This Weekend in the Arkansas Delta and North Central Ozarks

Start summer with a bang at the 32nd annual Portfest in Newport June 7-8 with the excitement of live music and fireworks. Held along the banks of the White River at Jacksonport State Park, Portfest’s features live music on Friday night. Saturday’s events include a large carnival, activities for children, a bass tournament and arts and crafts and live music. Saturday evening concludes with a fireworks extravaganza. This year’s headliners are John Conlee and the Bellamy Brothers on Friday, June 7, and Jo Dee Messina and Eddy Raven on Saturday, June 8. 

The 11th Annual Stars and Stripes Jubilee is slated for June 7-8 in Tyronza. The event is held each year to honor service personnel and veterans. You’ll find fun and games, a carnival, a parade, food and craft vendors, and music from the grandstand in the park. 

Downtown Wynne is the site for the 37th annual Farm Fest on June 7-8. The festival features barbecue cooking contests, arts and crafts, games and rides for the kids, an antique tractor show and much more. 

Celebrate Des Arc’s river heritage during the 28th annual Steamboat Days on June 7-8! This year’s event features live entertainment on Friday and Saturday, a crawfish eating contest, activities just for kids, a car show, arts and crafts, a 5K run, a carnival and more. 

June 8 is the Helena Second Saturday Downtown Festival in Helena-West Helena. The event brings local artisans, musicians, merchants, farmers and visitors together the second weekend of each month in downtown Helena. The event, held along historic Cherry Street, is a great opportunity for shopping, eating and exploring. Many of the businesses along historic Cherry Street participate and offer extended hours on Second Saturdays.