February Events Taking Place in the Arkansas Ozarks

Jill M. Rohrbach and Kimberly J. Williams, travel writers
Arkansas Tourism

Note to the Print and Broadcast Media: In order to better serve your needs and to keep you from getting extremely long documents from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, we have decided to break down our Travelin’ Arkansas release into regions organized by date. This way you will be able to look only at the areas you are interested in covering. The territories covered in Travelin' Arkansas adhere to the six geographical regions found in the Arkansas Tour Guide. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.

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Enjoy an Eagle Watch Cruise on Beaver Lake hosted by Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area in Rogers on Feb. 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27. An interpretive guide will help investigate for signs of Bald Eagles on a tour of the Van winkle arm of the lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of this body of water. Buy your tickets at the park visitor center or by calling 479-789-5000. Pre-registration and payment is required. Participants should dress for the weather. The tour leaves from Rocky Branch Recreation Area and costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Visit http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea/ for information on the park and its programs.

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Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View offers a Cooking with Chocolate and Cherries class on Feb. 11. Participants will design and create sweet treats for their valentine in this hands-on workshop. It will take place in the park’s Skillet Restaurant. The cost is $30.

On Feb. 12 the park will host a Valentine Dinner and Show. The evening consists of a specially prepared dinner for two, a relaxed evening show in a cozy atmosphere, and a stay overnight in one of the cabins.

For details and reservations, contact the park at 870-269-3851 or online at http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/.

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Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan offers Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble: A Soapmaking Workshop on Feb. 12. Participants 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. Registrants will receive soap recipes and bars of homemade soap. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. Admission is $20 and participants will need to bring protective clothing. To make reservations or for more information, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Powhatan Historic State Park at 870-878-6765.

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The 7th annual Chocolate Lovers Festival in Eureka Springs takes place Feb. 12. This is a Valentine’s Day extravaganza for the chocoholic, where fountains overflow with the sumptuous sweet. The chocolate delights include rich dark varieties, chocolate ice cream, chocolate drinks and chocolate body care products. Sponsored by Vacations Rentals, Inc., the event takes place at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, located at 207 W. Van Buren. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children 6 and under. Visit http://www.eurekachocfest.com/ or call 479-253-7700 for more information.

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Winter is a great time to fish for bass…and Lake Charles in Powhatan has one of the best bass populations in area! So grab your fishing pole and discover tips for successful angling during Lake Charles State Park’s Deep Water Bass Fishing workshop on Feb. 12. On Feb. 19, join the park interpreter to learn more about fish habitat in Lake Charles. Participants will establish habitat in the lake and get inside secrets to where the fish are hiding. For more details on either workshop, contact the park at 870-878-6595.

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Spend a day in nature with your valentine during Sweetheart Weekend Feb. 12-13 at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area in Rogers. The program consists of an Eagle Watch Cruise, guided by one of the park interpreters, on Beaver Lake. Afterward, travel to nearby War Eagle Mill for a delicious lunch and gift from the Mill gift shop. Next, head to the park's Townsend Road Trailhead for a guided hike to the War Eagle Overlook. This is a three-mile round trip trek to the scenic overlook of the War Eagle Valley. Take a break to take in the beautiful view, and then pose with your loved one for a photograph to remember your sweetheart weekend. The event is limited to the first 10 couples or 20 individuals. Trips are scheduled for each day of that weekend. The cost is $60 per couple. Reservations and payment must be made in advance by calling 479-789-5000. Visit http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea/ for more information about the park.

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If you’re looking for something different to do in celebration of Valentine’s Day, try attending Cupid in the Caverns on Feb. 12 and 13 at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View. On this cavern tour, new and old love songs will be presented in a very unique way -underground. Call 870-269-8068 or visit http://www.ozarkgetaways.com/index.html for details.

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If you enjoy wine, head to the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs on Feb. 18 for the University of Arkansas’s “A Class Act.” This is the gathering of the best and the brightest of the students in the Hospitality and Restaurant Management Program in Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Students will prepare a multi-course meal with wine pairing for the general public. This exquisite evening of wining, dining, and fun has a limited number of seats, so reservations are required. Call 479-253-9766 for details.

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Staff at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring will offer a Create With Crochet class on Feb. 19. Learn the basics of crocheting and make keepsakes for family and friends.The fee of $15 includes supplies and instruction. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 870-625-7364 by Feb. 12 to reserve your space.

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Learn more about bats when Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas offers a Bat House Workshop on Feb. 19. Make your own bat house and learn about these amazing creatures and how you benefit having them in your yard. Admission is $15 per family…and don’t forget to bring your hammer! To make reservations or for more information call the park at 870-892-4708.