Travelin’ Arkansas: Events Taking Place During October

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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Helena-West Helena will be the scene of the 21st Annual Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival Oct. 5-7 on Historic Cherry Street near the banks of the Mississippi River. Previously known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival, thousands of fans make an annual pilgrimage to the land of the Delta Blues to celebrate the musical art form.

The festival is known as the largest free blues festival in the nation as well as one of the most respected. Four stages, three days, and 78 performers will carry out this living celebration to the blues.

For more information, contact the Sonny Boy Blues Society, which works year-round on educational programs, live music events, the festival and programs that preserve the heritage of the blues, at (870) 338-8798 or visit www.bluesandheritage.com

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The Southern Council Federation of Flyfishers Conclave will be Oct. 5-8 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. The annual conclave, the federation’s premier event, offers on-stream workshops, casting clinics, tying clinics, seminars, youth conclave, vendors, auctions and prize drawings.

Activities will take place Oct. 5-7 with a business meeting on Oct. 8. For more information, phone (877) 664-4401 or visit www.southerncouncilfff.org. Admission varies depending on membership.

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Corvette enthusiasts across the Midwest and beyond will gather in Eureka Springs Oct. 5-8 for the 16th annual Eureka Springs Corvette Weekend.

The event is based at Pine Mountain Village. There are no competitions. The cars are on show with time for attendees to enjoy driving the scenic roads of the area. Corvettes – modified, restored, original or daily driven – from all makes and years are welcome.

For more information, visit www.eurekaspringscorvette.org. Admission is free.

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Ride the Fort Smith trolley through the historic district and hear all the skeletons in the closets rattle and graves take on new life as a narrator relates ghost stories and tales of murder and mayhem Oct. 5-28 at the Fort Smith Museum of History. The Murder & Mayhem Trolley event runs at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in October. Trolley tickets are $10 per person, and may be bought in advance. Tickets sell out very rapidly.

This event earned a coveted Henry Award at the 2005 Governor's Conference on Tourism. For more information or to reserve tickets, phone (479) 783-7841 or visit www.fortsmithmuseum.com.

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The Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock pays homage to three Arkansas women photographers of note with the “Arkansas Artists: Nancy Nolan, Maxine Payne and Kat Wilson” exhibit, Oct. 5-Jan. 21.

The exhibit’s subject matter is ad diverse as the women who captured the images. Nancy Nolan is widely known for her up close and personal portraits of celebrities like Jermain Taylor, Bill Clinton and Billy Bob Thornton. Illustrating the rural Arkansas lifestyle through documentary-style black-and-white photography is Maxine Payne’s specialty. And Kat Wilson deftly poses both everyday and exotic household furnishings with her subjects as she captures them on film. Admission is free. Contact Ellen Korenblat at (501) 324-9351 or info@historicarkansas.org for more details. The museum is located at 200 East Third. Check www.historicarkansas.org for additional information on the museum and the exhibit.

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The 19th annual MusicFest will take place in downtown El Dorado Oct. 6-7. Four stages with more than 30 bands will be highlighted at the festival along with a magician, arts and crafts, food and beverage tents, a Kid’s World set up, 5K run/walk, motorcycle ride and chicken grill-off.

Headliners include the classic Charlie Daniels Band, known for songs such as "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which is among a music catalog that spans more than 35 years. Guitarist and vocalist Michael Burks, one of the blues world’s fastest rising stars as well as rock and roll pianist Jason D. Williams also headline the event. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 7-13. Children 6 and under get in free.

For further details, call (870) 862-4747 or log on to www.musicfesteldorado.com

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The 32nd Annual Arkansas Oktoberfest will take place Oct. 6-7 in historic downtown Hot Springs. The German-themed festival attracts thousands of people to the city each October. Musicians and artists bring both culture and entertainment -- traditional German music and many other genres will also be represented. There will be arts and crafts on hand and traditional food and dancing. Admission to the event is $5.

For more information call Amanda Bryant at (501) 321-1700, e-mail her at Amanda@hotspringschamber.com or visit www.hotspringschamber.com.

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Harrison’s largest festival is the 22nd annual Harvest Homecoming, set this year for Oct. 6-7. The event transforms the National Historic District in downtown Harrison into a vision of the past, complete with working craftsmen. Set up downtown are arts and crafts booths, live music and great food venues. Numerous activities will be available for children. The festival also includes an art show, street dance, skateboard competition, Rusty Wheels Antique Tractor exhibit, scarecrow decorating contest, Ford Mustang and Open Car Show and the annual book sale at the Boone County Library.

Harvest Homecoming takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Specific times for events and names of entertainers will be posted on www.mainstreetharrison.org. Admission is free. For more information, call (870) 741-4889.

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Celebrate the bounty of apples in Lincoln with three days of family entertainment during the 31st annual Arkansas Apple Festival on Oct. 6-8 on the town square.

A centerpiece of the festival is more than 100 artisans and crafters displaying their wares. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 will be the annual parade featuring bands, floats, antique tractors, classic cars and clowns. Live music, including gospel, is offered throughout the event. The Kid’s World provides fun for children. Attendees will also find an abundance of free apple slices and apple cider.

Admission is free. For more information, phone (479) 824-3378 or visit www.ArkansasAppleFestival.org.

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The 27th annual Frontier Day will take place Oct. 7 in downtown Paris.

Activities will include a parade, car show, live music, pageant and arts and crafts. In keeping with the frontier theme, there will be a log sawing contest and nail driving contest.

Admission is free. For more information, phone (479) 963-2244 or visit www.parisonline.com.

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Visitors and residents alike will be able to learn easy and productive ways to keep The Natural State natural at the Natural State Expo 2006 on Oct. 7. Hours for the event, which is being held in the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock, are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Governor’s Hall I. The expo is sponsored by the Arkansas Sustainability Network, a new non-profit organization whose mission is to empower Arkansans to pursue and achieve sustainability.

Approximately 50 exhibitors of eco-friendly products and services will showcase their programs, a multimedia community education area will consist of informative panels and discussions on such sustainability topics as food, water, energy, shelter, and community, while the youth expo will have fun and educational activities to encourage future generations to “think green.” Admission is $1. More information is available from Kathryn Elliott at (501) 837-7959 or naturalstateexpo@yahoo.com. Check the Web site for a list of activities.

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Jacksonville will have a full weekend of events Oct. 7 and 8 as the 9th Annual Wing Ding Festival and 34th Annual Central Arkansas Gem and Mineral Show take place. October 7 brings Wing Ding events from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dupree Park. There will be plenty of family oriented events, food and entertainment along with free admission and parking. Contact the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce at (501) 982-1511 or jaxevents@centurytel.net for a schedule of activities.

The Jacksonville Community Center will be the location of the Gem and Mineral Show, Oct. 7 and 8. Dealers from across the United States will show, sell and exhibit minerals, fossils, beads, lapidary materials, and jewelry from around the world. Admission is $2. Pat Kissire can provide additional details at pkissire@sbcglobal.net or (501) 821-2346.

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The small central Arkansas community of Keo will hold its Fall Days celebration Oct. 7. This old-fashioned day of sun for families include sales by downtown merchants, crafts, music and games for children. There will be a luncheon of beans and cornbread, displays of antique tractors and automobiles, and a tour of historic homes. A pecan cooking contest will be open to all ages. Admission is free. Keo City Hall has more details at (501) 842-0100 or check www.keoar.com.

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The 4th Annual White River NWR Festival will take place October 7th in St. Charles at the White River NWR Visitor Center. The free event begins at 10 a.m. with children’s activities that include birdhouse building, bird feeder making, T-shirt printing and button making. There will be free boat tours offered on the hour from 10-2 p.m. There will also be wildlife programs, photographic sessions, and guided walks throughout the day. Refreshments, books, and gift items will also be available.

The 10,000-square-foot White River NWR Visitor Center houses an auditorium, environmental education classroom, an exhibit hall, and the Friends of White River Bookstore. It features a 28-foot cypress tree that houses representations of native fauna, including two bear families. Interpretive displays educate visitors about the human and ecological histories of the area, the hydrology of the White River and the bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem.

For further details, call (870) 282-8200 or e-mail friends_whiteriver@yahoo.com.

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Little Rock’s historic Mount Holly Cemetery will be the site once again of the annual "Tales of the Crypt" on Oct. 10, presented by Parkview Arts-Science Magnet High School. Come meet the “ghosts” of Arkansans as students dressed in costume present vignettes from Arkansas history. Two candlelight tours featuring eight gravesites are offered and begin at 5:30 p.m. This free event is sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Holly Cemetery Association and Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School. Fred Boosey at Parkview can provide additional information at (501) 447-2362 or fred.boosey@lrsd.org.

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The 59th annual Original Ozark Folk Festival is set for Oct. 12-14 in Eureka Springs. The festival will open with a roar…of laughter when the Smothers Brothers take the stage at The Auditorium on Thursday, October 12. The contributions Tom and Dick have made to the entertainment world throughout their careers are so highly respected that the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City has produced a retrospective and seminar on their work, an honor not lightly accorded. On the other coast, Hollywood ceremoniously honored them with one of its most valuable awards: a star on the noted Hollywood Walk of Fame. As they mark over 48 years in show business, the Smothers Brothers are being saluted as time-honored legends whose lengthy careers have surpassed all other comedy teams in history.

On Friday, Oct. 13, enjoy the all-encompassing show of the humor and legendary folk tunes of Arlo Guthrie. Said to have been born with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in the other, in Coney Island, Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1947, Guthrie is the eldest son of singer/writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Mazia Guthrie. He grew up surrounded by dancers and musicians: Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Fred Hellerman and Lee Hays (The Weavers), Leadbelly, Cisco Houston, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, all of whom were significant influences on Arlo's musical career. Guthrie gave his first public performance at age 13 and quickly became involved in the music that was shaping the world during the 1960s. His immense talent has spanned the decades, providing a true folk experience at his performances.

Saturday night, Oct. 14, rounds out a weekend of fun with Big Smith, the ever-popular Hillbilly Band from Springfield. Many other activities, such as the Folk Festival Parade, take place throughout the weekend. For ticket reservations, phone 1-888-855-7823. For more information, visit www.eurekasprings.org.

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Rockhounds will have something to look forward to Oct. 12-15th at the 20th Annual Quartz Crystal Dig. Participants dig in actual working quartz crystal mines in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains and get a chance to meet other miners, learn about crystals, and improve their digging skills.

The event will take place at Mount Ida at the Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds. The winners share $1,500 in prize money and crystal trophies and get to keep all the crystal they dig. Drawings will be held every day for T-shirts, caps, special mugs and some nice crystals. Registration is $90.

For more details, call the Mount Ida Chamber at (870) 867-2723 or log on to www.mtidachamber.com

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Featuring the oldest wild turkey calling contest in the nation, the 61st annual Turkey Trot Festival is set for Oct. 13-14 on the town square of Yellville. This fall Ozark Mountain homecoming festival celebrates the town’s heritage and wild turkey. Activities will include a parade, Miss Turkey Trot and Miss Drumsticks pageants, traditional turkey dinner, art show, crafts, quilt show, lip-sync contest, live entertainment and a 5K run.

Admission is free, except there is a charge for the pageants and turkey calling contest. The National Wild Turkey Calling Contest is held annually during Yellville’s Turkey Trot Festival. It is the oldest established calling contest in the nation and is sanctioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Contestants from across the country participate. Championships are determined by judging each participant’s demonstration of the plain yelp of the hen, kee kee run, cutting of the excited hen, adult hen assembly, and the cluck and purr.

For more information, phone (870) 449-4676 or visit the Web site, www.yellville.com

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The historic buildings that comprise the Scott Plantation Settlement will be open for tours as the town of Scott holds its annual High Cotton on the Bayou on Oct. 14. Hours for the event are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition there will be crafts, stilts, and sack races for children, a bake sale, craft, art and food vendors and pony rides. Dutch oven cooking, blacksmithing and other pioneer demonstrations will be presented. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children with those under 12 admitted free. Proceeds benefit Scott Connections. Scott Plantation Settlement is located at the junction of Alexander and Walker’s Corner Roads. From I-440, take Exit 7 and go 4.2 miles. Jim Hankins is the local contact at (501) 351-5737 or aaronruby@mac.com.

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All aircraft are invited to fly to historic Eureka Springs and land at Silver Wings Field (5A5) during the 4th annual Fly-In on Oct. 14.

Various types of aircraft will be on display, including Vietnam-era fighters. Vintage WWII training aircraft will be available for rides with a donation to the Aviation Cadet Museum.

Admission will be $6 for adult, $4 for children 5-12, and free for under 5. Admission to the Aviation Cadet Museum is included in the price, along with access to the F-100-F and F-105-G aircraft. Concessions will be available. While some bleacher seating is available, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

For more information, phone (479) 253-5008 or visit www.aviationcadet.com.

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The City of Booneville will hold its annual October Daze on Oct. 14 downtown. From noon-9 p.m., the event is packed with live music, food, and games. Activities include the 4th annual Bill Prewett Memorial Run, the 3rd annual Special Olympics Motorcycle Poker Run, and a classic car show. New this year will be craft booths and a scarecrow contest.

For more information, phone (479) 675-2666 or visit www.booneville.com.

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The weekends of Oct. 20-22, Oct. 26-27, and Oct. 29-Oct. 31 are the 2006 dates for the Little Rock Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo. This annual scare affair includes food and entertainment each night, along with treat stations at various points around the grounds. Visitors young and old are encouraged to come in costume and enter the nightly costume contests where grand prizes for winners in three different age categories will be presented. They can also ride the Boo Express train, tour the haunted house and wind their way through the hay maze, and take a turn on carnival rides for both children and adults. The fun house and beauty shop of horrors are other ghostly destinations. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is $5. The zoo has more information at (501) 666-2406 or on http://littlerockzoo.com.

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The 3rd Annual Downtown Blues & BBQ Festival will swing through downtown Texarkana Oct. 21. The festival is sanctioned by the Kansas City Blues Society and will feature nationally acclaimed blues artist, big screen football in the Pocket Park and plenty of barbecue.

The lineup for this year will include Donnie Ray, the Reba Russell Band, Texas Slim and the Love Machine, The Cate Brothers Band, Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, and the Michael Burks Band. The music is from 11a.m. to 11 p.m. and each band will play 1 hour and 15 min. with a 15 min. intermission between sets.

For more information, call (870) 774-2120, e-mail anita@mainstreettexarkana.org or visit www.mainstreettexarkana.org

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An illustrious night of mad hats, dining and dancing, the 4th annual Mad Hatter’s Ball is set for Oct. 27 at the historic Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs.

The event includes outrageous hat contests, a gourmet dinner and live auction. One of the auction items is a package for an all-expense paid trip to the land of Lewis Carroll in London. A cash bar will be available. Hats are part of the required attire for the evening, but size, color, shape, decoration, and silliness is up to the individual. Proceeds will benefit the Eureka Springs School of the Arts.

For more information, phone (479) 253-5384 or visit www.esartschool.com.

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Enjoy the nighttime thrill of seeing lions, tigers, and bears as their eyes glow back at you at the 11th annual Howl-O-Ween Spooktacular on Oct. 28 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs.

Take a haunted hayride and go down the Trail of Terror while viewing more than 100 big cats. Additional activities will be a children’s costume parade and contest, and games. Concessions will be available.

If you visit the refuge during the day of the event, admission to the Spooktacular is free. Otherwise, the cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Bring an item from the refuge’s wish list and receive a $1 off admission. For more information, phone (479) 253-5841 or visit www.tigers.tc.

Take a haunted hayride and go down the Trail of Terror while viewing more than 100 big cats. Additional activities will be a children’s costume parade and contest, and games. Concessions will be available.

If you visit the refuge during the day of the event, admission to the Spooktacular is free. Otherwise, the cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Bring an item from the refuge’s wish list and receive a $1 off admission. For more information, phone (479) 253-5841 or visit www.tigers.tc.

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Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove will offer Haunted Battlefield Tours at on Oct. 28.

Join park staff for a spine-tingling, moon-lit walk around part of the Prairie Grove Battlefield where over two thousand soldiers were wounded, killed, or missing in action during the American Civil War. Tours will be offered at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, phone the park at (479) 846-2990 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

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The colorful frontier heritage of the Arkansas River Valley will come to life during the 11th annual Frontier Fest, Oct. 28-29 in downtown Fort Smith.

The festival pays tribute to and honors the lifestyles and spirit that make up the rich history of frontier life in Western Arkansas.

Frontier Fest will again take place on the grounds of the Fort Smith National Historic Site, the Frisco Railroad Depot and the new River Parks complex, overlooking the Arkansas River and what was once Indian Territory.

Costumed re-enactors, frontier presentations, demonstrations and crafts are geared toward the entire family. The free festival will also include demonstrations by Native Americans, authentic musical presentations, and performances throughout the weekend by the "Lawbreakers and Peacemakers" frontier troupe.

For more information, phone 800-637-1477 or visit www.fortsmith.org.

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The sounds of some of the best known orchestral works of all time can be heard at the Pine Bluff Convention Center Auditorium in Pine Bluff Oct. 29th during Great Orchestral Masterpieces.

The concert will feature selections written by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, in celebration of his 250th birthday, Barber, and Stravinsky. Ticket prices range from $20-25 for adults and $12-8 for students.

With over 90,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, the Convention Center is the fourth largest meeting facility in the state. This colossal center features an arena, auditorium/theater, several spacious meeting rooms, lobbies, ample parking, full camper hook-ups and a park perfect for outdoor receptions.