Travelin’ the Arkansas Ozarks: Events Taking Place During April

Kimberly J. Williams and Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writers
Arkansas Tourism

Note to the Print and Broadcast Media: 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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In Huntsville, the Withrow Springs State Park annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, April 3. Meet at the Ham Pavilion for a jelly bean guessing contest and egg hunt. Children ages 1-12 can participate, and prizes will be awarded to the winners of each age division. The event is free. Call 479-559-2593 for details.

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Join the Old Independence Regional Museum (OIRM) in Batesville for the OIRM Scouting Day on April 3. The workshop is designed for boy and girl scouts in conjunction with the museum's latest exhibit, "Living off the Land - Season by Season." Participating scouts learn about Arkansas history through a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations and receive a custom designed Old Independence Regional Museum patch. Class size is limited and reservations are required. 

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The Easter Bunny, lots of hidden eggs, and a children’s carnival are scheduled for Jacksonport State Park’s Easter Egg Hunt on April 3 in Newport. Pose for photos with the head bunny himself. Prizes are awarded to the lucky kids who find the hidden prize eggs. Log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Jacksonport State Park at 870-523-2143 for more information.

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Learn the basics of fly fishing on Saturday April 3 at Mammoth Spring State Park. Spend a couple of hours learning the terms, equipment, and techniques of fly-fishing from a local fishing guide during this class. Space is limited and reservations are required. The cost is $20. Call 870-625-7364 by March 24 to reserve your spot.

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Devil’s Den State Park’s popular Mountain Bike Festival runs April 3-4 in West Fork. This fun-filled weekend includes mountain bike rides for every level of rider. All bikers must wear a helmet. Contact the park at 479-761-3325 for more information. Other events in April include Wildflower Weekend April 10-11.

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Ozark Springtime Wildflower Weekend at Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals takes place April 9-11. Activities include wildflower walks, craft projects, children’s programs, evening slide shows, and lake and river cruises. All events, except the cruises, are free. For details call 870-445-3629.

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The 22nd annual Ozark UFO Conference on April 9-11 in Eureka Springs brings authorities on various aspects of UFOs. There are a total of nine speakers, as well as vendors of books, tapes, and DVDs, on all aspects of the subject. The cost is $45 in advance or $50 at the door. The conference takes place at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. 

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Pettigrew Day is set for April 10 at the Pettigrew Community Building. The event is a celebration of Madison County history and is held in Pettigrew, which was once known as the “Hardwood Capital of the World.” The event is free, except for the $5 potluck meal. The dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. 

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Cooking outdoors is a time-honored tradition, especially in Arkansas State Parks. Discover the basics of outdoor Dutch oven cooking when Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan hosts a Dutch Oven Demonstration Workshop on April 10. The workshop offers the opportunity to get hands-on experience and a chance to sample your work. For details log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-878-6595.

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If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community, the 13th annual Park Day on April 10 at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove invites volunteers to help clean up the battlefield and other park grounds. Local Master Gardeners prepare the heritage vegetable and herb gardens. Other tasks include picking up litter, raking leaves, painting signs, repairing and replacing split rail fences, and maintenance and cleaning of the park's historic buildings. Some tools are provided. Participants should bring their own gloves and tools if possible, and wear sturdy shoes and work clothes. Coffee, water, and snacks are provided. Volunteers receive a "Park Day" t-shirt, and have the opportunity to hear a local historian discuss the significance of this site. Individuals as well as groups, including scouts, churches, re-enactors and families are invited. Groups are asked to call ahead. Phone 479-846-2990 for more information.

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Discover the works of more than 970 local and regional fine artists at the Gallery Association Second Saturday Stroll on April 10 in Eureka Springs. The seven eclectic fine art galleries that make up the association are located on Spring Street in the historic downtown. 

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Salem is the site of the 7th annual Spring Fairgrounds Flea Market on April 10. On sale at the Fulton County Fairgrounds are antiques, primitives, gifts, crafts and more. Phone 870-895-5565 or visit www.fultoncountyfair.org for details.

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Join the Old Independence Regional Museum for a lecture by Dr. Brian Campbell on heirloom plants of the Ozarks. Dr. Campbell's talk, entitled Ozarks Heirlooms: Conserving Arkansas' Agricultural Heritage, is slated for April 11 at 2 p.m. The museum hosts a Spring Homeschool Day on April 12. Students learn about Arkansas history while completing activities and watching demonstrations. 

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In its 48th year, the annual Arkansas Folk Festival is set for April 15-18 on the courthouse square in Mountain View. This annual spring celebration features handmade crafts, frontier life demonstrations, parade, dancing, and a window decorating contest. There will be folk, mountain and bluegrass music. The date also marks the opening of Ozark Folk Center State Park for the season. There is free admission to the park’s Crafts Village this weekend, and free shuttle service from downtown to the park. 

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The 6th annual Carving In the Ozarks on April 16-17 in Eureka Springs features the art of chainsaw carving. Typically 15 to 25 carvers participate in the event each year, creating a masterpiece right in front of event goers. Saturday at 4 p.m. is an auction of those pieces. The event takes place at the intersection of Ark. 62 east and Rockhouse Road.

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Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan hosts the Historic Powhatan School of the Lady on April 16-18. The three-day workshop is targeted for women interested in living history and reenacting the mid-19th century. Instructors from historic sites throughout Arkansas teach participants all aspects of a 19th century woman, including etiquette, cooking, history, music and sewing techniques. To learn more contact Powhatan Historic State Park at 870-878-6765.

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Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas hosts the Eleven Point River Canoe Float on April 17. Beginners and experts alike enjoy the day-long float through the beautiful Ozark foothills. Space is limited and reservations are required. To call and book a canoe or for more information phone 870-892-4708.

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Spring's warmer temperatures offer a great opportunity to get out and geocache. If you aren't familiar with the outdoor scavenger hunt, Jacksonport State Park in Newport hosts a GPS Workshop on April 17. Participants learn how to operate a GPS, locate hidden caches, and create their own caches. 

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Artisans and crafters throughout Arkansas and surrounding states display their talents in Old Hardy Town during the Spring Arts and Crafts Festival on April 17-18 in Hardy. Specialty food vendors serve up tasty treats. The family can enjoy live musical entertainment, pony rides, face painting, and free rides on a train for the kids. Phone 870-856-3571 for details.

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Workshops, jam sessions, and concerts for all levels of playing experience are part of the Dulcimer Jamboree: A Traditional Music Event set for April 22-24 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. This is the 33rd year for the event, which features both mountain and hammered dulcimers. Registration is required. The entry fee to participate is $150 prior to April 8 and $200 after that date. 

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In Mountain View, join Ozark Folk Center State Park staff members to learn how to cook traditional and contemporary foods on April 23 during Fourth Friday Food Day. The theme of Gorgeous Greens means participants will create dishes such as lettuce wraps, poke salad, arugula with feta and more. The $30 fee for the class includes lunch. Class size is limited. 

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Withrow Springs State Park in Huntsville hosts a Star Party on April 3 at its Crossbow Pavilion. Members of the Astronomical Society of Northwest Arkansas teach participants about stars, constellations and planets. Telescopes are available for viewing, but the public is welcome to bring their own or a pair of binoculars. Dress for the weather and be sure to bring a lawn chair. If the evening skies are cloudy or it is raining, the event will be canceled. Call 479-559-2593 for more information.

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A beginner’s workshop on Jewelry from Found Objects is offered April 23-24 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. The class explores basic construction methods to design and make jewelry using copper, brass, and nickel. Participants become familiar with the tools used every day by professional jewelers and learn techniques such as cold joining and incorporating found objects. Projects include earrings and pendants. This hands-on class immerses students in the use of metal as a medium for self-expression. Reservations are required and the cost of the class is $150 plus a $40 materials fee. 

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A first-time happening, Calico Rock's Ozark Riverfest is set for April 23-24 in Earl King Park. The new event aims to provide area residents and visitors alike with a fun-filled experience in the historic community along the scenic White River. Activities include ATV races, fire department water wars, craft and food vendors, live music, a health fair, kids’ games, and an old-fashioned horseshoe pitching tournament. The Arkansas Game & Fish mobile fish aquarium will also be on site. 

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The 36th annual Dogwood Festival is April 23-25 in Siloam Springs. Exhibitors from across the country sell handmade, assembled and resale items. More than 200 booths are set up in two parks along twin springs. There are food vendors and a kids’ zone.

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The sound of bagpipes echoes through the Ozarks again this spring when Lyon College in Batesville hosts the 31st annual Arkansas Scottish Festival on April 23-25. The festival, which honors Scottish heritage and traditions, features a vast array of events and exhibits, a kilted golf tournament, food vendors offering traditional Scottish dishes, Celtic music, sheepdog demonstrations, and, of course, bagpipes. 

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Artists showcase their two and three dimensional works and local restaurants prepare their best food during Springfest on April 23-25 in Heber Springs. The event includes a chair art auction, kids’ activities, car show, food vendors, and entertainment in historic Spring Park. 

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Take the Full Moon Boat Tour on April 27 at Lake Fort Smith State Park in Mountainburg to cruise Frog Bayou at dusk and celebrate the arrival of spring. Bring a jacket. This is a weather-dependent event and subject to cancellation. Reservations are suggested. Phone 479-369-2469 for details. Meet at the park marina to take the cruise, which costs $8.50 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.