Rock’s Riverfest Amphitheatre on Aug. 26. Tickets went on sale June 21. Earlier this year Dylan was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, making history by being the first rock and roll artist to be so honored. The singer, songwriter, author, musician and poet was recognized for his “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”
Tickets range in price from $39.50 to $59.50 and can be obtained at any Ticket Master location, charged by phone at 501-975-7575 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
********************
The 83rd annual Randolph County Fair and Livestock Show will be held at the fairgrounds in Pocahontas on Aug. 26-31. The fair kicks off Tuesday evening with a parade. It offers exhibits, concessions, cattle judging, livestock, rodeo and carnival rides. For more information, call 870-892-3956.
*********************
Black River Beads and Pottery in Pocahontas will feature Artisan Demonstrations on Aug. 28-29. Glass bead making and spinning wheel demonstrations will be held inside the shop while wheel-thrown pottery will be held outside. To learn more, phone Black River Beads and Pottery at 870-609-0176 or visit www.blackriverbeads.com.
***********************
A celebrity concert featuring the Tennessee Gentlemen will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. The concert features the Tennessee Gentlemen with Ramona Jones and the Jones Family Band. Admission is $12.50. The concert series continues at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 with a performance by Doc Watson and David Holt. Seating is limited and admission is $37.50. For more information, phone 870-269-3851 or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.
*********************
The 16th annual Eureka Springs VW Festival will be Aug. 29-31 at the Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. The event will include a show and swap meet, parade, countryside tourcade and barbecue cookout. For more information, phone 800-552-3785 or visit www.nwavwa.com.
*********************
White River Days is set for Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals. Weekend events will focus on the ecology, history and prehistory of the area. Explore the river on a guided canoe, kayak, and johnboat floats. All programs are free except float trips and cruises. For more information, phone 870-445-3629.
*********************
The Fayetteville Arts Festival, set for the weekends of Aug. 29-Sept. 7, is one of the region’s largest and fastest growing premiere arts events. The two-weekend festival at the Town Center celebrates all art forms from visual to performing. For more information, phone 479-571-3337 or visit www.fayettevilledowntown.org/faf/.
*********************
Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring will host its 25th annual Antique and Classic Car Show on Aug. 30. Cars and trucks pre-1980 will be featured and vie for prizes such as “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice.” For more information, call 870-625-7364 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
*********************
Hardy will host Junk-N-Jam in Loberg Park on Aug. 30. The day will feature antiques, arts and crafts and live music. To learn more, call 870-856-3571.
*********************
The 36th annual Crawford County Festival will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the Lake Lou Emma Conservation League Park in Van Buren. Events will include a crafts fair, food, live entertainment, children’s area and more. For more information, phone 479-459-7003.
*********************
Set for Aug. 30-Sept. 1, the 57th annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair will feature more than 200 craft booths with artisans demonstrating and selling their wares at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. All booths feature handmade items and no commercial products are allowed. Living history, musical entertainment, and square dancing are all important parts of this celebration. Refreshments will be available through the Prairie Grove Lions Club and other local non-profit organizations.The fair is free, but parking is $4 per vehicle. For more information, phone 479-846-2990.
*********************
Live butterflies can be viewed up close during “Wings of Wonder” Butterfly Weekend Aug. 30- Sept. 1 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena. Park interpreters will offer programs, hikes, and activities about these beautiful insects. Learn why butterflies flock to the mountain and how to attract them to your yard. Contact the park for a detailed program schedule by calling 479-394-2863 or checking out www.queenwilhelmina.com.
####
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
*********************
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Note to Print and Broadcast Editors: We at the Arkansas Tourism Division recognize that our "Travelin’ Arkansas" media releases are frequently too lengthy to be used in their entirety. However, we feel an obligation to represent a variety of events from across the state. We encourage you to consider adapting "Travelin' Arkansas" to fit your needs by selecting events you feel meet the interests of your readers or listeners. In addition, we would suggest that "Travelin’ Arkansas" items may be used on a stand-alone basis to fill your space and time needs.
*********
Beginning July 28, the Shiloh Museum will be closed to the public for approximately ten weeks while new roofing is installed on the main museum building. Due to the closing, the following changes have been made to the museum calendar of events:
Aug. 20, noon. “From Sumac Trees to Superhighway: The Butterfield Stage Route Through Northwest Arkansas,” a program by John McLarty, assistant director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, and Susan Young, Shiloh Museum outreach coordinator. Held in Ivey Hall at First United Methodist Church next door to the museum at 206 W. Johnson Ave.
Sept. 6. Shiloh Museum’s 40th Birthday Party. Rescheduled for Dec. 7.
Sept. 13. 32nd Ozark Quilt Fair. Cancelled; will resume in 2009.
Sept. 17, noon. “No Longer Strangers: The Hispanic Presence in our Midst.” Msgr. David LeSieur from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers will discuss how the influx of the Hispanic/Latino community into Northwest Arkansas has influenced or changed the Catholic Church in Northwest Arkansas. Held in Ivey Hall at First United Methodist Church next door to the museum at 206 W. Johnson Ave.
Oct. 2-3. Sheep to Shawl. Cancelled; will resume in 2009.
While the museum is closed, staff members will be available as always to present outreach programs for school, civic, and community groups. Museum staff will also continue to add podcasts and online exhibits to its website. The Summer Saturday family programs on July 26 featuring the Civil War, and on Aug. 23 featuring Ozark chores, will proceed as scheduled on the museum grounds.
For more information, call the museum at 750-8165, or visit the museum Web site at www.springdaleark.org/shiloh.
*********************
You have until the end of August to catch “Football: The Exhibit” at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery in downtown Little Rock. A return engagement for this popular exhibit, it explores the science and technology behind the game of football. Interactive stations allow visitors to experience the game in a completely new way. Visitors can test their ability to throw a football among other things. Discover if you have what it takes to make the team. The museum is located at 500 President Clinton Ave. in the River Market. Contact the museum at 501-396-7050 or visit www.amog.org for more information.
*********************
Are you looking for some indoor activities for a chance to escape from the heat? Then explore two exhibits currently on display at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock. “By the President in the Name of Congress: Arkansas Medal of Honor Recipients” is an exhibit that explores the history of the Medal of Honor. The exhibit pays tribute to the 25 Arkansans who have been awarded the medal and will include three Medals of Honor from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Also on display will be 93 decorations and service medals.
Another exhibit currently on display tells the story of one of the most famous groups in military history. Entitled “Rendezvous with Destiny: The 101st Airborne and the Central High Crisis of 1957,” it honors the prestigious 101st Airborne Division and its role in various military campaigns. There’s also a section explains the role the division played in the 1957 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School.
Hours for the museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free with donations accepted. It is located in downtown Little Rock at 503 East 9th in MacArthur Park. The museum can provide additional information at 501-376-4602. The museum’s Web site is www.arkmilitaryheritage.com/.
***********************
Batesville will host its 65th annual White River Water Carnival on Aug. 1-2. Held at Riverside Park, the two-day event features arts and crafts, food, live entertainment, a variety of inflatables and a Guitar Hero contest. To find out more, contact the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-793-2378 or visit www.mybatesville.org.
************************
One of the largest water skiing competitions in the country will hit the waves in Northwest Arkansas this summer, bringing in 2,000 to 3,000 spectators and more than 300 competitors from five states. Roger Boskus, a Fayetteville architect and skiing entrepreneur, will host the South Central Regional Water Ski Championships from Aug. 1-3 at his Cedar Creek Water Ski Park in Durham.
The contest will pit skiers of various ages and skill levels against one another for a shot at qualifying to ski in the U.S. National Championships, organized by USA Water Ski, the national governing body of water skiing in the United States. There will be about 25 judges. The athletes range in age from 5 years old to 65 years young.
Showcasing the most talented water skiers from Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, the event will begin on Friday with Junior Skiers (ages 18 and under). Adult divisions will compete on Saturday and Sunday. The events of slalom, trick and jump will be run simultaneously on two lakes. On Saturday, the Fayetteville Night Jam will be a water sports show and exhibition consisting of wake skating, wake surfing, wake board, short board and head to head slalom skiing performed under the lights at the Cedar Creek Water Ski Park. There will be food, live music and kids’ activities and the spectator area is close to the riders and skiers. There will also be vendor tents with great deals on apparel and gear.
For details and admission prices, phone 479-841-3768 or visit www.cedarcreekskipark.com. All admission proceeds will benefit Restore Humanity. Terra Studios, an artisan venue famed for its Bluebirds of Happiness, is located about one mile from the site.
*********************
Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan will host From Scraps to Quilt, a beginner’s quilting workshop, on Aug. 2. Participants will learn the basics of traditional quilting, including how to piece squares, layering and stitching. To learn more, call 870-878-6765 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
*********************
The 13th annual Art in August Competition will be Aug. 2-30 at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center in Leslie. The event is an exhibit of art entries and visitors can vote for a People’s Choice awards. A free public reception and awards ceremony will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 30. For more information, phone 870-447-2500 or visit www.ozarkheritagearts.org.
*********************
The Center on the Square Performing Arts Center in Searcy will present Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Aug. 5-9. The beloved fairy tale comes alive on stage with a vibrant musical score by the legendary Rogers and Hammerstein. For more information, visit www.centeronthesquare.org or phone 501-368-0111.
*********************
The 110th annual Tontitown Grape Festival will be Aug. 5-9 in Tontitown. Events take place from 4 p.m. to midnight. Carnival rides will be open Tuesday through Saturday and the famous homemade spaghetti dinners will be served Thursday through Saturday. Biblioteca, a used book sale, will also take place Thursday through Saturday. Other activities include a pageant and giveaways. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-361-2615 and visit www.tontitowngrapefestival.com.
*********************
From children’s workshops to history programs, the Fort Smith National Historic Site will offer several events during August. An Execution Anniversary Program will be held Aug. 6, 15, 29, 30. This ranger-led program is held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the reconstructed gallows on the anniversary dates of executions carried out by the federal court from 1873-1896. Information about the condemned individuals will be discussed: their crimes, court case, and execution. Night Court will be Aug. 10-11.
For ages 5 and up, a Children’s Hands-on Workshop is set for Aug. 7. The program will explore the history of early Fort Smith. While designed to be fun for the children, it is also educational and ties into Arkansas’s state curriculum frameworks and standards. Reservations are required.
For more information, phone 479-783-3961 and visit www.nps.gov/fosm.
*********************
The 9th annual Bargains Galore on 64 will be Aug. 7-9. The event takes place from Fort Smith to Beebe on Ark. 64 and offers miles and miles of antiques, yard sales, sidewalk sales and flea markets. For more information, phone 888-568-3552.
*********************
Mark August 7-10 on your calendar as days to enjoy Hope's legendary watermelons at Fair Park in Hope. During the 32nd annual Hope Watermelon Festival, there will be more than 200 booths of arts and crafts, music, melon eating and seed-.spitting contests, a horseshoe tournament, antique engine show, gospel show, sports car show, 5K run, softball tournament, melon judging, and dog show. For more details, phone 870-777-3640 or visit www.hopemelonfest.com.
*********************
A Cowboy Gathering and Folk Humor and Storytelling Weekend will be Aug. 8-9 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Celebrate the past and present history of America's Western culture with full days of music, storytelling, and poetry recitations by working cowboys. Concerts Friday and Saturday evening feature award-winning guest performers. For more information, phone 870-269-3851 or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.
*********************
The 115th annual Gravette Day will be Aug. 9 at Kindley City Park in Gravette. Festivities will include Kiwanis pancake breakfast, classic car show, motorcycle poker run, Hendren Aviation skydivers, vendors and rides. There will also be a parade on Main Street and a chili and salsa cook-off. For details, phone 479-787-6940 or visit www.gravettearkansas.com.
*********************
The Randolph County Heritage Museum in Pocahontas will host a Vintage Apron Show on Aug. 9. The exhibit will include aprons from every occasion and from different periods of the 20th century. To learn more, contact the Randolph County Heritage Museum at 870-892-4056 or visit www.RandolphCoMuseum.org.
**********************
Jazz Jam 2008 will take place Aug. 9 in Berryville. Step back in time on a historic small town square for an evening of live music under the stars. For performers and show times, phone 870-654-3231 or visit www.ozarts.org.
**********************
Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village will begin offering Mississippi River Levee Tours on Aug. 9. Participants will be taken on a guided tour of the levee surrounding Lake Chicot State Park and learn the importance the levee has played in the history of the region. For more information, contact the park at 870-265-5480 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
*********************
Jonesboro Parks and Recreation will host the 6th annual XTERRA Iron Will Triathlon in Jonesboro on Aug. 10. The triathlon course runs within Craighead Forest Park and features a half-mile swim, a 10.6-mile mountain bike ride and a three-mile run. For more information, call 870-933-4604 or visit www.jonesborosports.org.
*********************
The 80th annual Montgomery County Fair kicks into gear Aug. 10-16 at the fairgrounds in Sims. There will be a carnival, pageants, talent show, exhibits, rodeo, parade, rodeo royalty competitions, and a livestock show. For more information, phone Kathy Grossett at 870-867-5084.
**********************
Get ready for a knee slappin’ good time at the 37th annual Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Festival set for Aug. 14-16 at Beacon Park in Harrison. The event will feature Dale Ann Bradley, Female Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year.
The shows start each evening at 6:30 with afternoon shows on Saturday and jam sessions each day beginning at 7 a.m. Admission is $8 on Thursday, $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday or $25 for a three-day pass. Beacon Park is located 5 miles north of the Harrison city limits on Ark. 65.
Thursday performances will be Joe Sasser & Friends, Williams Family, Unashamed Gospel Bluegrass, Nelson Family and Franz Family. Playing on Friday will be Spitn’ Image, Home Grown, Mountain Gypsies, Joe Sasser & Friends and Dale Ann Bradley. Saturday matinee music will be by Ozark Flavor, Spitn’ Image, Vida Brooks – High Mountain, Mountain Gypsies and Dale Ann Bradley. Saturday night performances will be Vida Brooks – High Mountain, Ozark Flavor, Rock Creek, Spitn’ Image and Dale Ann Bradley.
For more information, phone Larry Martin at 870-426-3477 or visit www.harrisonarkansas.org/bluegrass.htm.
******************
A chance to get your rodeo fix in will take place Aug. 14-16 at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Mena during the Polk County Rodeo. Among the traditional features of this annual rodeo will be Bronc riding, bucking bulls, calf scrambles, and calf roping. There will also be a Queen's Contest, parade, dance, Rodeo Clowns, and plenty of food. For more details, phone John Puckett at 479-394-1238 or check out www.visitmena.com
*********************
The 38th annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social is set for Aug. 16 at Headquarters House in Fayetteville. The event includes all-you-can-eat ice cream and homemade cakes. There will also be tours of Headquarters House and musical entertainment throughout the evening. For more information, phone 479-521-2970 or visit www.washcohistoricalsociety.org.
*********************
The 136th annual Logan County Musical Convention will be Aug. 21-22 at the First United Methodist Church Life Center in Booneville. The event is an old-fashioned gospel sing with shape notes as in Stamps Baxter music. A potluck meal is served on Friday. For more information, phone 479-675-2811.
*********************
The Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival is set for Aug. 21-24 throughout the town of Eureka Springs.
Thursday evening Bluegrass pickers from all over will participate in the annual watermelon extravaganza at the Basin Park in the historic downtown. This event is free to the public. Everyone is encouraged to bring his or her instruments. Last year more than 60 musicians participated in the event. Friday features great shows downtown in Basin Park and at the Auditorium as well as an open jam at the Rodeway Inn Swiss Holiday Resort after the shows on Friday. Saturday the bluegrass music continues downtown with several concerts throughout the day and evening and the festival concludes on Sunday. Show tickets prices are $15 with family discounts offered for four or more.
To order tickets, call 479-253-7788 or visit www.theaud.org. Visit www.eurekaspringsbluegrassfestival.com for details or phone 888-855-7823.
*********************
The 24th annual Frisco Festival will take place Aug. 22-23 in the Rogers historic downtown district. The event is a family festival honoring the city’s railroad heritage. Area businesses sponsor the biggest party in town with free rides and amusements. Popular activities include the Chilisalsapeno Competition, Kid’s Connection, Frisco Chicken Barbecue, Frisco Idol, car shows and non-stop main stage entertainment. For more information, phone 479-936-5487 or visit www.friscofestival.com.
*********************
Nearly every little boy and girl, at one time or another, has wanted to be a firefighter. On Aug. 23 visitors to Pinnacle Mountain State Park will be able to enter a “Firefighter’s World” and inspect a fire engine up close while visiting with area firefighters. They will explain the vehicles, how they are used and the skills needed to operate one. Fire safety and awareness will be the main topics of discussion but there will also be some watery fun with the fire hoses and visits with Smokey Bear. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in Little Rock. Admission is free.
Also on Aug. 23 and continuing through Aug. 24 is Pinnacle’s annual Bat Weekend. Programs will explain the many virtues of these misunderstood creatures of the night beginning at 8 p.m. Included on the agenda are hikes, games, demonstrations and talks that focus on everything batty. Bat house building will be taught as well. A detailed schedule can be obtained from the park; admission is free. Call 501-868-5806 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
*********************
Mountains, Music & Motorcycles will take place Aug. 23 on the Mountain View town square. This motorcycle event includes a bike show, poker run and biker games. For more information, phone 870-269-8068 or visit www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.
*********************
On Aug. 23, there will be a writing workshop at the Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow House in Eureka Springs. Rosemary Daniell, author of “Zona Rosa: How Writing and Sisterhood Can Change Women’s Lives” will return to the Writers’ Colony to present the workshop. For more information, phone 479-253-7444 or visit www.writerscolony.org.
*********************
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives will be in concert Aug. 23 at the Old State House Museum in downtown Little Rock. Tickets went on sale July 20.
One of country music’s most recognizable performers with his flashy costumes and distinctive hair, Stuart is also one of its most accomplished musicians. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mississippi, he taught himself the guitar at the age of six and later mastered the mandolin. By the age of 12, he was playing professionally, and at 14 left school to play full-time for Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
He continued to hone his skills by playing with some of country and rock music’s biggest stars, including Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young and Billy Joel. His lifelong dream was realized when he joined Johnny Cash’s band, playing with him for six years. Stuart began a solo career in 1986, and achieved stardom in 1989 with the album Hillbilly Rock. Over the next three years he had six top-10 singles and placed three more in the top 20. Two of his biggest hits, “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” and “This One’s Gonna Hurt You,” were duets with another rising young country star, Travis Tritt.
Tickets for the 8.p.m. concert are $35 per person. The Old State House is located at 300 West Markham. Contact the museum at 501-324-9685 for more information.
********************
The 15th annual “End of Summer” Hang Glider Fly-In by the Central Arkansas Mountain Pilots will be Aug. 23-24 at Sunrise Point on Mount Nebo State Park near Dardanelle. Visitors can watch and learn about hang gliding from the group as they fly throughout the weekend. Due to the sport’s high dependence on weather and wind, no times are set for flying. However, weather and wind permitting, the pilots fly throughout Saturday beginning in the afternoon. For more information, phone 479-229-3655.
*********************
The 23rd annual National Championship Chuckwagon Races will be Aug. 23-31 in Clinton. The event will include the chuckwagon races, snowy river race, bronc fanning, concerts, camping, western trade show, dance, trail rides, horseback clinics and more. Admission is $25 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and $15 all other days. For more information, phone 501-745-8407 or visit www.chuckwagonraces.com.
*********************
Rock legend Bob Dylan and his band will perform at 8 p.m. in Little Rock’s Riverfest Amphitheatre on Aug. 26. Tickets went on sale June 21. Earlier this year Dylan was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, making history by being the first rock and roll artist to be so honored. The singer, songwriter, author, musician and poet was recognized for his “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”
Tickets range in price from $39.50 to $59.50 and can be obtained at any Ticket Master location, charged by phone at 501-975-7575 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
********************
The 83rd annual Randolph County Fair and Livestock Show will be held at the fairgrounds in Pocahontas on Aug. 26-31. The fair kicks off Tuesday evening with a parade. It offers exhibits, concessions, cattle judging, livestock, rodeo and carnival rides. For more information, call 870-892-3956.
*********************
Black River Beads and Pottery in Pocahontas will feature Artisan Demonstrations on Aug. 28-29. Glass bead making and spinning wheel demonstrations will be held inside the shop while wheel-thrown pottery will be held outside. To learn more, phone Black River Beads and Pottery at 870-609-0176 or visit www.blackriverbeads.com.
***********************
A celebrity concert featuring the Tennessee Gentlemen will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. The concert features the Tennessee Gentlemen with Ramona Jones and the Jones Family Band. Admission is $12.50. The concert series continues at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 with a performance by Doc Watson and David Holt. Seating is limited and admission is $37.50. For more information, phone 870-269-3851 or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.
*********************
The 16th annual Eureka Springs VW Festival will be Aug. 29-31 at the Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. The event will include a show and swap meet, parade, countryside tourcade and barbecue cookout. For more information, phone 800-552-3785 or visit www.nwavwa.com.
*********************
White River Days is set for Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals. Weekend events will focus on the ecology, history and prehistory of the area. Explore the river on a guided canoe, kayak, and johnboat floats. All programs are free except float trips and cruises. For more information, phone 870-445-3629.
*********************
The Fayetteville Arts Festival, set for the weekends of Aug. 29-Sept. 7, is one of the region’s largest and fastest growing premiere arts events. The two-weekend festival at the Town Center celebrates all art forms from visual to performing. For more information, phone 479-571-3337 or visit www.fayettevilledowntown.org/faf/.
*********************
Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring will host its 25th annual Antique and Classic Car Show on Aug. 30. Cars and trucks pre-1980 will be featured and vie for prizes such as “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice.” For more information, call 870-625-7364 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
*********************
Hardy will host Junk-N-Jam in Loberg Park on Aug. 30. The day will feature antiques, arts and crafts and live music. To learn more, call 870-856-3571.
*********************
The 36th annual Crawford County Festival will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the Lake Lou Emma Conservation League Park in Van Buren. Events will include a crafts fair, food, live entertainment, children’s area and more. For more information, phone 479-459-7003.
*********************
Set for Aug. 30-Sept. 1, the 57th annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair will feature more than 200 craft booths with artisans demonstrating and selling their wares at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. All booths feature handmade items and no commercial products are allowed. Living history, musical entertainment, and square dancing are all important parts of this celebration. Refreshments will be available through the Prairie Grove Lions Club and other local non-profit organizations.The fair is free, but parking is $4 per vehicle. For more information, phone 479-846-2990.
*********************
Live butterflies can be viewed up close during “Wings of Wonder” Butterfly Weekend Aug. 30- Sept. 1 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena. Park interpreters will offer programs, hikes, and activities about these beautiful insects. Learn why butterflies flock to the mountain and how to attract them to your yard. Contact the park for a detailed program schedule by calling 479-394-2863 or checking out www.queenwilhelmina.com.
####
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"