Travelin’ the Arkansas Ouachitas: Events Taking Place During July

Zoie Clift, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

In order to better serve your needs and to keep you from getting extremely long documents from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, we have decided to break down our Travelin’ Arkansas release into regions organized by date. This way you will be able to look only at the areas you are interested in covering. The territories covered in Travelin' Arkansas adhere to the six geographical regions found in the Arkansas Tour Guide. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.

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July 3 hosts Spa Blast at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. Gates to the family event open at 5 p.m. The festival will feature a rock climbing wall, Humvee and fire engine exhibit, a gymnastics demonstration, an RC Air Show, a performance by Miss Arkansas, music by Rock Solid Band, a flyover by the Arkansas National Guard Army Aviation 77th Aviation Unit (Blackhawk helicopters) and a fireworks show. The Spa Blast is being held at Oaklawn Race Track in the infield. Folks are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy the live music and entertainment. For more details, call 501-623-4411.

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Quiltfest 2009 is set for July 10-11 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs. The semi-annual show offers various examples of quilts as well as quilting demonstrations. Around 100 vendors are expected to participate. For more information contact Beth Wynn at bethquilts@cablelynx.com or call 501-282-3979.

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Arkadelphia’s Cruisin’ in the Park takes place July 10 – 11 at the Recreation Center and Aquatic Park. This antique and classic car show is set to feature a BBQ cook-off and blues music. The city is located on I-30 about 60 miles from Little Rock, 40 miles from the Crater of Diamonds State Park, and around 25 miles from Hot Springs. For further information call 870-246-5499.

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Summer Jazz Jammin’ at the Quapaw Bathhouse will take place from 6–9 p.m. July 24 at the Quapaw Bathhouse in Hot Springs. The $10 admission includes hors d’oeuvres and dancing. The event is a chance to enjoy local music and take a peek at the renovated historic Quapaw Bathhouse. For more information visit www.hotspringsjazzfest.org or call 501-767-0211.

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The 37th Annual Pine Tree Festival takes place July 31-August 1 in City Park in Dierks. The festival commemorates the timber industry and will feature a championship BBQ cook-off, antique car show, antique tractor show, lumberjack competition, arm wrestling, pie baking, children’s activities, heavy equipment show, country music concert featuring headliner artists, and more. For more details, visit www.dierkschamberofcommerce.com or call 870-286-2911.