Travelin' Arkansas: Events Taking Place During March

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.

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Each Saturday from March 1 to Sept. 3, visitors can take part in “Step Back Saturdays” at the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock. Discover what daily living was like in the pioneer days. Living history programs and tours bring the 1800s to life by explaining the “who, what, when, where and why” of frontier Arkansas. Every month brings a different theme. Tours are on the hour every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for noon. The last tour begins at 4 p.m. Admission is $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for children; free for museum members. 

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The Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Special Event Weekend will take place March 2-4 at Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park in Hot Springs.

Bring out your SUV, ATV, or Dirt Bike to take on the trails. $50 gets you in Friday, Saturday and Sunday plus a year's premier membership to the park. There are over 1,200 acres of trails with all levels of difficulty. New trails and obstacles with varying degrees of difficulty are continuously being built on every terrain type imaginable such as hill climbs (both "finesse" and "horsepower required" types), mud pits, rock gardens, water crossings, you name it.

All trails are mapped and posted with difficulty ratings for the various vehicle types, so you always know your location, and what to expect terrain-wise. There will be door prizes and amping also available. 

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The Heritage Herb Garden crew of the Ozark Folk Center State Park will exhibit a replica of an Old-Time Picnic Swing, also known as a horse-drawn merry-go-round, on March 2-4 at the Arkansas Flower Show at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

The theme for this year’s flower show is Carousel of Gardens. The folk center exhibit will include an iron-forged mule, sculpted with grapevine and honeysuckle, standing 17 hands at the withers and poised to pull the swing. The mule will become an interpretive feature and photo opportunity in the Folk Kids’ Mountain Garden at the Ozark Folk Center this spring.

Floating row cover will shade and decorate the picnic swing and then be reused next winter to protect tender plants. Staff will integrate gardening and farming practices, foods, seasonings and flowers with the seasons of life. As is the Ozark tradition, the plants grown for the show garden will be seen growing in the Heritage Herb Gardens this season. All structural elements of the garden will be reused at the park. Interweaving sustainable practices with art, park staff hope to inspire visitors to cultivate useful plants, absorb a bit of Ozark self-sufficiency and resolve to take care of this carousel upon which humankind rides for a while---Earth.

The cost will be $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (60 and older), $1 for youth (6-12 years old), and free for children under 6. A three-day pass will be $10. For more information about the Folk Center exhibit, contact Tina Marie Wilcox at (870) 269-3851. For more on the flower show, phone (501) 821-4000.

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For the first time in two years there will be a total lunar eclipse. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket to watch the moon as it is engulfed by the Earth’s shadow on March 3 at Mount Nebo State Park near Dardanelle.

Arrive at Sunrise Point any time after 6:15 p.m. for optimal viewing. The process takes more than an hour. Admission is free. For more information, or to check for cloud conditions, contact the park at (479) 229-3655. For more information on Arkansas State Parks, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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Queen Wilhelmina State Park sits atop Rich Mountain, the state’s second highest peak, just outside Mena. The cloud-capped hideaway is rich in both scenery and history and will celebrate its 50th birthday this year on March 3.

The park has been immersed in some interesting history on its way to half-a-century status. In the late 1800s, when railroad expansion was big business in the nation, the Kansas City Railroad was on its way through the state. A group of Dutch investors decided to build an inn here and named the new site after their queen-Queen Wilhelmina.

The inn eventually went into ruins but it was rebuilt and still stands in the spot where the original inn was built. It now serves as the park’s main attraction and is known as the “Castle in the Sky.”

Visitors find incredible vistas in the 460-acre park and along the well-traveled Talimena Scenic Drive. The park has several hiking trails, including the Ouachita Trail that runs from Talihina, Okla. all the way to Little Rock.

Special programs on the history of the state park are slated to take place in honor of the birthday celebration. Plans are still in the works but there will be a birthday party on March 3 and a dance/celebration on June 16. For more information, phone (479) 394-2863.

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March 3-April 29 marks the dates of the Albino Hinojosa: Extreme Realism exhibit at the Historic Regional Arts Center in Texarkana.

A graduate of Texarkana College, Hinojosa studied under Otis Lumpkin and has exhibited in 14 one-man shows. He has paintings in permanent collections at the South Arkansas Art Center, Masure Museum, Louisiana Tech University Art Gallery, Tyler Museum of Fine Arts, Longview Museum of Fine Art, and the Museum of American Illustration in New York City. He retired from teaching at Louisiana Tech University in 2000 and paints out of his studio at his home in Ruston, La, where he primarily devotes himself to promoting realism in the art world.

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It’s time once again for the Annual Little Rock Marathon, now in its fifth year. This year’s event will be March 4. This rapidly expanding race has quickly become a “must participate” event for runners and walkers across the country. Runner’s World magazine has featured the race for “having the largest finisher's medal in the world” and praised “Little Rock's Southern hospitality.” The running and walking tour begins at Third & Broadway downtown and winds its way through historic parts of Little Rock.

In addition, there is a two-day expo of all things running and walking at Robinson Center Exhibit Hall prior to race day. The race features the marathon of 26.2 miles, a one-half marathon of 13.1 miles, a two-person half marathon relay, a 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, and the Little Rockers Kids Marathon. Entry fees vary. For more information go to www.littlerockmarathon.com or call Geneva Hampton with Little Rock Parks & Recreation at (501) 371-4639, e-mail [email protected].

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The South Arkansas Arts Center Photography Show and Competition “The ViewFinder” has been set for the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.

Entries will be on display in the Merkle and Price Galleries March 5-27. An artist reception will be held Monday, March 5 from 5-7 p.m. with an awards presentation at 5:30 p.m. There will be a digital photography workshop March 10 at the SAAC. The workshop is $40 for members and $55 for non-members. Class size is limited and registration is required.

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The annual Spring Bluegrass Festival is set for March 8-10 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Scheduled performers will include Monroe Crossing, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Gone South and The Kati Penn Group.

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Old Davidsonville State Park will host a Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop on Saturday, March 10. Participants will see the entire process, from start to finish, and then enjoy a delicious taste of yesteryear – an entire meal cooked over a campfire. After enjoying the meal, you’ll be sent home with recipes and your own Dutch oven. Reservations are suggested. Admission is $25 per person.

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Millions of daffodils will be showcased during Camden's 14th annual Daffodil Festival March 9 and 10. The festival will feature tours of four local gardens, historic homes, a log cabin village, and a host of other activities.

The festival's main site will be open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. General admission is free except for tours.

Shuttle buses from downtown will visit each tour site every 30 minutes. Admission at each of the tour homes and the village will be $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12 and free for children under 6. Admission for the garden tours will be $10 for adults and $6 for ages 6-12, which includes all three gardens. For $25 for adults and $15 for kids 6-12, visitors will be able to purchase admission to all of the tour sites. Those tickets and the garden-tour tickets must be purchased downtown.

Other activities include touring Oakland Cemetery Walk, watching Civil War re-enactors on the bank of the Ouachita River, arts and crafts and food vendors, a quilt show and art show, and a Championship Steak Cook-off Saturday night with live entertainment on the new River Walk.

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Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan will host a soapmaking workshop on Saturday, March 10. Learn the art of making soap using the cold-process method – it’s not as hard as you would think! Once you master this skill of bygone times, you’ll never have to buy soap again. Participants will receive soap recipes and bars of homemade soap. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. Admission is $20 and you’ll need to bring protective clothing.

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The creatures at Raycliff Manor Haunted Attraction in Eureka Springs have been getting restless since the 2006 Halloween season ended and they can hardly contain their screams. So, the creators of the haunted castle will open the doors of the attraction two weekends in March for a Scream Break event.

Brave Spring Breakers can roam the halls of the manor from 7 p.m. to midnight on March 16, 17, 23 and 24.

Once the manor doors slam shut again at midnight of the 24th, the Eureka Screams Fright Team will begin renovations inside the manor. The plans are to completely revamp a number of rooms and make significant enhancements to the attraction. The changes to Raycliff Manor will remain secret until the unveiling at a future date. 

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The Great White Way comes to Little Rock on March 16 and 17 with “Three Broadway Divas” in concert. Performing along with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra are Broadway leading ladies Debbie Gravitte, Jan Horvath, and Christiane Noll. Gravitte has been called “one of the best voices on Broadway” by the Associated Press and has appeared in such shows as “Chicago,” “Pajama Game,” “Anything Goes,” “They’re Playing Our Song,” “Blues in the Night” and “Zorba” with Anthony Quinn. Ms. Horvath has been featured in “The Phantom of the Opera,” where she performed the roles of Christine and Carlotta; “The Threepenny Opera” starring Sting; “Sweet Charity “ starring Debbie Allen, and sang the lead role of Grizabella in the National Touring Company of “Cats.” Among the productions Noll has been a part of are “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Grease!” and “Miss Saigon,” plus the international tour of “South Pacific” where she portrayed Nellie Forbush.

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A special wine and cheese preview will headline this year's 11th annual Spring Antique Show at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center on Friday, March 16 in Eureka Springs. A $10 admission will allow one to attend the special reception and shop from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. as well as shop on Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18.

Forty-three dealers from 14 states will attend this popular spring show as well as antique lovers who come from an average of 20 states. The show will feature a full range of antiques including furniture, glassware, pottery, silver, books, primitives, shabby chic, postcards, advertising, paper, linens, crystal, china, jewelry, vintage clothing, art, kerosene lamps and replacement parts.

Regular show hours will be from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2.50 and is good for both days. A cash drawing is held at the end of the show, plus a lodging voucher will be awarded to another lucky winner.

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The Three Days of Syllamo Stage Run will be March 16-18 in Mountain View. All three runs will be held within the Sylamore Ranger District, and are 90 percent on single-track trails including the Sylamore trail, Sylamore horse trails, and the Syllamo mountain bike trails.

Day one is a 50K on the Sylamore trail, including the new section of trail. Full aid stations will be provided at approximately 4-6 miles apart. Day two will be a 50-mile run on the Syllamo mountain bike trail that winds, climbs and descends through the beautiful Sylamore Ranger District including several creek crossings, past scenic vistas and bluffs and through dense forest. Full aid stations will be located approximately 4-6 miles apart. Day three is a 20K on the Syllamo mountain bike trails. Aid will be provided at the halfway point.

Race headquarters will be at Blanchard Springs Campground pavilion, and all races will start and end at this campground.

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March 17 marks the First Ever 4th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs.

Live music will be added for the first time, the Sallymacs will play before and after the parade in the area around Bridge Street and Broadway. The celebrity grand marshal for the parade will be Mario Lopez, who was runner-up in the TV series, “Dancing With the Stars.” The parade and accompanying Pub Crawl last year attracted an estimated 10,000 people into the downtown area to watch marchers, floats and bands cover the 98-foot parade route on world-famous Bridge Street, the world’s shortest street in everyday use.

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Just in time for spring, Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring is hosting Bluebird Day on March 17. Spend the morning building a bluebird house – and create a wonderful addition to your backyard. Not only will bluebirds add beauty to your surroundings – they have the added benefit of eating insects that are harmful to gardens. Welcome these lovely warblers to your home with a house you made yourself! There is no cost for the workshop, but space is limited and reservations are encouraged.

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March is Arkansas Archeology Month and this year’s theme is “Arkansas Rock Art.” Programs and guided hikes will highlight Petit Jean’s authentic rock art on March 17, which is Archeology Day at Petit Jean State Park.

The annual Wildflower Weekend at the park is set for March 30-April 1. Wildflower walks, demonstrations and evening shows all relate to the celebration of wildflowers.

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This festival's commitment to showcasing work by emerging and established filmmakers from Arkansas and neighboring states remains strong since it’s beginning in 2002. The Ozark Foothills FilmFest, scheduled March 22 – 25, will showcase a variety of independent films by filmmakers from Arkansas and neighboring states. Activities are scheduled at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville and several venues in Batesville. Paying homage to one of the area’s most famous residents – racing legend Mark Martin – this year’s theme is Start Your Engines: Movies about the Racing Life. 

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The ringing of steel pounding red-hot steel will be heard around Plantation Agriculture Museum State Park on March 24 as it hosts the 15th Annual Forge Fest. Expert blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft which was used to create an array of items from everyday tools to knife blades. Other activities taking place will be a variety of pioneer games such as marbles, stilts and horseshoes in addition to tours of the museum. The state park museum interprets Arkansas cotton agriculture and plantation life from statehood in 1836 to World War II. The outside events are free; admission to the museum is $3 adults and $2 for children. To reach the museum, which is located in Scott, take Exit #7 off I-440, then head south on U.S. 165 five miles to the junction of U.S. 165 and Ark. 161.

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The 17th annual Eureka Springs Kite Festival is set for March 24 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The unique, the tiny, the great and the colorful will take to the air. The sky’s the limit as past participants gather to share stories and show off new and/or champion kites along with those who simply love the feel of launching an honest, old-fashioned, hand-built kite. Kites will fly from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and everyone is welcome to bring a kite.

This is a perfect family affair and chairs, blankets and homemade entertainment are encouraged. There will be food and drinks available on the premises.

The event will be held on the grounds of the Turpentine Creek Animal Refuge located on Ark. 23, 7 miles south of Eureka Springs. Admission is free. 

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A Medicinal Herb Hike and Workshops will be offered March 30-31 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. The herb hike in the Ozark hills will be from noon-5 p.m. on Friday, March 30. On Saturday, March 31, Marge Powell will provide workshops on Healthy Nutrition, Hands-on Tinctures, Ointments, Infusions and Teas. Class size is limited, so register early.

Admission before March 21 for both days is $55; for the Friday hike $20, for the Saturday workshop $40. After March 21, cost for the hike and workshop will be $75, for the Friday hike $30 and for the Saturday workshop $50. 

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Exhibitions from a wide variety of horse disciplines and breeds can be seen March 31 during the annual horse festival at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena in Fayetteville. Nationally prominent trainers and clinicians will be featured as well as local celebrities. Horse-related merchandise will be available as will local equine organizations and groups to answer questions.

Admission is $10 for adult armbands (includes indoor and all outdoor activities); $5 for kids 12 and under. Entrance to the outdoor events only is $5 for adults and free to kids 12 and under. 

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Trudy is one ol’ girl who doesn’t mind people knowing her age. Trudy, the Little Rock Zoo’s western lowland gorilla, will celebrate her 50th birthday on March 31 and everyone is invited to take part. Among the activities scheduled for Trudy's Big Birthday Bash! include Keeper Chats at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., special enrichment time with the great apes and close encounters with the Zoo’s education animals. There will be free birthday cake and ice cream for visitors while supplies last and a special gift presentation to Trudy.

Guests are encouraged to bring Trudy a gift from her wish list which includes a refrigerator, bottled low sugar juices, low sugar whole grain cereals, Kong Toys®, one-half inch clear vinyl tubing, dried fruits, canned fruit in light syrup, low sugar jams and jellies, and low sodium peanut butter. Trudy sets a good example as a healthy eater.