Events Celebrating Anniversaries in 2016 in Southwest Arkansas
Here are a few of the events and festivals celebrating anniversaries this year in Southwest Arkansas!
Henderson State University in Arkadelphia is celebrating its 125th anniversary with an exhibition that highlights the history of the university. The opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, March 3 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The Arkadelphia Arts Museum is open Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 625 Main Street. hsu.edu/125/.
The 45th annual Smackover Oil Town Festival is June 16-18 in Smackover. The event celebrates Smackover’s oil heritage with family-friendly activities including free concerts, arts and crafts booths, a rod wrenching contest, a Drill Bit Toss, a Pipe Tote, a watermelon eating contest, a dog show, a Duck Race, a tug-o-war contest, horseshoes, food vendors and more. The event is at City Park at 10th Street and Broadway. For more details call 870-725-3521 or visit smackoverar.com.
The 25th annual Spa Blast at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming is July 1 in Hot Springs. Spa Blast is a fireworks, food, and music festival with plenty of kids activities. The event is at the Oaklawn Infield at 2705 Central Avenue. For more details call 501-623-4411 or visit oaklawn.com.
The 40th annual Hope Watermelon Festival is August 11-13 in Hope. The festival includes watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, the Watermelon Olympics, live music, fishing, archery, arm-wrestling and horseshoe tournaments, craft and food booths, a car and motorcycle show and more. For more information call 870-777-3640 or visit hopemelonfest.com.
On August 25 the National Park Service turns 100! In Arkansas this includes Hot Springs National Park, Pea Ridge National Military Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Buffalo National River, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Fort Smith National Historic Site, and the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail also goes through Arkansas. nps.gov/state/ar/index.htm; nps.gov/subjects/centennial/index.htm
2016 marks the 25th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.The ten-day festival takes place October 7-16 in Hot Springs and hosts documentaries from around the world. It is the longest running documentary film festival in the U.S. and serves as an Academy Award qualifier in the Documentary Short Subject category. Throughout the festival industry professionals, filmmakers, and celebrity guests participate in workshops, panels, and discussion forums. Past attendees over the years have included a wide range of celebrities including actor James Earl Jones, Academy Award-nominated actress Tess Harper, and Olympic diver Greg Louganis. For more details visit hsdfi.org.