Travelin’ the Arkansas Ozarks: Events Taking Place During June

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Kimberly J. Williams and Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writers
Arkansas Department of Parks and 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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Concerts take place throughout the town during Eureka Springs Blues Weekend on June 3-6. Headlining this year are John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite with The Table Rockers, and Magic Slim & The Teardrops. Featured artists include Bob Margolin, Shaun Murphy, Kelley Hunt, Super Chikan & The Fighting Cocks, Otis Taylor, Shawn "Lil' Slim" Holt, Marquise Knox, Albert Castiglia, and Fast Johnny Ricker. Continuing its support of the International Blues Challenge, Blues Weekend will also feature performances by Ozark Blues Society Solo Winner, Buddy Shute, and Isayah’s All Stars, Ozark Blues Society Band of the Year.

Clubs around town will also feature national and regional blues acts, and there will be free blues shows in Basin Spring Park throughout the weekend. Scheduled acts include Doghouse Daddies, Earl & Them, Eef & The Groovy Blues Express, Levee Town, Mark Montgomery, Patrick Sweany, Penelope and The Unusual Suspects, Rich Berry, The Americans, and The Jug Band. A full listing of venues and acts, as they become available, is available online at www.EurekaSpringsBlues.com.

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Those interested in searching or sharing information on north Arkansas families can do so on June 5 during the 21st annual North Arkansas Ancestor Fair in Marshall. The free fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Searcy County Civic Center. On site are genealogical historical societies and family historians. A mixer dinner is held at Sunset Restaurant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Visit www.ancestorfair.us or call 479-442-3691 for more information.

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Grab your fishing pole, your “secret” bait and try to catch “the big one” when Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas hosts its annual Fishing Derby on June 5. Prizes will be awarded for all age groups. Remember, all participants over the age of 16 must have a valid Arkansas fishing license at registration. Contact the park at 870-892-4708 for details.

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If you’ve always wanted to learn to canoe, here’s your chance. Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas offers an Intro to Canoeing workshop on June 5. Participants will learn canoeing basics from the park interpreter on Trapper Lake. Contact Davidsonville Historic State Park at 870-892-4708 for more information.

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Looking for a relaxing hobby? Try basket weaving. Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan offers a Victorian Shopping Basket Weaving Workshop on June 5. Participants will learn to weave shopping baskets used during the 1800s. For more information contact the park at 870-878-6765.

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If you’re 55 years of age or older, you can experience the Ozark Mountains and the people who call it home during Elderhostel - An Ozark Experience on June 6-11 and June 13-18 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. This program is for lovers of nature, culture, and music. To register, contact Elderhostel at www.elderhostel.com or call 800-895-0727. For program questions or information about the park, visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com or call 870-269-3851.

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A summer celebration, the 25th annual Ice Cream Social thrills children and adults on June 11-12 on the Berryville town square. The social includes music on Friday night, and a fishing derby for children on Saturday morning. There are also concessions, craft vendors, an antique car show, 5K walk/run, and games for kids. Visit www.berryvillear.com or call 870-423-3704 for details.

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Calico Rock holds its 53rd annual Lions Club Rodeo and Parade on June 11-12 at the Tip Wiseman Rodeo Arena. All rodeo events, both junior and senior, start at 8 p.m. with gates opening at 7 p.m. Concessions are available. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, a parade containing floats, fire trucks, horseback riders and local dignitaries travels from the arena down Ark. 56 west through Main Street. Admission to the rodeo is $6. Visit www.calicorock.us or call 870-297-8837 for more information.

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Juried artists from across the country showcase their fine arts during the 8th annual Art Walk set for June 11-12 on the Bentonville town square. The event includes a kids’ art park, food, and music, theatre and film showcases. Visit www.downtownbentonville.org or call 479-254-0254 for more information.

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Devil’s Den State Park celebrates the world’s only flying mammal with one of its most popular programs, Bat-O-Rama XXI on June 11-13 in West Fork. These special creatures are very beneficial, yet often misunderstood. Join park interpreters as they dispel myths and discuss the benefits of bats. The weekend's festivities include games, hikes, and special talks highlighting bat activity. Admission is free. Call 479-761-3325 for details.

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Withrow Springs State Park in Huntsville offers a Kids’ Fishing Derby on June 12 for children ages 2-15. There will be door prize drawings throughout the derby and prizes for the biggest fish will be awarded to the winners in each age division. Bring your own bait and tackle. Parents are welcome to help, but kids must do the fishing.

Also on June 12 at the park is a Star Party, where members of the Astronomical Society of Northwest Arkansas guide a star gazing session. Meet at the Crossbow Pavilion for a chance to learn about the different stars, constellations, and planets that make up the night sky. Telescopes will be available for viewing. Participants may bring their own telescopes or 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 cancelled. Call 479-559-2593 for details on either free event.

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Grab the kids, the fishing poles and some bait and make your way to Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan for the park’s Kids’ Fishing Derby on June 12. The derby is open to kids ages 6-15. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Bring a picnic lunch and make it a day of fun along Lake Charles. Phone 870-878-6595 for specifics.

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Hardy Homesteaders Day is June 12. It provides a brief glimpse into the lives of our Ozark ancestors through personal historical interpretation and re-enactment of routine daily activities particular to the pioneers and their families that settled in the Hardy area. Open fire cooking with samples, terrapin races, and music throughout the day are part of this event, which takes place in Loberg Park. Visit www.oldhardytown.net or phone 870-856-2120 for more information.

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The 3rd annual Dutch Oven Cook-Off at Bulls Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals is set for June 12, and is part of the park’s 55th birthday celebration. Teams will compete by preparing their favorite dishes the old-fashioned way, using cast iron cookware and hot coals. Visitors can watch as the teams showcase their craft, and afterward can taste samples. Prizes are awarded for each category: bread, main dish, and dessert. This is a unique style of cooking that has been around since the days of the earliest settlers.

Troutfest is held June 18-20 at the park. The White River is one of the nation's finest trout fishing streams. The festival offers something for beginners and experts. Activities include fly fishing classes, fly tying demonstrations, basic trout fishing classes, trout cooking demonstrations, fly casting clinics, and river cruises. Call 870-445-3629 for details on either event.

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Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville wants to teach kids more about Arkansas History this summer. OIRM Day Camps give schoolchildren the opportunity to learn more about our state’s history through a myriad of activities, including historic games, demonstrations and craft projects. Third and fourth graders are invited to camp on June 15-18. June 22-25 is reserved for fifth and sixth grade students. Class size is limited and reservations are required. Contact the museum at 870-793-2121 for more information.

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Family fun is the specialty at the 9th annual Great Cotter Trout Festival June 18-19 in Cotter. The opening ceremony begins at noon Friday with a barbecue dinner at 4 p.m. Festivities throughout the weekend include free fly casting and tying instructions, 70 craft vendors, and live music. On Saturday, a parade takes place at 9 a.m., a kids’ fishing hole will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a fish fry is at 4 p.m. All events take place in Big Spring Park. Call 870-404-8416 for more information.

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Celebrating 30 years on June 18-19, the annual Craftsfest in Mountain Home is a juried craft fair with only handmade items accepted. About 70 vendors will set up in the Baxter County Fairgrounds Education Building. Call 870-425-0777 for details.

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Flint knapping is the primitive art and skill of making and using stone tools and arrowheads. Learn more about this trade at the 9th annual Knap-In at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring on June 18-19. Beginners and advanced knappers are welcome. The cost is $5 for participants and free to spectators. Contact the park at 870-625-7364 for further details.

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Mountain View hosts Smokin' on the Square, a barbecue contest, on June 18-19.The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Visit www.yourplaceinthemountains.com or call 870-269-5004 for details.

Also offered this weekend is Irish Music and Dance with St. Louis Irish Arts. Irish traditions have a significant influence on Ozark culture. St. Louis Irish Arts brings a lively group of young people trained in traditional Irish folk music and dance. The concert is held at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com or call 870-269-3851 for admission information.

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Offered annually on Father’s Day weekend, the 12th annual Turpentine Creek Pow Wow is June 18-20 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. It begins at 3 p.m. on Friday and ends at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Located on the main plateau of the refuge overlooking the beautiful Ozark Mountains, it is a fun event for all ages. The excitement of live drumming, chanting, and dancing spans from day to evening. Festivities include Inter-Tribal Dance contests, singers, drummers, crafts, American Indian cuisine, and more.

The refuge is located seven miles south of Eureka Springs on scenic Ark. 23. The cost is $5 daily or $10 for a weekend pass. Children ages 3 and younger enter free. Visit www.turpentinecreek.org or call 479-253-3790 for more information.

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Experience the beauty of the Ozark foothills from the water as Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas hosts a Canoeing the Black River guided float on June 19. Both novice and expert paddlers will enjoy the float trip through the countryside. To learn more phone 870-892-4708.

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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com

May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"