Travelin’ the Arkansas Ozarks: Events Taking Place During May

Jill M. Rohrbach, 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. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.

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Eureka Springs will celebrate the May Festival of the Arts throughout the entire month of May. Events, activities, special exhibits, artist’s demonstrations, music and visual arts are all represented in this month-long event. This year's theme is Arts of the World.

Yard art will be displayed throughout town and spring art will be displayed at specially selected springs around town. The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Spring Arts and Crafts Fair will be May 1-3. On the same dates, the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce will hold its Arts and Crafts Faire at Pine Mountain Village.

The ARTrageous Parade will take place May 2. For book lovers, the 5th annual Books in Bloom event will be May 3. The Second Saturday Gallery Stroll will be May 9. A Kids Weekend will be May 15-17 with tons of activities for kids, including sidewalk chalk art, clowns, interactive arts and crafts and more.

The 7th annual Mid-America Photographic Symposium will be May 16-17. It will feature photographers from around the nation leading workshops and symposium sessions. Bobby Maverick, a magician and escape artist, will perform free at Basin Spring Park at various times throughout the weekend of May 22-25.

Eureka Springs Blues Weekend will be May 28-31 at venues all over town. Some of the confirmed acts include, Guitar Shorty, Hubert Sumlin & The Buddy Flett Band, Joe Louis Walker, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, EG Kight, and Candye Kane. Visitors to this Victorian town can also enjoy free music in Basin Spring Park every Friday and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The 2009 performance season for the Great Passion Play will begin on May 1 and run nightly through Oct. 24, with the exception of every Sunday and Wednesday, as well as May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 25, Aug. 10, 11, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27, and 31, and Sept. 7 and 8. Performances will begin at 8:30 p.m. from May until Labor Day, and at 7:30 p.m. from Sept. 10 until Oct. 24. Tickets are $25. For reservations and more information, visit www.greatpassionplay.com or call 800-882-7529.

Other May Festival of the Arts events include: an art auction, the art of dining, Del Costillo concert, garden club plant sale, John Two-Hawks Mother’s Day concert, performance by Boulder Acoustic Society, Temperance Tantrums dinner theater, White Street Studio Walk, Art in the Park, and Art Car Parade.
For a detailed schedule, visit www.eurekasprings.org or phone 866-947-4387.

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The 7th annual Arkansas Wine Country Bike Tour will take place May 2 in the Arkansas River Valley. Bicycle enthusiasts can ride at their own pace through scenic Arkansas Wine Country on their route of choice: 17 mile, 35 mile, 100K, 80 mile, or 100 mile. Tours will start from the Altus City Park and end at the Post Familie Winery. A champagne brunch co-sponsored by the Post Familie Winery will be available to every cyclist until 2 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Arkansas River Valley Circle of Friends and all proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. For event details and route maps, visit www.active.com or phone 479-880-7193.

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The Terra Studios and the Muse Gallery Spring Art and Music Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 2 at Terra Studios near Fayetteville. The event will feature musicians from northwest Arkansas and more than 35 regional artists showing at the Muse gallery. There will be demonstrations by glassblowers and potters. Terra Studios also contains a coffee house and art park. It is the home of the original “Bluebird of Happiness.” For more information, visit www.terrastudios.com or phone 800-255-8995.

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The 30th annual North Arkansas Woodcarvers Show and Sale will be May 2-3 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. The show features whittlers, woodcarvers, wood turners, supplies and tool vendors, demonstrations and whittling competition. There will also be purchase awards and a judged competition with ribbons and cash awards for novice to professional. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.northarkansaswoodcarvers.org or contact Sandy Smith at 870-431-8070.

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“Elderhostel, An Ozark Experience” will be offered May 3-8 and May 17-22 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Immerse yourself in tradition as you take an unhurried view of the Ozark Mountain region. Raft the lazy White River, walk in the Ozark National Forest, see a gristmill and cotton gin, enjoy living history, visit with artisans and musicians and more. Register at www.elderhostel.org. For more information, visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com or phone 870-269-3851.

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The Joe Martin Stage Race is set for May 7-10 throughout the Fayetteville area. This race is a nationally contested cycling race comprised of a 4-day, 4-event professional and a 2-day, 3-event amateur race. The race is ranked among the top-ten races on the National Racing Calendar, which is a “pro” and “elite” amateur cycling tour in the U.S.

Spectators and racers are encouraged to help celebrate this 32nd year of racing in northwest Arkansas. When the late Joe Martin began the Fayetteville Spring Classic cycle race in 1978, he might not have realized it would become one of the longest and continually held races in the country. Renamed after Martin’s death in 1988, the race has become one of the premier events on the NRC.

For more information, visit www.joemartinstagerace.com or phone Bruce Dunn at 479-521-7766. In addition to racing details, the Web site provides information on spectator viewing areas.

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The NWA Green Expo is a free two-day event to provide information about sustainable products and services in the area along with green living techniques and family activities. The expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Benton County Fair Grounds.

The expo will include green seminars and workshops by experts in the field, eco-friendly businesses and services information, vendor product displays, and an outdoor food pavilion.

For more information, visit www.nwagreenexpo.com or phone Nancy Desler at 479-273-2841.

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The Ozark Birders’ Springtime Retreat will be May 8-10 at Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals. The retreat offers activities for everyone from beginner to advanced birders including guided walks, evening programs, basic birding clinics, lake and river cruises and children’s programs. Admission is free except for the lake and river cruises. For more information, phone 870-445-3629.

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The 27th annual Fair on the Square in Kingston will be May 9. Activities will include a parade, children’s games, magic show, live music all day, door prizes, 50 craft and food booths, a yard tractor pull and more. Parking and admission are free. For more information, phone 870-420-3731.

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The FLW Tour, named for bass fishing legend Forrest L. Wood, will be May 13-17 in Rogers. The tour is a traditional stop on the FLW Tour, a professional $1.5 million bass fishing tournament held annually on Beaver Lake. Professional and amateur anglers pair to win money and prizes. The community is invited to meet the pros, enjoy a Family fun zone and receive free giveaways. For more information, visit www.flwoutdoors.com or phone Terry Grafton at 270-252-1568.

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The 7th annual Ozark Volkswagen Festival is set for May 15-16 at Taylor’s Sons of the Ozarks in Mountain View. The festival includes a show and swap meet. Bring your Volkswagen and your family and cruise the Ozarks. There will be prizes, trophies and music. For more information, phone 870-269-8068 or visit www.YourPlaceInMountains.com.

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The 14th annual Greening of the Garden will be May 14 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville. Guests can enjoy music and stroll through the nine theme gardens on the grounds. There will also be hors d’ oeuvres, drinks, dinner, dessert, a raffle, and open bidding on live and silent auction items. Tickets are $50. For more information, phone 479-750-2620 or visit www.bgozarks.org.

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Attended by thousands each year, the Crawdad Days Music Festival in Harrison is held the third weekend of May around the banks of Lake Harrison and the downtown historic square. This year the festival will be May 15-16.

The Crawdad Days Music Festival began 18 years ago as a one-day event. It now offers something for the entire family and vendors include food, crafts, clothing items and the star attraction – crawfish. Activities will include a 5K run, cardboard boat race, horseshoe tournament, car show, children’s performances, food, music and tennis tournament.

For more information, visit www.crawdaddys.com or phone 870-741-2659. Admission is free.

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The Arkansas Muzzleloading Association State Championship will be May 15-17 at Luther Owens Park in Berryville. A variety of black powder competitions for pistols, rifles and shotguns, this is a traditional event with deep roots in the region. For more information, visit www.berryvillear.com or phone 870-423-4741. Admission is free to spectators.

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Blanchard Springs Caverns will offer a Photo Tour of the Discovery Trail on May 16 in Mountain View. This four-hour tour allows enough time for timed exposures and other photo tools and techniques. Participants should bring their own tripods. This is not an instructional class.

The Discovery Trail is strenuous, involving many stair steps, both up and down, on paved trails. The caverns stay at a constant 58 degrees. The tour is limited to the first ten people that provide advance payment. Reservations and advance payment are required, and are on a first come, first served basis. Admission is $20 per person. Payment may be by check, cash, or credit card. Visit www.blanchardcavetours.com for more information, or call 888-757-2246.

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Gaston’s White River Fly School is set for May 16-17 at the conference lodge at Gaston’s White River Resort in Lakeview. The school is for people who would like to learn the basics and history of fly fishing. Frank Saksa will teach six people at a time, providing for personal attention and instruction. For more information, visit www.gastons.com or phone 870-431-5202.

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Solar Splash will take place May 27-31 on Lake Fayetteville in Fayetteville. The event is a world championship of intercollegiate solar/electric boating. Technical inspections of the crafts are done on the first day and the remainder of the time is occupied by five competitive events on the water. For more information, visit www.solarsplash.com or phone 800-766-4626.

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Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish will perform May 22 at The Arkansas Music Pavilion in Fayetteville. Rucker will perform his new hit singles on the country charts as well as his classics from Hootie and the Blowfish. The AMP is an outdoor amphitheater located at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Admission ranges from $20 to $40 depending on seating.

Also at The AMP in May will be Queensrÿche on the 27th. Bringing its unique metal/rock hits to the region, Queensrÿche will perform “Extended Suites: Rage For Order/American Soldier/Empire.” Admission ranges from $20 to $75.

For more information and a schedule of all shows at The AMP, visit www.arkansasmusicpavilion.com or phone 479-521-5787.

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Madness in May, a four-wheel drive competition, will take place on May 22-24 at Byrd’s Adventure Center in Ozark. Drivers compete on mountain climbs, rock crawling, barrel races, and mud runs. Byrd's boasts one of the most challenging four-wheel drive obstacle courses in the nation. The course is host to one of the competitions in the nationally known Ramsey "Top Truck Champion Series," and the annual Rockcrawlers 4x4 Club's "Rocktoberfest" event.

Byrd's offers everything from hiking, biking, and extreme motor trails, to climbing, canoeing, and kayaking. To compliment its canoe rentals, Byrd’s offers shuttle services, river information and wet-suit rentals. Byrd's campground has more than 45 sites, many with electrical hookups and pavilions. There are dozens of primitive sites for the more rustic campers. The campground has restrooms with hot showers.

For more information, visit www.byrdsadventurecenter.com or phone 479-667-4066.

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Rock & Rumble in The Ozarks is the name of the 2009 Arkansas State H.O.G. Rally set for May 28-30 in Rogers. The Harley Owners Group will be based at the John Q. Hammond Center. The rally will offer some of the most scenic riding in the country with guided and unguided rides available. Organized events will include the chapter challenge, bike games, the walking dice stroll, poker runs and more. Live music is scheduled for all three nights. For more information and to register, visit www.arstatehogrally.com.

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Guitar Shorty, Hubert Sumlin & the Buddy Flett Band, and Joe Louis Walker will headline evening shows at The Auditorium during the 2009 Eureka Springs Blues Weekend on May 28-31.

Other headliners appearing throughout the weekend include EG Kight, Moreland & Arbuckle, Mary Flower, RJ Mischo, Lee McBee & the Confessors, Deanna Bogart and John Nemeth. Also, International Blues Challenge winner JP Soars & the Red Hots and Ozarks Blues Society Blues Challenge winners Oreo Blue and Kory Montgomery & Isayah Warford will be opening acts. For acoustic guitar lovers, Delta blues legend David “Honeyboy” Edwards will play the afternoon of May 30.

Shows will also be held throughout the weekend in the 1905 Basin Park Hotel's Barefoot Ballroom and Ozark Room, Basin Spring Park, and at various clubs and restaurants around Eureka Springs.

This year’s Blues Weekend will be a fundraiser for The Blues Foundation’s Handy Artist Relief Trust and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The HART fund provides assistance to musicians in need, including acute, chronic and preventive medical and dental care, as well as funeral expenses. For more information, please visit www.Blues.org. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles south of Eureka Springs on Highway 23. It provides lifetime refuge to abandoned, abused, and neglected "Big Cats," with emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. Natural habitats have been built over the past decade to allow the "Lions, Tigers and Bears" to live in more natural surroundings. For more information, please visit www.TurpentineCreek.org.