June Events Taking Place in the Ouachitas of Arkansas

Zoie Clift, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

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. 

------------------------------------------------------------

The 34th annual Lum & Abner Festival is June 3-4 in Mena at Janssen Park. The event has arts and crafts, live entertainment, a 5K run, live re-enactments of the Lum & Abner Radio Show and more.

------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs is the scene of the Outdoor Adventure Series-Take a Hike Weekend June 3-5.This is a good time to take a hike, before the heat of summer sets in. The park has over nine miles on three trails with views of the lake, the Ouachita Mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and more. Take guided hikes on park trails, enjoy hiking demonstrations, and more. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Caddo River Days is June 3-4 in Glenwood. The free event has arts and crafts, a trade show, antique car show, food and entertainment, a fishing derby, a car show, a triathlon, a BBQ cook-off, an inner-tube race on the river, buggy rides and more. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Join park staff and members of the Arkansas Canoe Club June 4 in Wickes for a Cossatot Spring River Cleanup. Participants meet at the beautiful, scenic Cossatot River for a day of kayaking and trash pickup along the river, access points, and roads. If you don't own a kayak, a limited number of kayaks are provided by the Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area. The deadline to register and reserve your kayak is June 2, or you can bring your own. Bring any snacks you want and water. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Motorcycle enthusiasts: Here is an opportunity to ride the roads of Arkansas as you travel from Queen Wilhelmina State Park to Mount Magazine State Park June 4 for the Peak to Peak Poker Run. These are Arkansas' highest mountains and in between are scenic highways, national forests and beautiful countryside. 

------------------------------------------------------------

The 4th annual e-Day Festival is an environmental event on June 5 in Hot Springs. The event hosts almost one hundred environmentally conscious businesses, nonprofits, schools, and various eco-savvy groups. Admission is free and the event has live music, food vendors, games, art, and intriguing exhibitors with eco-friendly products to purchase.

------------------------------------------------------------

The Hot Springs Music Festival is June 5-18 in Hot Springs. The festival brings together over 250 international musicians each June. The festival, now in its 16th season, pairs world-class mentor musicians from major orchestras, chamber ensembles and conservatory faculties with talented pre-professional apprentices. For two weeks these musicians form a unique community presenting 20 concerts and over 250 open rehearsals for music lovers to enjoy.

------------------------------------------------------------

The 31st annual Malvern Brickfest is June 23-25 in City Park in Malvern. An entertainment stage is set up for all three days. Also there is a 5K race, car and tractor show, a motorcycle show, a kid's section, a brick toss, brick car derby, and more. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Hey riders! Come gather for a motorcycle rally June 23-25 in Hot Springs during the Arkansas State HOG Rally. The event includes parades, vendors, entertainers and rides in the beautiful Ouachita mountains. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Performing songwriter Kerry Grombacher appears in concert at the Lake Catherine State Park amphitheater in Hot Springs June 25. In the spirit of the troubadours of old, Grombacher's contemporary folk and western songs paint vivid portraits and tell the fascinating stories of roadside motels, old camp cooks, wildland firefighters: the landmarks and denizens of the West.