Travelin’ Arkansas: Events Taking Place During June

Note to Print and Broadcast Editors: 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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June 1-14 marks the 13th annual Hot Springs Music Festival in Hot Springs. For two weeks every June, the Spa City overflows with music as 200 international mentor and apprentice musicians converge to create 20 live concerts and more than 250 open rehearsals of symphony orchestra, chamber music and music theater in the city’s downtown historic district. For more information, call 501-623-4763 or e-mail festival@hotmusic.org.

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The town of Des Arc will celebrate life on the White River during its annual Steamboat Days festival, June 4-7. A free gospel concert in the park featuring The Needhams from Nashville, Tenn. opens the event on Wednesday. Activities for the rest of the event include the Miss Steamboat pageant, arts, crafts, food vendors, a motorcycle poker run and a crawfish eating contest. Other events happening include a carnival, street dances, free entertainment and a huge fireworks display on Saturday evening. There will also be children’s activities and cook-offs. Contact T.J. Nelson, festival director, at 870-256-5289 or visit www.steamboatdays.net for more information.

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The 8th annual Art of Wine Festival is set for June 5-7 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. More than 600 wines from around the world will be available for tasting. Area restaurants provide food.
 
New this year, the The Winemaker’s Dinner will be at 6 p.m. on June 5 at James at the Mill in Johnson. Haute cuisine will be prepared by Chef Miles James and a special guest winemaker will guide participants through carefully crafted wine pairings. The tasting events will be at 6 p.m. on June 6 and 7, and the Wine Lover’s Brunch will be at 11 a.m. on June 7, all at the Walton Arts Center. For more information or tickets, phone 479-443-5600 or visit www.waltonartscenter.org.

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The 9th annual Art in the Park festival will be June 6-7 in Bull Shoals City Park. Festivities will include artisans and crafters selling their wares. There will also be demonstrations and entertainment each day. For more information, call Dianna at 870-445-4302 or e-mail tower@southshore.com.

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Newport will host the 27th Annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival on June 6-7. The festival features events for the entire family, including a carnival area, a buddy bass tournament, the Arkansas State Catfish Cooking Contest, arts and crafts and a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday night. Live music is a highlight of the festival and will feature John Anderson, Darryl Worley and Vince Neil. To find out more, contact the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-523-3618 or visit www.NewportARChamber.org

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The 19th annual Valley Fest will be June 6-7 at Old Post Road Park in Russellville. Activities will include a barbecue contest, arts and crafts, food vendors, carnival rides, carnival midway, bingo and fishing derby. There will also be competitions for slam dunking a basketball, 3 on 3 basketball, volleyball, softball, horseshoes, tennis, 5K run, bike races, car show and River Valley Idol. For more information, phone 479-968-7819 or visit www.valley-fest.org.

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The annual Shirley Homecoming event will be June 6-7 in the city’s downtown. Homecoming events include a street dance and rodeo both nights, children’s games, parade, Luckey Duckey Regatta, crafts and food vendors. For more information, phone 501-723-4462. 

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West Little Rock will be alive with music on June 7 for the Pinnacle of Music Festival to be held at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. From 9 a.m. to noon there will be performances by individuals and groups from around the city and state. In the afternoon local, national and international blues artists will be on stage from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests include Michael Burks and Big Mike Griffin. In addition to all the music, there will be food vendors, children’s activities and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Admission is free; there will be a $5 parking fee. Events will be held in the picnic area. For more information, contact the park at 501-868-5806 or pinnaclemountain@arkansas.com. Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road.

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The Randolph County Heritage Museum in Pocahontas will host the Ozark Foothills Button Show on June 7. A display of buttons dating from the pre-Civil War era to modern times will be featured and button collectors are invited to display and trade their buttons. To learn more, contact the Randolph County Heritage Museum at 870-892-4056 or visit www.RandolphCoMuseum.org.

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The Delta Cultural Center will host the 3rd annual Mother’s Best Music Fest on June 7 in historic downtown Helena. The event begins at noon and will feature an afternoon and evening of live musical performances. Scheduled performers include Michael Powers, Lonnie Shields, Dave Riley and Sam Carr, James Morgan, C.W. Gatlin and Phillip Stackhouse. For more information, visit www.DeltaCulturalCenter.com or phone the museum at 800-358-0972.

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Bikers and car enthusiasts looking for a day of fun and an opportunity to help others should check out Cars & Cycles Against Cancer in Blytheville on June 7. Ride registration begins at 8 a.m. in Walker Park. Awards will be given for the best of show in the Harley class, the tour class and for all-around motorcycle. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. To learn more, phone 870-762-7184.

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The Little Rock Wind Symphony invites visitors to celebrate Flag Day by attending “A Stars and Stripes Celebration” on Saturday, June 7. (Rain date is Sunday, June 8.) The 7 p.m. concert will be held at MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock and will be hosted by the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. Some of the selections to be performed in this annual salute to the red, white and blue include "March from '1941'" by Williams/Lavender; "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" by Smith; "The Bridge-Elect March" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by Sousa; Anderson’s "Bugler's Holiday," plus "Selections from 'The Sound of Music'" by Rogers and Hammerstein and an "Armed Forces Salute" arranged by Lowden. Attendees are encouraged to bring the kids and picnic baskets and make an evening of it. There will be free ice cream. The park is located at 503 East Ninth Street. Call 501-666-0777 or e-mail info@lrwindsymphony.org for additional information.

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The 3rd annual XTERRA Eureka Springs Off-Road Triathlon and Trail Run will be June 7 at Lake Leatherwood City Park in Eureka Springs. The race consists of a .5-mile swim, 13-mile mountain bike ride and 5-mile trail run. In addition, a 3.5 mile trail run will take place in the morning before the start of the triathlon. For more information, phone 479-244-5775 or visit www.eurekaspringsoffroadtriathlon.com.

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The annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at Withrow Springs State Park in Huntsville will be June 7. Anglers ages 1 to 15 may fish and prizes will be awarded by age group with door prizes given throughout the tournament. Participants should bring their own bait, tackle, stringer and cooler. Parents may help, but the kids must do their own fishing. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-559-2593 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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A Hillbilly Bike Show & Pig Roast will be June 7 on the Ozark downtown square. A roast pig will be on site with a catered meal of the pig sold for $5 a plate. Motorcycles of all kinds – domestic, sport, foreign, ugly, shiny – will compete for trophies. There will also be bike games and vendors selling their wares. For more information, phone 479-.209-1681.

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Relive some of the social activities that were a part of plantation life on June 7 as Scott Connections holds its annual Spring Dinner. The function will be held on the Rob Bell Plantation on Ark. 161 South in Scott. Events include boat rides on Old River Lake, a silent auction and a dinner. Tickets are $60 with proceeds benefiting the on-going projects at Scott Plantation Settlement.

The settlement illustrates the history of the community through a collection of historic buildings that would have been found on local plantations. Some of these include an 1840s log cabin, a one-room school, a corn crib, several tenant houses, a wash house, a smoke house and a blacksmith shop. Others include the restoration of the Scott train station (now the Stella Boyle Smith Orientation Center), a plantation owner’s home (“The Big House” built in 1882), a plantation office and a new split rail fence. Camille Bennett can provide more information at 501-351-5737. For details on and history of the settlement, visit www.scottconnections.org.

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The Fort Smith National Historic Site will offer children’s hands-on workshops on June 9, 14 and 28 in Fort Smith. For ages 5 and up, the program will explore the history of early Fort Smith. While designed to be fun for kids, it is also educational and ties into Arkansas’s state curriculum frameworks and standards. Admission is free. For information and reservations, phone 479-783-3961.

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Beginning June 10, the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart will host its 20th annual Children’s Fun Summer Programs. The educational programs will be held each Tuesday through July 15 and feature a range of topics including Native Americans and life for children at the turn of the 20th century. For more information, call 870-673-7001.

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The 50th annual Car Show, Swap Meet and Sale will be June 10-14 on the tree-shaded grounds of The Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. More than 1,500 spaces will be filled with cars, parts, memorabilia, books, antiques, toys and arts and crafts. The antique car show judging will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday. For more information, phone 501-727-5427 or visit www.motaa.com.

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The 66th annual Johnson County Peach Festival will be June 12-15 on the Clarksville town square. Activities will include a terrapin derby, frog jump, peach jam, jelly and cobbler bake-off, street dance, parade, diaper derby, craft booths, concession stands, peach pit spitting contest, water balloon toss, fiddling contest, egg toss, bicycle obstacle course, horseshoe pitching contest, Princess Elberta pageant and Miss Arkansas preliminary pageants. For more information, phone 479-754-9152 or visit www.jocopeachfestival.8m.com.

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War Birds Over Arkansas, presented by the Dawn Patrol Squadron, is set for June 12-15 at Hammer Field in Eureka Springs. Flying will be any scale radio-controlled World War I, World War II, Golden Era and vintage aircraft to 1945. World War I aircraft will participate in dawn patrol each morning from dawn until 8 a.m. Each era plane will be called in rotation to fly with its respective types.

Hammer Field, a 10-acre flying site located on a 300-acre ranch, is located about 2.5 miles north of Ark. 62 east on Onyx Cave Road. For more information, phone 866-947-4387 or visit www.dawnpatrolsquadron.com.

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Family friendly, professional theatrical productions are slated for June 12-29 at the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre Festival in Conway. The plays will be at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is a repertory group of artists and Arkansas college student interns who interpret the works of The Bard. Shakespearian productions this year include "Romeo and Juliet," the most famous and tragic romance of all time and "The Tempest," his final play which offers sorcery, romance, comedy and poetry. Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic "The Sound of Music" is the non-Shakespearian production on the schedule. A special play just for kids, especially for ages 3-10, "The Arkansaw Bear" will be performed June 21. Back-stage tours along with question-and-answer sessions with the actors are scheduled after every performance. Ticket prices are $25 for all presentations except for "The Arkansaw Bear." Tickets for it are $5 and all can be ordered online at www.arkshakes.com/. For more details, call 501-269-4815 or e-mail mchiorini@uca.edu.

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Beatlegras, a Texas trio just back from tour dates in Ireland, will play at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium at 8 p.m. on June 13. The trio shakes up Beatles music with infusions of bluegrass and jazz, topped off with a classical twist. To hear and see Beatlegras, go to www.beatlegras.com. Tickets for Beatlegras are $25 and available at www.theaud.org. For more information call 479-253-7788.

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The 52nd annual Pink Tomato Festival takes place June 13-14 in downtown Warren on the square. There will be a 5K run/walk, arts and crafts, a street dance, a tomato eating contest, kids land, free entertainment on the square, and the All Tomato Luncheon Car Show. Warren is the county seat and home of the Arkansas Tomato Market. The event was the 2006 Arkansas Festival Association's Festival of the Year. For more information, call 870-226-5225.

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Ribs, Rides, Rhythm & More is set for June 13-14 at the South Logan County Fairgrounds in Booneville. This is a Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned barbecue cook-off event. There will also be a Backyard Amateur BBQ Competition, poker run, games and more. For more information, phone 479-675-2666 or visit www.booneville.com.

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The 28th annual Craftsfest is set for June 13-14 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. The event will include a juried craft show for non-commercial crafters to show and sell their unique handcrafted items. Concessions will be available. Admission is free. For more information, phone 870-424-5710.

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Night Court will be held June 13-14 at the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith. Park staff and volunteers will present a re-enactment of a trial heard by Judge Issac Parker, federal judge for the Western District of Arkansas from 1875 to 1896. The evening event will take place in the historic courtroom. 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. For more information, phone 479-783-3961 or go to www.nps.gov/fosm.

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The 23rd annual Ice Cream Social on the historic downtown square in Berryville will be June 13-14. The event will include arts and crafts booths, food vendors, fishing, soap box derby and 5K run. Admission is free. For more information, phone 870-423-3704 or visit www.hbeark.com.

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The 32nd annual Farmfest Weekend will be held in Wynne on June 13-14. The weekend features live entertainment, a carnival, a climbing wall, arts and crafts, a giant slide and a variety of food. The event is held on the Knights of Columbus Hall grounds, located on St. Peter’s Road in Wynne. Enjoy two days of food, fun and entertainment for the entire family. For more information, contact the Cross County Chamber of Commerce at 870-238-4183 or visit their Web site at http://crosscountychamber.com.

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The 51st annual Lions Club Rodeo will be held in Calico Rock on June 13-14. All rodeo events will be held at the Tip Wiseman Rodeo Arena and will begin at 8 p.m. The 51st annual Lions Club Rodeo Parade will be June 14 and features the theme “How the West was Won.” On June 28, the Chamber of Commerce Kayak Race will be held on the White River. For details on these events, contact the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce at 870-297-4129 or visit www.CalicoRock.us.

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The 10th annual Turpentine Creek Native American Pow Wow will be June 13-15 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. Set for Father’s Day weekend, festivities will include color guard, drumming, dancing, craft booths, wildlife exhibits and concessions. For more information, phone 479-253-3790 or visit the Web site www.turpentinecreek.org.

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The Eureka Springs Miata Weekend will be June 13-15 at the Best Western Eureka Inn. Registration includes: event information, drive route maps, goodie bag and an event T-shirt. The event is free to spectators. For more information, phone 866-947-4387 or go online www.miatasateureka.com.

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Bat-O-Rama XIX will be June 13-15 at Devil’s Den State Park near West Fork. The event is one of the most popular special events in the Arkansas State Parks system, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. All programs that weekend will be dedicated to one of nature’s least understood mammals, the bat. The schedule includes audio/visual programs, a bat house building demonstration and crevice hike. For more information, phone 479-761-3325.

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Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin will host a Navajo Sand Painting Workshop on June 14. Sand painting has been a part of the Navajo culture for centuries. Navajo artisan Genny Sadler will teach the workshop. On June 28, the park will offer a Turn of the Century Craft Day. Participants will learn the history and basic techniques of cross-stitch and crochet, two of the crafts pioneer women favored. Space is limited for both events. To get more information, phone Parkin Archeological State Park at 870-755-2500 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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Van Buren’s annual Old Town Bike Show is set for June 14 on its historic Main Street. Festivities will include motorcycle rally, games, door prizes and vendors. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-474-0332 or go online to www.vanburen.org.

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The 135th annual Southern Memorial Day set for June 14 at the Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville is an annual memorial service for the more than 600 Confederate soldiers who rest there. The service will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and includes a guest speaker, music, gun salute and placement of flowers at the monument. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-824-3910 or visit www.rootsweb.com/~arsma/index.html.

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Eureka Shows Off Her Bloomers, an old-fashioned garden tour, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 14. The self-paced walking tour is presented by the Eureka Springs Preservation Society. It includes several gardens originally designed by Glen Wallis, the creative force behind the revitalization of Eureka Springs’ parks in the 1980s. A Victorian home interior will also be featured as well as works by local artists, sculptors and craftsmen.

Attendees will also receive gardening tips from experts DonE Allen and Steven Foster. Allen, Eureka's artistic city gardener, will share his knowledge of Eureka's public springs and gardens. Foster, author of 15 botanical books, including National Geographic’s award-winning Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine (2006), will speak on herbal topics, answer questions, and be available to autograph his books.

The tour features homes in Eureka Springs’ downtown historical district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society will have a garden railroad running for kids of all ages. Organizers suggest that visitors using the trolley for transportation take the red route and depart at stops 91, 92 or 93.

Adult admission is $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the tour. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available through the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-6EUREKA, and the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, 479-253-9417. Day-of tickets will be available at those outlets as well as St. Elizabeth Church and St. James Church. For more information call Dee Bright at 479-253-9582.

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The 14th annual Street Rod & Custom Car Show will be June 14 at Pine Mountain Village in Eureka Springs. Festivities will include the show, parade, music, games and other family activities. Admission is free. For more information, phone 479-981-0257 or visit www.eurekasprings.org.

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The Lucky 13 Outdoor Cinema in Eureka Springs will begin its 2008 season on June 15 with a Father’s Day double feature of the “Wizard of Oz” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon.” The films are shown on an outdoor screen in a downtown parking lot in Eureka Springs. Movie-goers bring their own seating. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at dusk. Entertainment, contests and prizes for best costume and them participation occur before each movie.

The schedule for the rest of the summer will be "The Golden Compass" on June 22, "June" on June 29, "Horton Hears a Who" on July 6, "Really Bad 'B' Movie Night" on July 13 with a double feature of "Viva Las Vegas" and "Queen From Outer Space," "Spiderwick Chronicles" on July 20, "Gone With the Wind" on July 27 and "Ratatouille" on Aug. 31.

Some lodging establishments offer discount packages that include movie tickets, which are $3 at the door. For more information, phone 866-947-4387 and visit www.lucky13cinema.org.

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The 38th annual Oil Town Festival takes place in Smackover at Tennyson Park June 18-21. There will be free concerts each night, arts and crafts, food, a rib cook-off, a 5K Oil Run, and other events. For more information, contact the Smackover Chamber of Commerce at 870-725-3521.

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The Solar Splash World Championships will be June 18-22 at Lake Fayetteville in Fayetteville. The event is the world championship of solar/electric boating. An international intercollegiate competition, technical inspections are done on the first day and the remainder of the time is occupied by five on-the-water competitive events. For more information, phone 479-521-5776 or go online to www.experiencefayetteville.com.

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The 2008 H.O.G. Rally will be June 19-21 in various downtown venues of Fort Smith. This is an Arkansas State Harley Owners Group Rally with all-day events each day, including a poker run, bike games and parade. For more information, phone 479-890-6241 or visit www.arstatehogrally.com.

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The 12th annual Mt. Magazine International Butterfly Festival will be June 20-21 at Mt. Magazine State Park and in the City of Paris. Festivities on the square in Paris will include arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities and a pageant. Atop Mt. Magazine, immerse yourself in the habitat of more than 86 different butterfly species that live on or migrate over Mount Magazine throughout the year. The event includes activities for butterfly lovers of all ages and levels of experience. Guest speakers and park interpreters lead walks and talks exploring butterfly biology and gardening. Children of all ages will enjoy the popular Bug Bonanza Pavilion, which includes live insects, games, and make-and-take crafts. Don't miss the special concert Saturday night that closes out this natural festival.

A session on Butterfly Photography will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on June 20 at the park visitor center. Practical photography tips will be provided by Don Simons, "Arkansas Butterflies and Moths" photographer.

For more information, phone 479-963-8502 or visit www.butterflyfestival.com and www.parisaronline.com.

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The 18th annual Riverfront Blues Festival will be June 20-21 at Fort Smith River Front Park. Playing on Friday, June 20 will be the Bel Airs, Ruthie Foster and Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials. Performing on Saturday, June 21 will be Seth Freeman, Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes, Greystreet, Larry McCray, Ana Popovic and Jonny Lang. For more information, phone 479-573-1345 or visit www.riverfrontbluesfest.org.

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The Opera in the Ozarks opera season will be June 20-July 18 at Inspiration Point in Eureka Springs. The schedule for the 2008 season will see performances of "Cosi Fan Tutte" by W. A. Mozart, "La Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini, and "The Mikado" by Gilbert and Sullivan. For more information, phone 479-253-8595 and visit www.opera.org.

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Commemorate the arrival of summer Native American-style with an array of outdoor family activities on June 20 during the Summer Solstice Celebration. The event will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park in Scott. Hands-on events include using primitive-style weapons and partaking in games played by American Indian tribes. Visitors will be able to create and take home a pinch pot, an arrowhead necklace and other native crafts. At 6 p.m. the park’s resident archeologist will discuss the alignment of the mounds with the summer solstice sunset. A special guided sunset tour of the prehistoric mound site will follow at 7 p.m. The evening will end with a viewing of the sunset over Mound B. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children. Contact the park at 501-961-9442 or by e-mail at toltecmounds@arkansas.com for more information. Toltec Mounds is located at 490 Toltec Mounds Road in Scott, approximately 20 miles southeast of Little Rock.

As of November 2022, Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park has been renamed Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park. For more information, click here.

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Woolly Hollow State Park at Greenbrier is going to have a day of old-fashioned games and contests on June 20. For 25 years the park has been holding an annual Fun Day featuring such activities as sack races, paddleboat races, watermelon seed spitting contests, and a water balloon toss. In addition to all the contests, there will be no charge for swimming or paddle boat rental. A detailed schedule can be obtained from the park by calling 501-679-2098 or e-mailing woollyhollow@arkansas.com. Woolly Hollow is located at 82 Woolly Hollow State Park Road off U.S. 65.

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Celebrate our country’s freedom during the 10th annual Freedom Fest in West Memphis on June 20-21. The festival features live music, a patriotic parade, games for children and a “Better-Than-Betty” Bake-Off. For more information, contact the West Memphis Advertising and Promotion Commission at 870-732-7598 or visit www.westmemphis.org.

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Bootlegger Daze will be held in Calico Rock on June 20-21. The two-day event features historic trolley tours, arts and crafts, a street dance, a farmers’ market, lawn mower race, a pig roast, a kids’ fishing derby and live music. To learn more, phone 870-291-8899 or visit www.CalicoRocket.org.

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Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring will host the 7th annual Knap-In on June 20-21. Participants will learn more about knapping, the primitive art of making and using stone tools and arrowheads. For more details, contact Mammoth Spring State Park at 870-625-7364 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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Hardy will host the 18th annual Homesteaders Day on June 21. The event celebrates the pioneers of the early 1900s. See how our forefathers lived with demonstrations on weaving, spinning, quilting, blacksmithing, treasure hunts, corn grinding, butter churning and doll making. Enjoy live music and wagon rides throughout the day. For more information, contact Main Street Hardy at 870-856-3811 or visit www.oldhardytown.com.

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Old Davidsonville State Park in Pocahontas will host the Eleven Point River Canoe Float on June 21. The six-hour float will feature swift and clear water and some of the most spectacular scenery Randolph County has to offer. To call and book a canoe or for more information, phone 870-892-4708 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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June 21 marks the 25th annual John Huddleston Day at Crater of Diamonds State Park. This Murfressboro event celebrates the discovery of the first diamonds in Pike County in 1906 by John Huddleston. Family oriented activities include a treasure hunt and games for visitors of all ages, with numerous prizes to be awarded. Contact the park at 870-285-3113 for a detailed schedule.

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The Siloam Springs Heritage Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 21 at Twin Springs Park in Siloam Springs. This celebration of history, community and Ozark culture will include bluegrass, gospel and country western music throughout the day. Clogging, vendors with traditional wares, crafts demonstrators, parade, quilt show, walking tour, food vendors, living history re-enactors portraying colonial, Civil War, and fur traders will also be part of the festivities. For more information, phone 479-524-4011 and visit www.siloamspringsheritagefestival.org.

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Spinning and lace making demonstrations will be offered from 1 p.m. to 4 pm. on June 22 at Hindman Hall at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove. See members of the local Wool and Wheel Handspinners Guild and Dogwood Lace groups demonstrate the ancient art of spinning thread, and discuss the basics of making cloth in the Arkansas Ozarks. For more information, phone 479-846-2990.

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Lake Frierson State Park in Jonesboro will host Adventure Day Camp on June 25-27. For ages 9 – 12, the camp features educational programs, crafts, games, horseback riding and recreational activities. Pre-registration is required and the camp is limited to 10 participants. To learn more, phone 870-932-2615 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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Execution Anniversary Programs will be held at the Fort Smith National Historic Site on June 26, 28, 29 and 30. Ranger-led programs are held at the reconstructed gallows on the anniversary dates of executions carried out by the federal court from 1873-1896. Information about the condemned individuals will be discussed: their crimes, court case, and execution. For more information, phone 479-783-3961 or visit www.nps.gov/fosm.

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The 20th annual Great Arkansas Pig Out will be June 27-28 in the Morrilton city park. Festivities will include games, contests, sports, food, top country entertainment and local talent plus the famous pig chase for kids. Admission is free. For more information, phone 501-354-5400 or visit www.pigout.info.

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A workshop on copper enameling will be offered June 27-28 at the Ozark Folk Center Sate Park in Mountain View. Artist L.J. Smole will instruct participants in the techniques of dusting, cloisonné, stenciling and sgraffito to make pendants, earrings, small dishes, bowls and other more. Space is limited and reservations are required. To learn more about other In-Season Folk School workshops, visit www.OzarkFolkCenter.com or phone 870-269-3851.

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Lowell Mudtown Days will be June 27-28 in McClure Park. The event celebrates the town’s history with food, games, car shows and other activities. For more information, phone 479-770-2185 or visit www.lowellarkansas.gov.

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The Ozark Mountain Region Ride 4 Cash will be June 27-28 featuring a spectacular poker run through the mountains and a $5,000 prize. There's a different ride each day, trade show booths, Show & Shine, and more in and around Lake Harrison Park in Harrison. Cookin' on the Creek BBQ Championship will be held during the Ride 4 Cash weekend. For more information, go online to www.Ride4cash.com.

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The 11th annual Buffalo River Elk Festival is set for June 27-28 at the courthouse square in Jasper. This major event celebrates Newton County's title of "Elk Capital of Arkansas." Activities will include quality artists, crafters, other vendors showcasing their wares as well as nature seminars, wildlife displays, fishing derby, lots of kids' activities, great entertainment, fireworks display and the famous elk permit drawings. For more information, phone 870-446-2455 or go online to www.theozarkmountains.com.

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The Arkansas River will be the place to be June 27-29 for bass fisherman because the 9th annual Big Bass Bonanza will take place. Five pools -- Fort Smith, Russellville, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Dumas -- along more than 300 miles of the river will be utilized for the competition. Approximately $300,000 in prize money will be up for grabs with a top award of $100,000. Over 2,000 anglers took part in the 2007 event and sponsors are expecting even more this year. Those interested in participating must register and can do so online until June 24.  A list of registration locations around the state can also be found online at www.ArkansasBigBass.com. The Big Bass Bonanza is sponsored by the Arkansas Hospitality Association. For more information call 501-376-2323 or e-mail AHA@arhospitality.org.

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There will be Lights Over the Lake on Saturday, June 28 in Conway as the Conway Symphony Orchestra presents its annual gift to the community. The 7 p.m. event will be held on the shores of Beaverfork Lake. Starting with a rousing opening act, the evening includes remarks from local dignitaries, an Armed Forces Salute and the Presentation of the Colors for the National Anthem. The spirited music scheduled includes plenty of patriotic and popular favorites. The evening ends with hundreds of fireworks lighting up the night sky. The Conway Symphony Orchestra has more information at 501-269-1066 or symphony@conwaycorp.net.

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Beat the heat of summer at Hardy’s Old Time Picnic Water Fun on June 28 at Loberg Park. The fun-filled day will feature water slides, dunking booths, water balloon toss, cold lemonade, live music and food. To learn more, call 870-856-3811.

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The Black River Overlook Park in Pocahontas is the setting for the Arts in the Park Festival on June 28-29. Local and regional artists and crafters are the center of the event, which also features a juried art competition, food, and entertainment. To find out more, phone 870-248-0551 or visit www.artsyangels.net.