Travelin' the Ouachitas: Events Taking Place During June

Zoie Clift, 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: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.

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A Guide to Fishing happens June 1, 8, 15, and 22 at Lake Ouachita State Park in Mountain Pine. Talk all things fishing with Larry Hurley, professional fishing guide and host of the television show, Another Day Fishing. Hurley shares information on fishing in Arkansas with special emphasis on fishing in Lake Ouachita. More details can be found at 501-767-9366.

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The 33rd annual Lum & Abner Festival takes place June 4-5 at Janssen Park in Mena. The event has arts and crafts, live entertainment, a barbecue cook-off, fishing derbies, a 5K run, a car show, live re-enactments of the Lum & Abner Radio Show, and more. Additional information can be found at 479-394-8355 or at www.visitmena.com.

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The Witness, Arkansas' only musical passion play, is the musical drama of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as narrated and sung by the Apostle Peter with an accompanying chorus of Galilean villagers. The Witness 30th Season Opening Weekend Celebration takes place June 4-5 in Hot Springs. Shows are performed most Friday and Saturday evenings through Oct. 23 in an outdoor amphitheater. Check the calendar or call ahead for a list of scheduled performances.For more information call 501-623-9781 or visit www.witnessproductions.com.

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Mena hosts a Peak-to-Peak Poker Run June 5. Ride the scenic roads of Arkansas as you travel from Queen Wilhelmina State Park to Mount Magazine State Park. In between are scenic highways, national forests and beautiful countryside. For more details call 479-394-2863 or visit www.queenwilhelmina.com.

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National Trails Day is June 5 and Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs is celebrating with a Take a Hike Weekend. The park has three hiking trails that consist of 9 miles of terrain that include views of the lake, the Ouachita Mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and more. Join park interpreters for guided hikes and nature demonstrations. More information can be found by calling 501-844-4176.

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Summer Science Day Camp, Robots, Robots, Everywhere Robots, takes place June 14-17 at Mid-America Museum in Hot Springs. Learn to build robots and program them to maneuver through a jungle. The event is catered to residents that want a four-day camp for the kids and visitors that want to drop the kids off for three hours and explore on their own. Pre-registration is required and admission is $30 per day. More information can be found by visiting www.midamericamuseum.org.

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Celebrate John Huddleston's 1906 discovery of diamonds in Pike County during the 27th annual John Huddleston Day June 19 at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. This is the park's signature special event. Contact the park for a detailed schedule at 870-285-3113 or visit www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com.

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The 30th annual Malvern Brickfest is June 24-26 in Malvern at City Park. There will be live entertainment, a 5K race, a car and tractor show, motorcycle show, and awards for best dressed brick, brick toss, brick car derby, and more. For more information call 501-332-2721 or visit www.malvernbrickfest.com.

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