Travelin’ Central Arkansas: Events Taking Place During May

Kerry Kraus, travel writer
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: [email protected] or 501-682-7606.

Learn about herbs and other useful plants during an Herb Workshop May 5 at Woolly Hollow State Park in Greenbrier. Expert herbalists introduce participants to the how-to’s of gardening including when and where to plant, and how to harvest and preserve the herbs at home. The $25 session fee includes instruction, an herb handbook, and lunch. Space is limited so reservations are required. Contact the park by calling 501-679-2098 for more information.

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Take a musical tour of Tinseltown as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents Spotlight on Hollywood, May 7-8. The orchestra, conducted by Carl Topilow, performs movie theme classics from the past to today including The Wizard of Oz, The Empire Strikes Back, Psycho, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Lord of the Rings. You can also test your movie knowledge as Topilow, guest maestro and clarinetist, also conducts a trivia quiz. The Robinson Center Music Hall curtain goes up at 8 p.m. and ticket prices range from $17 to $72. Robinson Center is located at the corner of Markham and Broadway in downtown Little Rock. Visit www.ArkansasSymphony.org or phone 501-666-1761 for more information.

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Mother’s Day Weekend brings two great events to share with Mom. On Saturday, May 8, Pinnacle Mountain State Park hosts a Mother's Day Lake Cruise on Lake Maumelle. Hours are from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and advance payment is required. Admission fees are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12. Participants should gather at Jolly Roger’s Marina, 11800 Maumelle Harbour Road, in west Little Rock for departure. For more information phone 501-868-5806.

Sunday, May 9 brings the 46th Annual Quapaw Quarter Spring Tour of Historic Homes in downtown Little Rock. Five notable homes located in the Governor’s Mansion area of the Quapaw Quarter Historic District are open to the public for this one afternoon only. Properties taking part are the Turner-Ledbetter House, the Fletcher-Heiskell House, the Mayer Cottage, the Turner-Back House and the Frese Cottage. All are within easy walking distance of each other.

A favorite event of the tour that has been missing in action for a while returns this year: the evening Candlelight Gala. The 5:30 p.m. Saturday event features the tour homes, several of which serve champagne and wine, followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing in the Garth of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 West 17th Street.

Prices for the Sunday afternoon tour are $12 in advance, $15 after May 1. Admission to the evening Candlelight Gala is $100 per person. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.quapaw.com or by visiting the Little Rock Visitor Information Center, 516 East Capitol Avenue. Proceeds benefit the historic preservation efforts of the Quapaw Quarter Association.

Visit www.quapaw.com for details of each featured property and additional information. Or phone 501-371-0075.

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Attention all you animal lovers. The 11th Annual Paws on the Pavement offers you an opportunity to celebrate your love for your pet while raising money to help take care of stray and abandoned animals. Little Rock’s Murray Park is the location for the May 15 event, hosted by Alice 107.7’s Heather and D.C. Events include a 5K run, a one-mile run/walk, a dog carnival, a volleyball tournament, and vendor booths. Also slated are a dog agility show, local pet adoption groups, microchipping, and pet photographers. In honor of Armed Forces Day, race/walk registration is free to all active-duty military personnel. Proceeds benefit CARE for Animals rescue and spay/neuter efforts. For more information, visit www.careforanimals.org and www.arkansasrunner.com or call 501-603-2273.

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Experience Wild Wines of the World on May 15 at the Little Rock Zoo. One of the zoo’s most popular fundraising events, it features premiere wines and food tastings. Wines from around the world complimented by specialty foods from Little Rock's finest restaurants are on the menu. Participants will also receive a keepsake crystal wine glass to use during the evening. New this year are even more culinary and cultural avenues with a German Beer Garden, a Russian vodka bar, along with other unique foods and beverages. Hours are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event sells out every year so get your tickets early by going online at www.littlerockzoo.com/wildwines or call 501-661-7208. Prices are $40 per person for Zoo members, $50 per person for non-members. The Zoo is located at #1 Jonesboro Drive in War Memorial Park.

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Monday May 17 is a date golfers will want to mark on their calendars as two great fundraising tournaments are scheduled. The 9th annual Greekfest Easter Seals Golf Classic is at the Chenal Country Club and starts at 11 a.m. with an ethnic foods lunch. Tee time is 1 p.m. at Bear Den and Founders courses. Prizes awarded to all participants. Proceeds benefit the International Greek Food Festival and Easter Seals of Arkansas. The country club is located at 10 Chenal Club Blvd. in West Little Rock. Phone 501-227-3710 for more information.

The 6th annual Pfeifer Kiwanis Golf Classic at the Eagle Hill Golf Course is also on the 17th. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. tee time. Entry fee is $100 with proceeds going to the Pfeifer Camp for Children. Visit www.pfeifercamp.com or phone 501-821-3714 for additional details. Eagle Hill is located at 3 Eagle Hill Court.

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May 21-23 is a stellar weekend in Little Rock for those who love good food as the 26th Annual International Greek Food Festival takes place. According to organizers, the festival, held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, is the largest ethnic event in the state. A huge variety of foods homemade by church members with Greek, Armenian, Georgian, Romanian, Russian, Indian, Middle Eastern, English and American backgrounds makes this a not-to-be-missed festival. In addition to the food there is a golf tournament, tours of the church, entertainment, a kids’ area, and the Old World Market. The church is located at 1100 Napa Valley Drive. Visit http://greekfoodfest.com for a detailed schedule of events and additional information or call 501-221-5300.

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Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park, formerly Toltec Mounds State Park, at Scott will host a Star Gazing gathering on May 22 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. This off-the-beaten path archeological park provides a perfect backdrop for viewing the night skies. A park interpreter guides visitors through the spring constellations and shares Native American stories while exploring the site in a whole new way. Space is limited, reservations are required. Participants may wish to bring a blanket or lawn chair for sitting while observing stars. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-1. Under age 6 are admitted free. The park is located at 490 Toltec Mounds Road off U.S. 165. Call 501-961-9442 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

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Cabot’s 2010 Idea House is on display May 22-23 along with seven other stunning homes throughout town during the 5th annual Avenue of Dreams Home Spectacular. All homes are open for tours with a portion of proceeds benefiting Open Arms Shelter and Lonoke County Safe Haven.

“Our attendees are going to love the uniqueness of this year’s show homes offering something new, exciting and totally different from anything else ever seen, stated Rhonda House, Cabot’s Avenue of Dreams event planner. House continued, “The 2010 Idea House boasts an interior-wall water feature, a wonderful kitchen, a custom designed bedroom/playroom for grandchildren, a Razorback outdoor kitchen and so much more. Plus, one of our showcased homes has a really ‘wild game room’ complete with a 350-pound Arkansas black bear.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 at the Cabot Kroger Store at 1295 West Main. Visit www.cabotaveofdreams.com or phone 501-843-9460 for more information.

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Riverfest once again anchors down the Memorial Day Weekend in Little Rock and North Little Rock in what has become a tradition for many to kick-off the summer season. Now 33 years old, this celebration of visual and performing arts takes place May 28-30. Some of the entertainers scheduled to appear are Ludacris, Blake Shelton, Little River Band, the Robert Cray Band, Gary Allan, the Black Crowes and the Steve Miller Band. An incredible array of other activities range from dance, tumbling, martial arts and gymnastics to magic shows, Little Rock Zoo exhibits, ventriloquists and other children’s interests. The Osborne Family Fireworks end the weekend and the festival. Little Rock events take place in Riverfront Park; the North Shore River Walk hosts the North Little Rock activities.

A list of locations to purchase $15 advance tickets is available on www.riverfestarkansas.com. Children age six and under are admitted free with an adult; $5 per day for children ages 7-10.