Travelin’ the Arkansas Delta: Events Taking Place During October

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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Experience a flurry of fall fun as Peebles Farm in Augusta hosts the annual Fall Festival on Oct. 1-31. This year’s event features a 15-acre corn maze, hayrides, a play area, hay pyramids and tunnels, a petting zoo, a cotton patch where you can pick cotton, and 60 acres of pumpkins where you can choose the perfect orange globe to make into a jack-o-lantern. On Friday and Saturday nights throughout October nighttime tours of the corn maze are offered. Visit www.cornmazesamerica.com/peebles.htm or phone 870-919-6162 to learn more.

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The Central Delta Depot Museum in Brinkley is the site for the 26th annual Fall Festival on Oct. 2-3. Friday evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with music and a fish fry. Saturday events start at 10 a.m. and features arts and crafts, a car show, live music, a talent contest, a “back seat” driver contest, mechanical bull rides, and lots of food! Admission is $1 per vehicle. You can learn more by visiting www.BrinkleyChamber.com or calling 870-734-2262.

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Prepare to be petrified as Pumpkin Hollow in St. Francis opens its haunted attractions to those who dare to enter! Beginning Oct. 2, visitors will be terrified by Bubba’s Butcher Barn, the Forest of Fright, and the new Mad Skull Mine. For the youngsters or the faint of heart, there’s the Friendly Fairytale Forest. The haunted attractions are open each Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31. For more information on Pumpkin Hollow’s special events, log on to www.PumpkinHollow.com or phone 870-598-3568.

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The reptiles take over in Lepanto as the 79th annual Terrapin Derby is held on Main Street on Oct. 3. Watch as the turtles race to snap up the watermelon waiting for them at the finish line. The long-time festival also offers live music, arts and crafts, games for the youngsters, and…terrapins! Phone 870-475-2415 for more information.

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Beginning Oct. 3, Hardin Farms in Grady will host its annual Pumpkin Patch Festival featuring a variety of activities for youngsters and the young-at-heart. The festival runs through Oct. 31 and offers a haunted house, a pumpkin patch, a giant tree swing, a hay maze, hayrides, a Native American village, a play area, and an animal show barn. For details log on to www.hardinfarmsandmarket.com or call them at 870-479-3978.

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Experience the Arkansas Delta in a whole new way as Delta Heritage Trail State Park in Barton hosts a Bike and Kayak Tour on Oct. 3. 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 will 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 will be transported back to the park office in Barton. 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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Historic downtown Helena serves as the backdrop for the 24th annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (formerly known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival) on Oct. 8-10. The internationally known festival features three days of music, food, festivities…and more music! This year’s headliners include the Cate Brothers, Bobby Rush, Michael Burks, and the legendary Pinetop Perkins. Tickets for the main stage performances are $5 per day or $10 for a three-day pass. There is no admission charge for the other stages or areas of the festival. For complete stage lineups and more information log on to www.BluesandHeritageFest.com or phone 870-338-6583.

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The Hometown Crawfordsville Harvest Festival will be held Oct. 10 in Crawfordsville. The daylong event will feature arts and crafts, live entertainment, a children’s area, the Delta Cruisers Car Club exhibition and show, and horseshoe contests. Activities will be held on Main Street from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For details phone 870-823-5822.

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Spend the evening gazing at the stars as Village Creek State Park in Wynne hosts a Star Party on Oct. 10. The event begins with a presentation in the auditorium and then participants move outside where telescopes will be set up to view the constellations. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406.

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Learn the essentials of Dutch oven cooking as Crowley’s Ridge State Park in Paragould hosts a Basic Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop on Oct. 10. The three-hour workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of cooking outdoors with the cast iron Dutch oven, including seasoning and care of the vessel. Admission is $12 and includes a traditional Dutch oven lunch. Reservations are required. To learn more visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-573-6751.

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Crossett hosts the 31st annual Wiggins Cabin Festival on Oct. 10. The event honors the Wiggins Cabin, Ashley County’s oldest structure until it was lost to a fire in 2002. The community rebuilt an exact replica using methods from the mid-1800s, including hewn logs and hand-made shingles. The festival offers a 5K run, live entertainment, activities for kids, and great festival foods. Log on to www.WigginsCabinFestival.com or phone 870-364-3648 for details.

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The 19th annual Homestead Festival will be held at Parker Pioneer Homestead in Harrisburg on Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 17-18. Visit the restored buildings and enjoy sorghum cooking, broom making, wagon rides, blacksmithing, and live music. The Haunted Homestead comes “alive” on Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31. Experience 40 acres of scariness…including a spooky cemetery and a horrifying hayride…if you dare! Visit www.ParkerHomestead.com or phone 870-578-2699 for more information.

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Have an “owl” of a good time as McGehee hosts OwlFest 2009 on Oct. 16-17. Activities include a golf tournament, an owl hoot contest, cooking demonstrations by Chef Jamie McAfee, a Razorback tailgate party, live music, games for kids, and a talent show. Learn more by visiting www.McGeheeChamber.com or by calling 870-222-4451.

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Head to downtown Lake Village for the 13th annual Lake Chicot Fall Festival on Oct. 16-17. Enjoy live entertainment, the Colossal Chili Cook-off, lots of food, a dog show, games for the kids, and a horseshoe tournament. For more information visit www.lakevillagechamber.com or phone 870-265-5997.

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Ride your horse for a good cause! Village Creek State Park in Wynne will host Saddle Up for St. Jude on Oct. 17. Riders can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the park and raise money that will benefit children from all over the world. The event features a 23-mile ride, auction, and dinner. Visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406 for detailed information.

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Enjoy an evening of opera as Warfield Concerts in Helena-West Helena hosts a performance of La Bohème by Teatro Lirico D'Europa on Oct. 20. La Bohème, written by Giacomo Puccini, revolves around the love between Mimi and Rodolfo. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Lily Peter Auditorium on the campus of Phillips Community College/University of Arkansas. The performance is free and open to the public. Visit www.WarfieldConcerts.com for more information.

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The 33rd annual Grand Prairie Rice Festival will be held Oct. 24 in the city park in Hazen. The festival celebrates the community’s farming heritage and features an antique farm equipment parade and show, live music, special activities for kids, food vendors, and a mini-tractor pull. For more information email dhardke@mebanking.com or phone David Hardke at 870-255-3042.

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Delta Heritage Trail State Park in Barton will host BooFest on Oct. 24. The popular event offers youngsters a safe Halloween activity including a variety of games and a haunted gin. The games are free and open to kids up to age 12. The cost for a tour of the haunted gin is $1 per person. To learn more contact the Delta Heritage Trail State Park at 870-572-2352.

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Corning will host the annual Harvest Festival will be held Oct. 24 at Wynn Park. The free daylong event will feature an antique car show, antique farm machinery demonstrations, arts and crafts, children's games, a quilt show, and live entertainment. For more information contact Rhonda at 870-857-3429.

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Spend Halloween hearing spooky stories as Crowley’s Ridge State Park in Paragould hosts Ghosts, Legends, and the Unexplained on Oct. 31. Learn more about local legends and listen to eerie ghost stories. Participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween garb and awards will be given for the best costumes. For more details visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-573-6751.

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Little ghosts and goblins take over Cane Creek State Park in Star City as the park hosts the annual Ghost Roast on Oct. 31. One of the park’s most popular events, Ghost Roast offers trick-or-treating, hayrides, carnival games, a costume contest, and a haunted house. For detailed information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-628-4714.

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Spend a “boo-tiful” evening as Village Creek State Park in Wynne hosts a Halloween Party on Oct. 31. The night’s activities include games, crafts, and Halloween treats. Costumes are optional but prizes will be given for the best Halloween outfit. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406.

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Caraway will host the annual Fall Festival on Oct. 31. Held along Main Street, the festival features arts and crafts, live music and entertainment, a variety of informational booths, and fun activities for all ages. For more information phone 870-482-3431.