Top Events & Festivals 2012

January 13-April 14: Thoroughbred Racing at Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs. Enjoy some of Mid-America’s finest Thoroughbred racing at a first-rate track. Oaklawn offers a variety of dining options and simulcast and instant racing the remainder of the year. Oaklawn begins its 108th year this season with exciting stakes races. The park’s "Racing Festival of the South" attracts the nation's top horses and the Arkansas Derby winner becomes eligible for the famous Triple Crown. CONTACT: 1-800-OAKLAWN; www.oaklawn.com

March 17: The First Ever 9th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs. Celebrity Grand Marshal Tim Matheson, green fireworks, Irish belly dancers, floats, Irish Order of Elvi (a group of Elvis look-alikes), marchers, Irish Wolfhounds, and more. Held on historic Bridge Street. CONTACT: 501-321-2851; www.hotsprings.org

March 16-18: Annual Jonquil Festival, Washington (Historic Washington State Park). Celebration of spring in a 19th-century restoration village features thousands of blooming jonquils, many planted by early settlers; over 100 craft vendors; musicians performing varied types of music; surrey rides; food vendors, special interpretive programs and historic tours; buffet meal at Williams' Tavern Restaurant; other added attractions. CONTACT: P.O. Box 129, Washington 71862. 870-983-2684; www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com

April 20- 22: Annual Arkansas Folk Festival, Mountain View (Court Square, Ozark Folk Center State Park). Annual Spring celebration featuring handmade crafts, frontier life demonstrations, a parade, dancing on the Courthouse Square, and a window decorating contest. This family festival salutes the culture of the Ozarks with tons of folk, mountain, and bluegrass music. The Ozark Folk Center State Park opens for the season with free admission to Crafts Village during this weekend. Free shuttle from downtown to the Folk Center. CONTACT: Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, P.O. Box 133, Mountain View 72560. 888-679-2859; www.yourplaceinthemountains.com

April 26-29: Wild Hog Motorcycle Rally and Musicfest, Helena-West Helena (Downtown Historic District). The four-day event spotlights motorcycles and music. The festival marks its 12th year in 2012.Features food and merchandise vendors; field events; a motorcycle parade; a Ms. Wild Hog contest; live music. CONTACT: Wild Hog Motorcycle Rally and Musicfest, P.O. Box 2617, West Helena 72390. www.wildhogmusic.org

May 4-6: 31st Annual Toad Suck Daze, Conway (Downtown). This popular festival includes arts and crafts, the Toadal Kids Zone, a carnival, local and national entertainment, food, rock wall, petting zoo, Stuck on a Truck, 5K/10K, golf tournament, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, magicians, and The World Championship Toad Races. Proceeds support higher education in Faulkner County. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, 900 Oak Street, Conway 72032. 501-327-7788. www.toadsuck.org

May 18-20: 28th Annual International Greek Food Festival, Little Rock (Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church). Billed as the largest ethnic festival in the state, it features a huge array of homemade items from cooks from various culinary traditions, such as Greek, Armenian, Georgian, Romanian, Russian, Indian, Middle Eastern, English and American. Both savory and sweet dishes are offered. All types of entertainment, and Old World Market, a children’s area and church tours also take place. During its 26 years of existence, the Greek Food Festival has raised and donated over $1 million dollars to more than 20 charities. 1100 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock 72211. 501-221-5300. www.greekfoodfest.com

May 18-19: Annual Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship Steak Cook-Off, Magnolia. Arts, crafts, sidewalk art show and sale, 5K run, fun run, fishing tournament, food booths, gospel singing, live entertainment, championship steak cook-off. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 866, Magnolia, 71754-0866. Phone: 870 234-4352; www.blossomfestival.org

May 25-27: 35th Annual Riverfest, Little Rock (Riverfront Park). A celebration of visual and performing arts with six outdoor stages, children's entertainment, activities and more! The 2010 Riverfest Recycles program collected 17 tons of recyclable materials. The program encourages festival-goers to keep recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans out of landfills by collecting them from the festival grounds and exchanging them for fun items at the Riverfest Recycles centers. CONTACT: Riverfest, 500 President Clinton Avenue, Suite 217, Little Rock 72201. 501-255-3378; www.riverfestarkansas.com

June 3-16: Hot Springs Music Festival, Hot Springs. Brings together over 250 international musicians. Over the course of the festival 20 concerts and over 250 open rehearsals are available to enjoy. The festival takes place in a variety of non-traditional venues including historic buildings, art galleries, and open air spaces. CONTACT: 603 Prospect Ave., Hot Springs National Park, 71901-3918. 501-623-4763. www.hotmusic.org

June 6-9: Annual Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren. This festival celebrates the famous Bradley County Tomato crop. All-tomato luncheon, tomato eating and packing contests, carnival, parade, Miss Pink Tomato pageant, arts, crafts, antique car show, live music and street dance. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, 206 N. Myrtle, Warren 71671. 870-226-5225; www.bradleypinktomato.com

June 12-16: Annual Petit Jean Show & Swap Meet, The Museum of Automobiles, Morrilton (Petit Jean Mountain). Over 100 antique and classic cars compete for awards in various categories, from turn-of-the-19th century to 1982 models. About 800 antique cars for sale. Over 1,000 vendor spaces filled with antique cars, parts and related items; arts and crafts section. Food vendors. CONTACT: The Museum of Automobiles, 8 Jones Lane, Morrilton 72110. 501-727-5427; www.motaa.com

July 4-7: Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks, Springdale (Parsons Stadium). Authentic stagecoach rides, good food and entertainment at the Stagecoach Inn one week prior to the rodeo; two rodeo parades; over 500 contestants and professional athletes will compete in six PRCA and WPRA sanctioned events -- Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronco Riding and the popular Bull Riding. CONTACT: Parsons Stadium, 1423 E. Emma, Springdale 72764; 1-877-92-RODEO, http://parsonsstadium.com/.

July 19-22: Annual Johnson County Peach Festival, Clarksville. Terrapin derby, frog jump, peach pit spitting contest, parade, bicycle obstacle course, egg toss, barbershop quartet music, gospel sing, craft booths, concessions, banana split contest, street dance, greased pig chase, peach cobbler/jam & jelly bake-off, 4-mile run, water balloon toss, bass tournament, Miss Arkansas preliminary pageants, Princess Elberta pageant.CONTACT: Johnson County Peach Festival Association, P.O. Box 517, Clarksville, 72830, 479-754-9152.; http://jocopeachfestival.8m.com/

July 28: Annual World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, Heber Springs (Greers Ferry Lake). Put your creative talents – and boat building skills – to the test at this event. There are three divisions of competition in both adult and children’s races including one or two person, team and mechanical. All participants race a 200-yard-course. Past entries have been USS battleships, planes, trains and even the Starship Enterprise. Trophies awarded include the Pride of the Fleet, the Titanic Award, plus first, second and third places in each division for speed. Other activities include a tug of war, a watermelon eating contest, a treasure dig for kids, sand sculpting and the Cardboard Boat Demolition Derby. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, 1001 West Main Street, Heber Springs 72543. 501-362-2444, toll free 1-800-774-3237; www.heber-springs.com; chamber@heber-springs.com.

Aug. 7-11: Annual Tontitown Grape Festival, Tontitown. More than 6000 lbs. of homemade pasta and sauce will be sold or served at the Italian spaghetti dinners, more than 100 crafts exhibitors, biathlon, entertainment, Queen Concordia pageant, plus nightly carnival. CONTACT: Tontitown Grape Festival, P.O. Box 364, Tontitown 72770. 479-361-2615; www.tontitowngrapefestival.com.

August 9-11: Annual Hope Watermelon Festival, Hope (Fair Park). Watermelon eating and seed spitting contests; Watermelon Olympics; variety of live music all four days; fishing, archery, arm-wrestling and horseshoe tournaments; 5K run; more than 300 craft booths; food booths; antique engine and car shows; motorcycle show. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 250, Hope 71802. Phone: 870-777-3640; www.hopemelonfest.com

Sept. 1-3: Annual National Championship Chuck Wagon Races, Clinton. Chuck wagon races, Snowy River Race, bronc fanning, Western music and dances, trail rides, non-denominational church services on Sunday morning, barn dances, Western trade show, music, food. CONTACT: Dan and Peggy Eoff, 2848 Shake Rag Road, Clinton 72031. 501-745-8407; www.chuckwagonraces.com.

Sept. 1-3: Annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair, Prairie Grove (Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park). More than 200 arts and crafts exhibitors are spread out over the historic battleground. Also a parade, folk, bluegrass, gospel and country music, square dancing exhibitions and competitions, fun run, 5-K race, food concessions. CONTACT: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, 506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove 72753. 479-846-2990; www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Sept. 26-29: Bikes, Blues & BBQ Motorcycle Rally, Fayetteville. BBB is the largest non-profit, family-friendly, motorcycle rally in the country for people seeking to enjoy the best in motorcycle riding, blues music and barbeque while at the same helping those in need. 479-527-9993; www.bikesbluesandbbq.org,

October 4-6: Annual King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena-West Helena (Downtown Historic District). Marking its 27th year in 2012, “the Biscuit” is three days of live music featuring legendary performers from Helena’s Delta blues heyday, leading contemporary blues acts and emerging blues practitioners; barbecue cook-off; 5-K run; food vendors;and an arts and crafts market. CONTACT: King Biscuit Blues Festival, P.O. Box 2398, West Helena 72390; 870-572-5223; www.kingbiscuitfestival.com

October 5-6: MusicFest El Dorado. The event is South Arkansas’ largest outdoor music event. The festival was created to bring people downtown and to showcase all of the businesses. It started with five hundred or so people and twenty five years later it has grown to include over 30 acts on 4 stages. CONTACT: Main Street El Dorado, 870-862-4747; www.musicfesteldorado.com.

Oct. 5-7: Annual Arkansas Apple Festival, Lincoln. Apple core throwing, Apple Harvest Queen pageant, parade, square dancing, cloggers, gospel singing, arts, crafts, inflatables for kids. CONTACT: Arkansas Apple Festival Comm., P.O. Box 382, Lincoln 72744. 479-824-FEST; www.arkansasapplefestival.org.

October 12-21: 73rd Annual Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show, Little Rock (State Fairgrounds and Barton Coliseum). The state’s largest event features 10 days of livestock shows, commercial and educational exhibits, a variety of concerts, carnival, 10-acre midway with rides and games, arts, crafts, clowns, magicians, strolling musicians, talent and queen contests. CONTACT: Arkansas State Fair Association, 2600 Howard St., Little Rock 72206. 501-372-8341; www.arkansasstatefair.com/

Oct. 13: Annual Wiederkehr Weinfest, Wiederkehr Village. Tours of the winery, wine tastings, music, food, entertainment, vineyard and wine cellar tours, polka lessons, grape stomping contest, arts, crafts. CONTACT: Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, 3324 Swiss Family Dr., Wiederkehr Village 72821. 1-800-622-9463; www.wiederkehrwines.com.

Oct. 18-21: Annual Fall War Eagle Fair, Hindsville (War Eagle Mill Farm). 500 booths of baskets, quilts, woodwork, pottery, furniture, wood carving, toys, leather, books, candles, weaving, jams and jellies, and food are displayed under circus-style tents on the historic farm grounds. One of the most highly respected crafts fairs in the country. CONTACT: Ozark Arts & Crafts Fair Association, War Eagle Mills Farm, 11036 High Sky Inn Rd, Hindsville, AR 72738 479-789-5398; www.wareaglefair.com

Oct. 18-20: Annual Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Festival, Bella Vista. Approximately 350 quality arts and craftspeople display and sell their wares, food vendors, kids' activities, musical entertainment. All goods made by the exhibitors. CONTACT: Bella Vista Festival, P.O. Box 5009, Bella Vista 72714. 479-855-2064; www.bellavistafestival.org.

Oct. 26-28: Annual Beanfest and Great Arkansas Championship Outhouse Race, Mountain View (Court Square). Outhouse races, most original outhouse and most creatively dressed outhouse driver contests, free beans and cornbread luncheon, music, entertainment, children’s games. CONTACT: Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, P.O. Box 133, Mountain View 72560. 870-269-8098; www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.

November 17-25: Annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival, Stuttgart (Main Street). The 77th annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest; World’s Championship Duck Gumbo Cook-off; annual Queen Mallard pageant; carnival; 10K race; sporting goods and collectibles shows; arts and crafts; commercial exhibits. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1500, Stuttgart 72160. 870-673-1602; www.stuttgartarkansas.org

Nov. 17-Dec. 31: Annual Lights of the Ozarks Festival, Fayetteville. More than 300 miles of lights illuminate the historic downtown square and surrounding area, from northern to southern boundaries. Old Main, a landmark on the University of Arkansas main campus, is also outlined in lights. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 4216, Fayetteville 72702. 479-521-5776; www.experiencefayetteville.com.