Travelin’ Arkansas: Events Taking Place During February

Arkansas Tourism

We at the Arkansas Tourism Division recognize that our “Travelin’ Arkansas” media releases are frequently too lengthy to be used in their entirety. However, we feel an obligation to represent a variety of events from across the state. We encourage you to consider adapting "Travelin’ Arkansas" to fit your needs by selecting events you feel meet the interests of your readers or listeners. In addition, we would suggest that "Travelin’ Arkansas" items may be used on a stand-alone basis to fill your space and time needs.

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Learn the basics of birding from binoculars to bird songs during the program, “Migrating Through the River Valley,” set for Feb. 1-3 at Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville. Park staff along with several guest birders will teach topics of interest to birders of all levels of expertise. Admission is free. For a detailed program schedule, contact the park at 479-967-5516. For more information on this and other Arkansas State Parks, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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The Arts Council of Mississippi County in Blytheville presents The Taffetas: A Musical Journey Through the Fabulous Fifties on Feb. 3 at the Ritz Civic Center. The musical, which enjoyed a successful New York run off-Broadway, features well-known songs from the 1950s. For more information, call the Arts Council of Mississippi County at 870-762-1744.

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The Guy Davis Family Blues Show will be Feb. 8 in the Starr Theater of the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. As seen on Nickelodeon's Jack's Big Music Show, musician Guy Davis engages kids of all ages in the rich history and sound of the blues. Davis, who performs on guitars, banjo and harmonica, sings a blues journey through the southern regions of the United States, explaining the differences in the Mississippi Delta and Piedmont styles. Learn how the stories and music of the blues are an extension of the African American oral tradition with deep connections to the history of Arkansas.

Admission is $13 for cabaret seating and $9 for general admission. For tickets or more information, phone 479-443-5600 or visit www.waltonartscenter.org.

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Enjoy some show-stopping tunes from the Great White Way as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra goes “Behind the Mask: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Modern Broadway” Feb. 8 and 9. Guest vocalists Teri Dale Hansen, Leah Hocking and Aaron Lazar join the symphony for an evening of some of Broadway’s greatest hits. Selections from Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Les Miserables, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast and Ragtime are scheduled to be performed. The curtain goes up at 8 p.m. in Little Rock’s Robinson Center Music Hall, Markham and Broadway. Admission prices are $16, $34, $45, $66 and $70. E-mail [email protected] or call 501-666-1761 for more information.

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Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin will host an African American Quilting Workshop on Feb. 9. Participants will learn the traditions associated with quilting in the African American culture. For more information, call Parkin Archeological State Park at 870-755-2500 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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Enjoy lake tours to see migrating bald eagles, loons, ducks, osprey and other Arkansas winter visitors during Waterfowl Watch Feb. 9 at the marina at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck. Each program lasts approximately 1½ hours. Tours depart at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are made by calling the marina at 501-865-2811.

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Visit historic Mather Lodge on Petit Jean Mountain and be treated to a romantic weekend during Hikes, Hearts and Hugs set for Feb. 9-10 at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton. Activities for couples include guided trail hikes and fun games. The event’s highlight is a romantic dinner and dance. Reservations are required.

Admission is $70 per couple for the dinner and dance. The other activities are free. For reservations and detailed information, phone 501-727-5441 and visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.

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The Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart will host their 9th Annual Valentine Luncheon on Feb. 14. The event features a gourmet lunch, a Victorian fashion show and a display of Valentines from years past. Reservations are required. To learn more, contact the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie at 870-673-7001.

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The Arkansas Archeological Survey, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and the Arkansas Archeological Society are offering a Site Survey Certification Course Feb. 15-17. This three-day intensive training workshop will be held at the Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain and will ultimately enable participants to perform competently as crew members on professionally supervised projects.

The workshop without lodging is $50 plus tax and includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, lunch on Sunday, instruction and all materials. Full workshop registration, which includes lodging for two nights, six meals, instruction and all materials, is $190 plus tax. The registration deadline is Feb 8.

The Arkansas Archeological Society is an organization of approximately 700 citizens interested in archeology. The Arkansas Archeological Society operates in collaboration with the Arkansas Archeological Survey.

For more information, call 501-727-5435 or visit www.uawri.org.

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Park staff and volunteers will present a reenactment of a trial heard by Federal Judge Issac Parker during his years (1875-1896) on the bench for the Western District of Arkansas on Feb. 15-16 during the evening "Night Court" event. It will take place in the historic courtroom of the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith. Twelve people from the audience will be invited to participate as the jury and decide upon a verdict. At the conclusion of the program, the historical verdict will be revealed and discussed.

Admission is $5. For more information, phone 479-783-3961.

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The 21st annual Lawn and Garden Show and Seminar will be held Feb. 16 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Theme for this year’s event is "Come and Grow with Us" and hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics of discussion include "So You Want to Start Your Own Herb Garden," "Growing Tropicals," "Top 10 Mistakes in Landscaping," "Hot New Plants for 2008" and "Art of Recycling for the Garden." There will be exhibits and vendors in addition to the discussions. Admission is free and door prizes will be given away. Call 870-534-1033 for additional information.

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Visit Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork on Feb. 16 for the Vulture Venue In its second year, it is planned to be an annual event. Devil's Den is the site of a major vulture roost. Spend the day at the park learning all about these vital components of its ecosystem. Highlights include an afternoon vulture viewing session and an appearance by Igor the Turkey Vulture.

This will be the first of this year's special events at Devil's Den celebrating the 75th anniversary of Arkansas State Parks. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-761-3325 and visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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The 4th annual Chocolate Festival is set for Feb. 16 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. Festival highlights will include chocolate fountains, tastings, wine, gifts for lovers, souvenir photos and T-shirts, professional and amateur contests with cash prizes and a silent auction. Festivities will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for ages 12 and under. For more information, phone 479-253-7888 or visit www.eurekachocfest.com.

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The 9th Annual South Arkansas Kennel Club Dog Shows takes place Feb. 16-17 at Highlands Airport Facilities in Camden. Over 800 dogs attended last year’s shows. The weekend follows the Westminster Dog Shows in New York which is shown on USA Network. Several of the same exhibitors attend these shows. Last year's entries represented 30 states. Call 870-836-7297 or visit www.arkansasdogs.com for more information.

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February 16 -17 marks Frontier Days at the Five Trails Rendezvous at Historic Washington State Park in Washington. Travel back in time to a festive pioneer atmosphere. Walk through a frontier encampment and learn about survival skills used by early Arkansas settlers. Watch re-enactors demonstrate tomahawk throwing, use of muzzle loading rifles and more. The event is co-sponsored by the Early Arkansas Re-enactor Association. For more details phone 870-983-2684 or visit www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com

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Warfield Concerts in Helena-West Helena presents a concert by Jane Gamble, organist-choirmaster of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Memphis, on Feb. 17 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Historic Downtown Helena. Gamble, a talented and accomplished performer, is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists. For more information, visit the Warfield Concerts Web site at www.warfieldconcerts.com

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"The Evolution of a Baseball Franchise" will be the noon program on Feb. 20 at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. The speaker will be Eric Edelstein, general manager of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The Naturals is a new minor league baseball team based in Springdale.

The team is a member of the Texas League, and will serve as the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals’ season consists of a 140 game schedule, with 70 home games and 70 road games, and is five months long, beginning in early April and finishing Labor Day weekend. Typical game times are 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Special event game times will occur at various times throughout the season. The stadium is centrally located off of Interstate 540 at the southwest corner of 56th and Watkins. 479-927-4900. www.nwanaturals.com.

For more information about the free museum program, phone 479-750-8165 and visit www.springdaleark.org/shiloh.

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From Feb. 22 to 24, visitors will be able to discover that "Gardening is Healthy" at the 17th annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. The Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock is the locale for the events which include 10 landscaped gardens, over 100 garden-related vendors, a flower show, a floral competition, a wide variety of notable speakers, a tea room (reservations required) and a family exhibit. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5 for senior citizens age 60 and over, $1 for ages 6-12; under age 6 are admitted free. A three-day pass is $10. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Contact Nancy Leonhardt by calling 501-821-4000 or e-mailing [email protected] for additional information. A complete schedule can be found on www.arflowerandgardenshow.org.

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Grab your coat and hat and join the staff of Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan as they host a Birding Lake Tour on Feb. 23. Spend the morning on Lake Charles searching for the feathered creatures that call the area home. Don’t forget your binoculars. For more information, phone 870-878-6595 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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The Blanchard Photo Tour will take place Feb. 24 at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View. This is an annual, special opportunity to photograph the upper level of the caverns. Tours are limited to the first 10 people who return advance payment. Tours meet at the Visitor Center at noon and photograph for four hours. Tripods welcome; but, it is not an instructional tour. A light sweater or jacket is recommended.

Admission is $20 per person and tours are by reservation only. Phone 870-757-2211 and visit www.blanchardcavetours.com.

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Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin will host their annual Black History Month School Days on Feb. 27-29. Students and teachers will experience the everyday life of children who attended the Northern Ohio School, including their chores, discipline and school life. Reservations are recommended. To find out more, call Parkin Archeological State Park at 870-755-2500 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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Whether interested in activities on land or in water, the Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV Show Feb. 29-Mar. 2 in Hot Springs is the shopping destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Exhibitors fill over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Hot Springs Convention Center & Summit Arena with hundreds of boats, RVs and specialty booths filled with marine accessories and travel destinations. Times are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, phone 501-225-6177.