Travelin’ the Southern Arkansas Timberlands: Events Taking Place During May

Zoie Clift, 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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The 39th Annual Hamburg Armadillo Festival takes place May 1-3 in Hamburg. The town has many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places including the Ashley County Museum, the Watson-Sawyer House and the W.R. Bunkley House. For more information, visit www.armadillofestival.com or call 870-853-8345.

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Music, entertainment, a car show, a BBQ cook-off, tractors, arts and crafts, food vendors and more will be part of the 4th Annual Peach Blossom Festival May 2 in Nashville. The town is located at the base of the Ouachita foothills and was once a major center for peach trade in the state. One of the largest dinosaur trackways in the world was discovered a few miles from town. For more details call 870-845-1262.

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Bluegrass music by local, regional and nationally known performers will take place May 9 during the 3rd Annual Hope Chamber of Commerce Free Bluegrass Festival at Fair Park in Hope. For more information visit www.hopemelonfest.com or call Mark Keith at 870-777-3640.

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The Whistlestop Festival takes place May 9 in Ashdown and will include a 5K run and walk, catfish and hushpuppy cook-off, catfish tournament, antique cars, live entertainment, kid’s activities, arts, crafts and food. For more details visit www.littlerivercounty.org or call 870-898-9080.

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Enjoy an old-fashioned riding tour in a covered wagon through peach and plum orchards, muscadine and scuppernong vineyards, blueberry and blooming blackberry patches during Fruit Tours at Suzanne’s Fruit Farm May 14-June 12 in Hampton. Tour guides will explain the history of the Arkansas fruit industry as well as how these crops are grown and harvested. Call ahead for group reservations. For more information, visit www.suzannesfruitfarm.com or call 870-798-4975.

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The 21st Annual Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-Off happens May 15-16 in Magnolia. Along with over 5,000 steaks there will be a sidewalk art show, craft show, live entertainment, a 5K race, fishing tournament, car show, motorcycle show, parade of cookers and more. For more details, check out www.blossomfestival.org or call 870-234-4352.

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May 23 is the date of the Big Bass Festival in De Queen. The fishing tournament is held on the tri-lakes of De Queen, Gillham and Dierks. There will be over $11,000 in cash and prizes awarded. There is a $45 entry fee. Check out dequeenchamberofcommerce.com for more information or call 870-584-3225.

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If you are into motorcycles, mark May 30 on your calendar. The Peak to Peak Poker Run will take riders from Queen Wilhelmina State Park to Mount Magazine State Park. Ride beings at 9 a.m. from the lodge at Queen Wilhelmina. The winding route through the mountains will take riders from the state’s second highest peak to the tallest. The riders will pick up five beads along the way. At the end of the route they will trade their beads for read cards and a chance at prizes and money based on the hand. All vehicles are welcome and registration is $20 for one rider and $10 extra for a passenger. Contact 1-800-264-2477 for more information. A route map will be provided at registration.