Travelin’ Central Arkansas: Events Taking Place During September

August 20, 2009

Kerry Kraus, travel writer
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.
 

September 5 and 6 are the dates for the Southern Nationals Pro Disc Golf Championship to be held at Burns Park Disc Golf Course in North Little Rock. Winners from a series of tournaments held throughout the South compete in the finals. Disc golf is similar to traditional golf except the players use flying discs instead of clubs and balls. Competitors start at a tee and throw the disc toward a target, a standing object instead of a hole. Visit www.sndg.org or contact John Kittrell at johnk@sndg.org or call 251-599-2267 for information.
 

Conway will celebrate the memory of Kelly Bass with Kelly’s Bass Kickin’ 5K and Lit’l Minnow Run Sept. 7. Kelly, an avid cross country runner, was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2007. The event will be held at Conway High School West at 2300 Prince Street. Organizers have added a Little Minnow race for ages 10 and under so all ages can participate. Scheduled special guest and master of ceremonies is Steve “Wildman” Wilson from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Proceeds from the race benefit three worthy causes: a fund to buy athletic shoes for Conway High School students; youth programs run by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; and a scholarship fund for a Conway cross country runner. Visit www.KellysBassKickin5k.org for more information or contact Greg Moss at kbk5k@gregmossrealtor.com or 501-733-2505.
 

Hot rods and street machines converge on Little Rock and North Little Rock the second weekend in Sept. The Street Machine Nationals will be in Little Rock will be Sept. 11–13 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds Complex off Roosevelt Road. Over 1,700 vehicles are expected to participate. Activities include a dyno challenge, a burnout competition, show-n-shine, classic car auction, a marketplace and a family fun zone. Visit www.streetmachinenationals.net/ or contact the Angela Rogers Group at angela@angelarogersgroup.com or 501-975-1958 for more details.

On Sept. 12, North Little Rock will host Rods in the Rock at the Simmons Bank Arena parking lot. The Auto Poker Run takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the high hand winning $1,000 and low hand $500. There will be a scenic run, door prizes, trophy for "Best of Show," and a hamburger cookout. Registration fee includes lunch for driver and one "shotgun rider." Download the registration form by going to www.aeddinc.org/Poker_Run.html. Proceeds benefit the Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled Auxiliary. For more information phone 501-666-0246.
 

Discover the fun of being ecologically responsible at Conway’s EcoFest Sept. 12. Since most choices made by humans impact the environment in one way or another, this highly interactive event demonstrates to all ages a better understanding of these actions. Eco friendly programs implemented by Conway, such as the Tree City program, local organic farming and marketing, parks and trails, alternative transportation, green city planning and recycling, will be showcased. A highlight of the event is the Cardboard Car Derby AKA-Formula EGP. Other activities include a family bike ride, GPS scavenger hunt, a relay race, eco tours, showing of environmental film documentaries, round table discussions and a business crawl. EcoFest will be held at Laurel Park, 2200 block of Prince Street across from the Conway High School West campus. Admission is free. Visit www.conwayecofest.com for detailed information or contact Debbie Plopper at conwayecofest@gmail.com or 501-327-2105.
 

The onslaught of autumn is celebrated in Sherwood with the 33rd annual Sherwood Fall Festival, Sept. 19. All events take place at the Sherwood Forest complex, including arts, crafts and food vendors, local entertainment, activities just for children, a cute kids contest, and karaoke. There is no admission fee. Sherwood Forest is located 1111 West Maryland Avenue. For more information contact Marie Bland at marie@sherwoodparks.com or 501-835-8909.
 

One of the best things about autumn, besides cooler temperatures, is all the special activities that only take place during this season. The 5th Annual Schaefers' Corn Maze will be held Sept. 19-Nov. 1 at the Schaefers’ Farm northwest of Mayflower. The annual fall extravaganza features a large and a small corn maze, hay rides, a corn cannon, a bonfire, a corn maze express for younger children, plus corn and sand piles. A commercial playground, horseshoes and tricycles along with a little tyke play area will be available. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $5 for children ages three to five. Kids ages two and under are admitted free. Hay rides are $3 per person with group rates available. The maze is located at 863 Lollie Road. For more information visit www.schaeferscornmaze.com, e-mail patbob65@cycberback.com or call 501-269-7903.
 

If you’re a fan of Iron Chef or Chopped television shows, then make plans to attend the Arkansas Chef’s Culinary Classic Sept. 22 and the Iron Chef Competition Sept. 23 and 24 at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. Sponsored by the Arkansas Hospitality Association, some of Arkansas’s finest chefs compete in soup/salad, appetizer, dessert, and entrée categories during the Culinary Classic. Much like the Iron Chef television show, a selection of the state’s most talented chefs put their skills to the test as they race the clock using only products provided plus a mystery protein. Admission to the Culinary Classic is $45; admission to Iron Chef is $5 at the door. For more information visit the Arkansas Hospitality Association Web site, www.arhospitality.org; e-mail holly@arhospitality.org or phone 501-376-2323.
 

September 25: the wait is finally over as the World of Pharaohs: Treasurers of Egypt Revealed exhibition opens at the Arkansas Arts Center in downtown Little Rock. This amazing exhibit, presented in conjunction with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, “explores the long-vanished world of ancient Egypt and the pyramids.” It includes more than 200 incredible objects including a colossus of Ramses II, Egyptian arts, amulets and jewelry, statues, stone objects and artifacts. The display will be viewable until July 5, 2010.

Information about individual or group tickets, along with reservations, is available by calling 501-372-4000 or 800-264-2787. A special price for school groups is also being offered and information can be obtained by visiting http://pharaoh.arkarts.com/ to get an idea of what this once-in-a-lifetime show is all about.

Being held in conjunction with the exhibit is Exotic Lands--Europe Imagines Egypt and the East, Sept. 25-Nov. 22. This art exhibition explores the fascination with artwork from the Middle East and Northern Africa, which have become known as Orientalism. Works of artists from as early as the 16th century, including Paul Cezanne, Eugene Delacroix and Paul Signac, will be on display. The Arkansas Arts Center is located at 501 East 9th Street in historic MacArthur Park. Visit www.arkarts.com or call 501-372-4000 for more information.
 

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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"