May Events Taking Place in the Arkansas Delta

Kimberly J. Williams, travel writer
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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The “one and only downtown Paragould” is the site of the 6th annual Art and Stroll on May 5. The event offers original art (with varied media), artists, music and refreshments in the downtown area. For questions contact Main Street Paragould at 870-240-0544.

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Wile away a few hours or a few days enjoying live bluegrass, gospel and country music during Village Creek State Park’s annual Pickin’ in the Park on May 5-7 in Wynne. Bring your lawn chair and listen as professional and amateur musicians play their favorite tunes. If you play an instrument, make sure and bring it along! The event is held in Campground A. To learn more contact Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406.

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Pull out the lederhosen and head to Stuttgart for the German Heritage Festival on May 7. The event is held on the grounds of the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie. German beer and wine, bratwurst, Germanic desserts and potato salad are on the menu, along with live polka music, a variety of children’s activities and a 5K run. Log on to www.GrandPrairieMuseum.org or phone 870-672-1425 for more information.

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Everyone could use a new, relaxing hobby! Why not basket weaving? Crowley’s Ridge State Park in Paragould offers a Basket Weaving Workshop on May 7. Participants learn how to make a variety of gifts and decorations, and make their own tote basket to take home. Contact the park at 870-573-6751 for details.

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Young cooks, don your apron and your chef’s hat and join the staff of Lake Frierson State Park in Jonesboro on May 7 for a Kids’ Campfire Cooking Class. Youngsters of all ages are invited to come learn fun and easy recipes for great campfire snacks, including biscuits on a stick and Ranger apple pie! To learn more or to register contact the park at 870-932-2615.

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Experience the Arkansas Delta in a whole new way when the Delta Heritage Trail State Park in Helena-West Helena hosts a Bike and Kayak Tour on May 7. The 10-mile guided bike ride begins at the park visitor center (located off U.S. 49) and ends in Lakeview. Upon arrival in Lakeview, tour members take to their kayaks and explore Old Town Lake, an oxbow lake filled with striking cypress trees. After the kayak tour of Old Town Lake, tour participants are transported back to the park office. The tour lasts approximately four hours. Reservations are required and the cost is $25 for adults and $15 for those ages 12 and under and includes the bike, kayak, life jackets, paddles, and the shuttle. To learn more contact the Delta Heritage Trail State Park at 870-572-2352.

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Join Main Street West Memphis on May 12 for Blues on Broadway in West Memphis. The free lunchtime concert, held at Regions Bank Plaza, celebrates National Tourism Week and Arkansas Heritage Month. Contact Main Street West Memphis at 870-735-8814 for details.

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If you’re already familiar with Dutch oven cooking, and want to take it to a whole new level, this class is for you! Lake Poinsett State Park in Harrisburg offers the Advanced Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop on May 14. Partakers learn advanced recipes and skills used in the cast iron cookware…way beyond the basic peach cobbler. Pre-registration is required and it is highly recommended that participants have completed the basic Dutch oven workshop. The fee is $25. To learn more, contact the park at 870-578-2064.

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Spend the night cruising Lake Dunn by the light of the silvery moon! Village Creek State Park hosts the Full Moon Kayak Tour of Lake Dunn on the evening of May 14. You’ll be serenaded by the creatures of the Arkansas Delta night while the moon lights your way around the lake. No experience is necessary to participate, although it is recommended that paddlers are comfortable around water and in the dark. The $10 fee (only $7 for those 12 and under) includes guide service, and use of a kayak,personal flotation device and a paddle. To make reservations or ask questions, contact the park at 870-238-9406.

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Native American legend says the sound of the drum reflects the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It is also a belief that when people sing along with the drum, nature joins in harmony and carries the spirit of the songs to the Creator. You will explore these legends and create a drum to take home when Hampson Archeological State Park in Wilson offers The Mother’s Heartbeat on May 14. The workshop is suitable for all ages. The $10 participant fee includes all materials. Contact the park at 870-655-8622 to learn more.

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Paragould offers four live music events each month: KASU’s Blues Monday, KASU's Bluegrass Monday, and WoodSongs, along with the newest addition, Terry’s Café Acoustic Bluegrass Jam Session. Blues and jazz performers from the region perform the third Monday of each month in downtown Paragould for KASU’s Blues Monday. The next Blues Monday is slated for May 16 at 7 p.m. Blues Monday and WoodSongs are held at the Red Goose Deli in downtown Paragould. On May 23, Terry’s Café, located at 201 S. Pruett St., welcomes bluegrass enthusiasts for the Acoustic Bluegrass Jam Session. Music starts at 4:30 p.m. and ends promptly at 6:45 p.m., just in time for KASU’s Bluegrass Mondays. The music is free and dinner specials are available. KASU hosts Bluegrass Monday on May 23 at the historic Collins Theater, featuring an open jam session for local musicians at 5 p.m. followed by a live bluegrass concert at 7 p.m. Inspired by the national public radio program “Michael Johnathon’s Old-Time Radio Show,” WoodSongs is held the fourth Saturday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and consists of entertainment from local songwriters and performers. The next performance date is May 28. For more information on the events contact Main Street Paragould at 870-240-0544.

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Downtown Paragould is the setting for the 22nd annual Loose Caboose Festival on May 19-21. Live music, carnival rides, a 100K bike ride, vendors, a fish fry, a large children’s area and stage, an expanded arts and crafts area, a karaoke contest, and petting zoo are all scheduled. To learn more log on to www.LooseCaboose.net or phone 870-240-0544.

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Downtown Tyronza serves as the backdrop for the 9th annual Stars and Stripes Festival on May 20-21. The festival features live music and a pageant on Friday evening. Saturday’s events include a parade, live music, games, and vendors and concludes with an evening street dance. For more information phone 870-487-2168.

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If you’re a fan of crawfish, Dermott is the place to be as the town hosts the 28th annual Crawfish Festival on May 20-21. The two-day festival also features nightly live music, the Arkansas Game and Fish aquarium, a dog show, children’s rides, arts and crafts…. and crawfish! To find out more visitwww.dermottcrawfishfestival.com/ or phone 870-538-5656.

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Spend a beautiful evening on Lake Frierson when Lake Frierson State Park in Jonesboro hosts an Evening Kayak and Dinner Cruise on May 21. Enjoy an informative and fun tour of the lake followed by dinner on the shoreline at sunset. The evening also features an astronomy program with the park interpreter. The cost is $15 per person. For details contact Lake Frierson State Park at 870-932-2615.

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The 2011 Tour de Hoot Bicycle Tour is slated for May 21 in McGehee. The bicycle tour, which benefits the McGehee Boys and Girls Club, offers routes ranging from 25 to 100 miles throughout southeast Arkansas. The event is known for great rest stops and delicious food. Log on to www.TourdeHoot.com or phone 870-222-8410 for all the details.

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May 21 is the date for the 13th annual Piggott Heritage Park Car Show in Piggott. Check out hundreds of classic cars restored to their glory. Other festivities include live entertainment, classic car parade, games, and lots of food. For more information contact the Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-598-3167.

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Arkansas Post National Memorial in Gillett hosts a Civil War Encampment on May 21. Also planned are signings of the book “The Chatfield Story: Civil War Letters and Diaries of Private Edward L. Chatfield of the 113th Illinois Volunteers.” Visit www.nps.gov/arpo or phone 870-548-2207 for details.

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Learn to make decorated works of art, ladles, containers and birdhouses from gourds when the Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc offers a Beginner’s Gourd Workshop on May 21. Reservations are required and the fee is $10. To learn more contact the park at 870-256-3711.

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Augusta hosts the 14th annual Augusta Days on May 26-29. The festival features a carnival, arts and crafts, a 5K and one-mile fun walk, a variety of food vendors, a community church service and live entertainment. For more information phone 870-919-1184.

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Anglers 15 years and older and seniors ages 60 and above are invited to grab their poles and head to Heritage Park in Piggott for a Fishing Rodeo on May 28. Prizes will be awarded throughout the event, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. until noon. Log on to www.PiggottParksandRecreation.com or call 870-598-5884 for information.

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Enjoy an evening of gospel music as Cane Creek State Park in Star City hosts Spring Music in the Park on May 28. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and watch the sunset while enjoying great live music. Pack up the entire family and head to the park for Dutch Oven Dessert and Game Night on May 29. Play a variety of games while waiting for the Dutch oven dessert to cook! Log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone the park at 870-628-4714.

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Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Crowley’s Ridge State Park in Paragould! The park hosts Fishing on the Ridge Kids’ Derby on May 28. Kids 15 years and under are invited to compete for a variety of prizes. That afternoon, it’s Memorial Day Madness! Bring the family and enjoy recreational activities, interpretive programs, swimming, and cruising in pedal boats while listening to music on the beach. Visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-573-6751 for details.

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The Civil War and Prairie County, a special program of the Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc on May 30, focuses on the events and effects of the Civil War on the area. Topics include local regiments and Union occupancy of the town. For more information contact the Lower White River Museum State Park at 870-256-3711.