Travelin’ Arkansas: Events Taking Place in Late April

Note to Print and Broadcast Editors: We at the Arkansas Tourism Division recognize that our "Traveling 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 “Traveling Arkansas” to fit your needs by selecting events you feel meet the interests of your readers or listeners. In addition, we would suggest that "Traveling Arkansas" items may be used on a stand-alone basis to fill your space and time needs.

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"Good Will and Service in Every Sale," an exhibit on the Mooney-Barker Drugstore in the Madison County community of Pettigrew is now open at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale and will run through April 29.

"General stores were the one-stop shopping marts of their day," said Susan Young, museum outreach coordinator and curator of the exhibit. "The exhibit will focus on the amazing array of goods and services offered by Dr. W.H. Mooney and his daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Arthur Barker, in their small country store which was in business from 1917 until 1980."

The exhibit is part of the statewide celebration of Arkansas Archeology Month, with this year’s theme of "Merchants and Traders." The Shiloh Museum is located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale, and is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, phone (479) 750-8165.

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A Dulcimer Jamboree is set to take place in Mountain View April 18-22. The event will take place at the Ozark Folk Center State Park and will include workshops, jam sessions, and concerts.

Both the Mountain and Hammered styles of this folk instrument will be on display. The Mountain Dulcimer is traditionally strummed with a quill, a pick, or the fingers. The larger Hammered Dulcimer, which originated in Persia, is played by striking rather than plucking the strings.

Workshops will include instruction in both styles of play for $250 for 5 days, $150 for 3 days, or $55 a day. The public can attend the competitive events and other activities by purchasing an entrance ticket to the grounds which is $9 for adults and $6 for children. Concert tickets can also be purchased separately. For more information, contact Ozark Folk Center State Park at (870)269-3851 or visit their Web site at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.

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Set for April 21, the Margaret Phillips Annual Dogwood Tour departs from the courthouse gazebo in Jasper at 9 a.m., returning by 3 p.m. Participants travel by school bus through the winding roads of Newton County on a tour that covers about 80 miles through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. There are three to four stops along the way with opportunities to take a short hike. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, walking shoes and must provide their own lunch.

Admission is $5. For more information, contact the Forest Service at (870) 446-5122. The Newton Country Resource Council sponsors the event.

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The varied activities during the 26th annual Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival to be held Friday and Saturday, April 21-22 in Fordyce will include performances of bluegrass and other live music, an Elvis Presley impersonator, a professional bull riding competition and a model train showcase. Most festival events are free and are staged around and near the Dallas County Courthouse in downtown Fordyce.

The Nichols Family, a popular bluegrass act from Fordyce, will perform at 6 p.m. on April 22 with Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg, Tenn., the two-time Tennessee state champion banjo player, expected to join them onstage. Taking the stage that afternoon will be Legacy, an anthem rock cover band from Cabot. Elvis impersonator James Wages will be performing at 8 p.m. on April 21.

The "Bull Bash" bull riding competition, featuring cowboys from several states, will begin at 8 p.m. on April 22 at the Rex Raney Riding Arena located on West Fourth Street. Admission will be charged to that event.

Festival events planned for downtown on both days include an arts and crafts show to open at 9 a.m., the train showcase and a carnival. Other activities planned for April 22 include the Cotton Belt 5K Run at 8 a.m., a parade at 11 a.m. and an antique and classic car show. The Redbug Reunion Rally, which is a Fordyce High School, all-class reunion long held in conjunction with the festival, will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 21 at the Fordyce Civic Center.
The festival celebrates Fordyce’s beginnings as a railroad town. It was platted in 1882 when the Cotton Belt Route was built and it was named after Samuel Fordyce, who surveyed the route for the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas Railway and later became its president.

For additional festival information, phone Joe Bill Meador at (870) 352-6110. For information on restaurants, lodging and other Fordyce area attractions, which include the Dallas County Museum, contact the Fordyce Chamber of Commerce at (870) 352-3520 or visit www.fordycearkansas.org.

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The 31st annual Festival of Two Rivers to be held Friday and Saturday, April 21-22 in Arkadelphia will feature live entertainment including jazz performances; about 60 arts and crafts vendors; a barbecue cook-off; a crawfish boil; a motorcycle rally; food vendors; blacksmithing demonstrations; softball, 3-on-3 basketball and bench-press competitions; amusements for children; and Arkansas’ largest kids’ run, according to a festival spokesman.

General admission is free and all events will be held in downtown Arkadelphia around the Clark County Courthouse. Festival hours will be noon to 8 p.m. on April 21 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 22. The kids’ run, expected to draw more than 500 participants, will begin at noon on April 22 at the courthouse. Registration for the run will begin at 10 a.m.

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Cliff Cottage Luxury B & B Inn, located in the heart of historic downtown Eureka Springs, will host "Rediscover the Blissful Joy of Marriage" retreats on certain weekends beginning in April and running through November with a five-day intensive retreat in August.

Sessions are designed for couples to create a vision of what it looks like to be sharing a marriage that really works for both of them and then to implement the tools for bringing it to fruition.

"These retreats are not only for couples who might be having a few difficulties or even on the total brink of absolute disaster, they are also for those who are either planning on getting married or who already have a really good healthy marriage and want to make it even better," explained Sandra Smith, innkeeper and retreat organizer.

The workshops, lead by Eureka Springs residents Mike and Mary Jeppsen, who have been married 30 years and have 11 children, will include tests to determine your personality type and how it affects your method of communicating, "games" to hone communication skills, and techniques for bringing more intimacy and romance into your marriage. The workshops will also include couples' things to do together around Eureka Springs to practice the new tools learned through the workshops.

Retreat dates are: April 21-23, June 16-18, Sept. 8-10, Nov. 17-19 and a Five-Day Intensive Aug. 6-10. All will be held at Cliff Cottage Inn. The retreat and intensives package includes luxury lodgings (Jacuzzis or hot tubs), gourmet breakfasts delivered to the suites, the workshops, an individualized romantic vow renewal ceremony for each couple, and alone time for couples.

"Participation is sure to make a positive difference in your relationship, not only with your spouse but also with your children and other family members," said Sandra. "This will be a great chance to dedicate some real quality time for each other and at the end of the retreat or intensive, you'll be on the path to a deeper purpose for your blissful lifelong partnership."

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Live performances of gospel, blues, jazz and other types of music, a variety of foods including Cajun items and a host of other activities are scheduled for the 5th annual Twin Rivers Festival to be held Friday-Sunday, April 21-23 in the southwestern Arkansas town of McNab.

Also scheduled are arts and crafts vendors; antique car and motorcycle shows; a parade at noon on April 22; a rock-climbing wall; an auction; a 5-K run; bingo games; activities for children; and horseshoe pitching, arm-wrestling and domino tournaments. Festival admission is free and hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 21-22 and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 23. Activities on the final day will also include a community worship service and Easter egg hunt.

McNab is located four miles north of Interstate 30 via Ark. 355 (Exit 18). The festival will be held in McNab’s City Park, located adjacent to Ark. 355. Festival proceeds go for park improvements. For additional information, phone James Conway at (870) 722-4154.

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Scottish roots run deep at the 27th annual Arkansas Scottish Festival in Batesville April 21-23. A variety of entertainment will be on hand to enjoy including a Parade of Clans and Massed bands, pipe bands, Highland dancing, Scottish foods and crafts as well as a traditional feast and ceilidh.

Gates open at 8 a.m. A two-day festival admission pass for Saturday and Sunday has been set at $16. A Saturday only pass is $10 or $12 at the gate and a Sunday pass can be bought for $6 or $7 at the gate. General admission for children under 12 is free. The Traditional Scottish Evening Fare and Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. A cocktail reception and Scottish feast is set at $35.

For more information phone Jimmy Bell, Director of the Scottish Heritage Program at (870).698-4382 or visit www.lyon.edu/scotfest for details such as driving directions and links to order tickets online.

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The 14th annual Mid-South Dowsing and Healing Energies Convention, set for April 21-25 at the Mt. Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville, is for persons interested in helping others heal or healing issues in their own lives. This five-day event features more than 30 speakers on a wide range of topics, including basic and advanced dowsing, healing techniques, and mind phenomena. Participants will have an opportunity to attend one of four full-day pre-convention workshops on April 21.

Prices range from $50 per day for the convention to $200 for the pre-convention workshop and full convention. Packages that include lodging and meals are also available. The convention is sponsored by the Ozark Research Institute, located at 221 South Locust in Fayetteville. ORI offers a Tuesday night meditation group, a "First Sunday" potluck and lecture series each month, and two training opportunities each year, the Dowsing and Healing Energies Conventions in April, and a five-day, intensive school in September. For more information, phone (479) 582-9197 and visit www.ozarkresearch.org.

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The Battle of Poison Spring Living History event to be held on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Poison Spring Historic State Park near Camden will feature cannon-firing demonstrations and an encampment of re-enactors who will explain to visitors various aspects of Civil War life. Admission will be free.

The April 18, 1864 battle was part of the Union Army’s failed Red River campaign and involved an attack by some 3,100 Confederate troops on a wagon train defended by approximately 965 federal troops. The federals had been sent into the countryside in search of foodstuffs to supply an army of 13,000 then encamped at Camden.

Poison Spring Historic State Park is located 10 miles west of Camden on Ark. 76. For more information, contact nearby White Oak Lake State Park by phone at (870) 685-2748 or by e-mail at whiteoaklake@arkansas.com.

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Power 92/KOKY is once again sponsoring Blues on the River, April 22 at North Little Rock’s North Shore River Walk. Performers such as Denise LaSalle, Willie Clayton, T.K. Soul, and Bobby Rush are scheduled to perform. Over 5,000 people are expected to attend this afternoon and evening jam session beginning at 2 p.m. Barbecue, beer and other concessions will be available. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 the day of the show.

Contact Joe Booker at (501) 401-0321 for more information or check the Web site www.power923.com.

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A Herbfest & Plant Sale will take place in Mammoth Spring at Mammoth Spring State Park from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 22nd. Mammoth Spring Garden Club members will be on hand to answer questions about herbs and other garden plants of the area and a tour of the parks herb garden will also be offered.

Mammoth Spring is Arkansas' largest spring as well as a National Natural Landmark. Park facilities on site include an information center with exhibits on the area's rich history and natural resources, picnic sites, trail, ball field and children's playground. For more information on the Herbfest & Plant Sale, call (870)625-7364 or e-mail mammothspring@arkansas.com.

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If you have a top secret gumbo recipe you wish to unleash to the public, the 3rd annual Gumbo Fest is set to take place in West Memphis on April 22 at the Mid-Continent Plaza in the parking lot and also the field behind the building.

At the festival there will be a gumbo and chicken wing cook-off with judging set to take place from 6-7 p.m. The Terry Logan band has been secured as entertainment for the entire day and a DJ will also be present. Contact committee chair Kelvin Hazle at Kelvin_hazel@yahoo.com or check out www.wmcoc.com for further details.

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Little Rock’s River Market District will be the setting for the annual Arkansas Literary Festival, April 22 and 23. Nationally known authors will be on hand for discussions, readings and book signings. Some of the featured writers appearing include Joe Klein, Kevin Brockmeier, John Hope Franklin, and Robert Hicks. Information on these and other celebrities scheduled to appear can be found on www.ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org.

Several featured events are also scheduled to take place, some prior to the event. These include the 11:30 a.m. "Lunch with Dr. BBQ" at the River Market East Pavilion and "Chapter & Verse Soiree with the Authors" at 6 p.m. in the historic Women’s City Center. Both are on Friday, April 21. "A Novel Affair VIP Martini Reception" is on tap for 6 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, there will be special events geared toward young adults and children, including a Saturday, April 22 Children’s Breakfast at 9 a.m. in the Clinton Presidential Center Great Hall. Theme for the meal is "Reading in Arkansas: It's A Natural!" and in honor of Earth Day, the event will have an overall environmental theme. Special fundraisers will allow visitors to rub elbows with authors. An outdoor book
fair will provide opportunities for book browsing and interactive demonstrations. Admission to most venues is free with some of the special functions having entry fees. For more information, contact Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc., 4942 W. Markham. Suite 1, Little Rock 72205; (501) 663-4321 or festival@arkansasliteracy.org.

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The 23rd annual Old Hardy Town Spring Art & Crafts Festival will take place April 22-23rd this year. Vendors from numerous states will setup along Main Street in the National Register Historic District of Hardy. There will be handmade crafts, food and live music for attendees to enjoy at this free event.

Virtually unchanged since the 1920s, Hardy is home to antique stores, gift shops, cafes and craft shops. It is also near the Spring River and with a population of less than 1,000, hosts a small and charming atmosphere. For more information on the festival, log on to www.oldhardytown.net.

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A free performance by a 50-member company from the Russian National Ballet in Moscow of the three-act ballet "Sleeping Beauty," with music by the 19th-century Russian composer Tchaikovsky, is expected to be a highlight of the annual Warfield Music Festival to be held April 26-30 in Helena-West Helena. Festival events will be staged at the Phillips County Community College/University of Arkansas, which can be reached by following directional signs located on U.S. 49-B in Helena-West Helena.

In addition to the ballet on April 26, the festival will be hosting on April 27 "Three on a String," a show featuring musicians and vocalists Jerry Ryan, Bobby Horton, and Brad Ryan performing country, classical, bluegrass and folk standards, and Opera Memphis, four vocalists and a pianist performing selections from Gilbert and Sullivan as well as Broadway tunes, on April 29.

All three performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the 1,200-seat Lily Peter Auditorium of the college’s Fine Arts Center. Though admission will be free, tickets should be obtained in advance. They are available at the Phillips County Chamber of Commerce at 111 Hickory Hill Drive in Helena-West Helena and at the Arkansas Welcome Center on U.S. 49 west of the Mississippi River bridge. Mail orders (limit of four tickets) should be addressed to Warfield Concerts, P.O. Box 81, Helena-West Helena AR 72342. A self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelope should be included.

Ticket holders are requested to be seated by 7:15 p.m., after which the general public will be admitted. A ticket does not guarantee a seat. Babies and toddlers will not be admitted to the evening performances.

The festival will close on April 30 on the Fine Arts Center’s lawn with a 6 p.m. family concert by The Natural State Brass Band, a group of more than 30 musicians based in Little Rock. The performance, expected to include marches and patriotic tunes, will be free with no tickets required. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, a picnic supper and coolers.

For more festival information, visit www.warfieldconcerts.com or phone the chamber of commerce at (870) 338-8327. More Helena-West Helena information, including lodging options, can be obtained by phoning the chamber and online at www.bluesandheritage.com/abouthelena.htm.

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A touch of Russia will be present in Conway on April 27 as the Russian National Ballet performs the classic ballet "Swan Lake" at the Reynolds Performance Hall. Legendary Bolshoi principal dancer Sergei Radchenko leads a company of 50 dancers in the story of Prince Siegfried, the beautiful Odette, the Evil Sorcerer, and the false Odile. The Russian National Ballet was founded in Moscow in the late 1980s during the transitional period of Perestroika, when many of the great Soviet dancers and choreographers were implementing their newly found creative freedom by starting new companies dedicated not only to the timeless tradition of classical Russian ballet but also to new dance developments. Under Radchenko, the group is intent on upholding the treasured tradition of major Russian ballet works. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance range from $28 to $35 and can be obtained online at www.uca.edu/publicappearances. The performance hall is located on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

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Beginning birdwatchers can learn more about wild birds and their habitat and food requirements by attending the annual Beaks, Bills, Feathers and Quills weekend at DeGray Lake Resort State Park near Arkadelphia on April 28-30.

A complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, including guided walks, evening programs and lake tours, is expected to be available on the park’s Web site, www.degray.com, at least two weeks prior to the event. A copy can be requested by e-mailing degraylakeresort@arkansas.com or phoning (501) 865-2801. Admission to all activities, except for barge tours of the lake, will be free. The barge tours will be $6 for adults and $3 for ages six through 12, with children under six admitted free.

Located seven miles north of Arkadelphia via Ark. 7, the park’s many features include a 96-room lodge, 113 campsites, an 18-hole golf course, a marina with watercraft rentals and a full-service, shoreline restaurant. For more event and park information, and to reserve campsites, phone (501) 865-2801. For lodge reservations, phone 800-737-8355.

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The 32nd annual Dogwood Festival is set for April 28-30 at the City Park and Bob Henry Park in Siloam Springs. About 30,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event, which includes food, live entertainment, buffalo wing contest, kids’ activity zone and more. About 200 arts and crafts booths will be set up with vendors from all over the country and Canada selling their wares. Items will range from wooden ink pens to framed artwork to handmade clothing and jewelry. Admission is free. The festival will take place from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 30.

In conjunction with the annual Dogwood Festival, Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation holds the Dogwood 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. The race will be at 8 a.m., April 29 at a cost of $15 for those that pre-register and $20 the day of the race. This is the 29th year for the race. Registration will be from 7 a.m.-7:45 a.m. the day of the race at the pavilion at Bob Henry Park. For more information about the race, phone Steve at (479) 524-5779.

For more information regarding the festival, phone (479) 524-6466 or visit www.siloamchamber.com.

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A Spring Star Party is set to take place on April 29th in Wynne at Village Creek State Park from 7:30-10 p.m. The Memphis Astronomical Society will be on hand to present programs dealing with constellations and other night sky sights beginning in the auditorium. Telescope viewing will also follow. In case of inclement weather, a rain date of May 20th has been set for this free event.

While at the park, those present can enjoy the unique geology of Crowley's Ridge, a landform of rolling hills in eastern Arkansas' Mississippi Alluvial Plain. A geologic anomaly, the ridge is covered by Beech-Maple forest featuring oak, sugar maple, beech, butternut and tulip poplar. Horseback riding has become a popular pastime at this park as well as 20 miles of horse trails that wind through the rolling hills and forests of the ridge. Horse trails are open year round when the ground is dry. For more information on the star party, e-mail villagecreek@arkansas.com.