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Top Events & Festivals in Arkansas |
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The Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock
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Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in Helena West-Helena
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Cardboard Boat Festival in Heber Springs
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Chuckwagon Races in Clinton
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Toad Suck Daze in Conway
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Jonquils at Historic Washington State Park
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Hope Watermelon Festival
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Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in Helena West-Helena
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Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
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Arkansas Folk Festival in Mountain View
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Museum of Automobiles in Morrilton
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Racing at Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs
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Johnson County Peach Festival in Clarksville
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Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival
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Clothesline Fair at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
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World’s Championship Rotary Tiller Race, Emerson Purple Hull Pea Festival
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Lights of the Ozarks Festival in Fayetteville
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Riverfest in Little Rock and North Little Rock
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World’s Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hot Springs
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World Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart
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Tontitown Grape Festival
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War Eagle Fair in Hindsville
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Wiederkehr Weinfest in Wiederkehr Village
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World Championship Steak Cook-Off in Magnolia
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Beanfest and Outhouse Race in Mountain View
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January 15- April 10: Thoroughbred Racing at Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs. Enjoy some of Mid-America’s finest thoroughbred racing at a first-rate track. Oaklawn offers a variety of dining options and simulcast and instant racing the remainder of the year. Oaklawn begins its 106th year this season with exciting stakes races, The park’s "Racing Festival of the South" attracts the nation's top horses and the Arkansas Derby winner becomes eligible for the famous Triple Crown. CONTACT: 1-800-OAKLAWN; www.oaklawn.com
March 17: The First Ever Seventh Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs. Celebrity Grand Marshal Bo Derek, green fireworks, Irish belly dancers, floats, Irish Order of Elvi (a group of Elvis look-alikes), marchers, Irish Wolfhounds, and more. Held on historic Bridge Street, which became famous in the 1940's when Ripley's Believe It or Not designated it "The Shortest Street in the World." CONTACT: 501-321-2851; www.hotsprings.org.
March 19-21: Annual Jonquil Festival, Washington (Historic Washington State Park). Celebration of spring in a 19th-century restoration village features thousands of blooming jonquils, many planted by early settlers; over 100 craft vendors; musicians performing varied types of music; surrey rides; food vendors, special interpretive programs and historic tours; buffet meal at Williams' Tavern Restaurant; other added attractions. CONTACT: P.O. Box 129, Washington 71862. 870-983-2684; www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com
April 15-17: Annual Arkansas Folk Festival, Mountain View (Court Square, Ozark Folk Center State Park). Townspeople and visitors salute the folk culture of the Ozarks with musical performances and dancing on the Courthouse Square, parade, crafts demonstrations, and a rodeo. CONTACT: Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, P.O. Box 133, Mountain View 72560. 870-269-8098;
www.yourplaceinthemountains.com
April 30-May 2: Annual Toad Suck Daze, Conway (Downtown). Features the world famous toad jumping contest, toad hop, cake walk, baby crawl, children’s tricycle race, karate exhibition, softball, kiddie rides, arts and crafts, auction, square dancing, hymnfest, tug-o-war, fireworks. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, 900 Oak Street, Conway 72032. 501-327-7788. www.toadsuck.org;
toadsuck@ConwayArkansas.org
May 14-15: Annual Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship Steak Cook-Off, Magnolia. Arts, crafts, sidewalk art show and sale, 5K run, fun run, fishing tournament, food booths, gospel singing, live entertainment, championship steak cook-off. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 866, Magnolia, 71754-0866. Phone: 870 234-4352; www.blossomfestival.org
May 28-30: Annual Riverfest, Little Rock (Riverfront Park) and North Little Rock (North Shore Riverwalk). Arkansas’s largest arts and food festival features all types of music, dance, theatre, and food; Kidstuff area just for children, arts and crafts, and fireworks. CONTACT: Riverfest, 500 President Clinton Avenue, Suite 217, Little Rock 72201. 501-255-3378; www.riverfestarkansas.com; director@riverfestarkansas.com.
May 30-June 12: Hot Springs Music Festival, Hot Springs. Brings together over 250 international musicians. Over the course of the festival 20 concerts and over 250 open rehearsals are available to enjoy. The festival takes place in a variety of non-traditional venues including historic buildings, art galleries, and open air spaces. CONTACT: 603 Prospect Ave., Hot Springs National Park, 71901-3918. 501-623-4763. www.hotmusic.org.
June 6-12: Annual Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, Warren. All-tomato luncheon, tomato eating and packing contests, carnival, parade, Miss Pink Tomato pageant, arts, crafts, antique car show, live music and street dance. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, 206 N. Myrtle, Warren 71671. 870-226-5225; www.bradleychamber.org
June 15-20: Annual Antique Auto Show & Swap Meet, The Museum of Automobiles, Morrilton (Petit Jean Mountain). Over 100 antique and classic cars compete for awards in various categories, from turn-of-the-19th century to 1982 models. About 800 antique cars for sale. Over 1,000 vendor spaces filled with antique cars, parts and related items; arts and crafts section. Food vendors. CONTACT: The Museum of Automobiles, 8 Jones Lane, Morrilton 72110. 501-727-5427;
www.motaa.com
June 17-20: Annual Johnson County Peach Festival, Clarksville. Peach seed spitting and peach eating contests; peach cobbler, jam and jelly bake-offs; horseshoe pitching, Miss Arkansas Valley, Queen Elberta, and Princess Elberta pageants, fiddlers contest, kid’s games, street dance, 4-mile run, terrapin race, water balloon toss, greased pig chase, banana split contest, bass tournament. CONTACT: Johnson County Peach Festival Association, P.O. Box 517, Clarksville, 72830, 479-754-9152.; http://jocopeachfestival.8m.com/
June 25-26: Annual Purple Hull Pea Festival & World’s Championship Rotary Tiller Race, Emerson. Rotary tiller racing highlighted by “souped up” tillers; pea shelling contest; purple hull pea cook-off; pea dinner; purple hull pea booth; 5K run; arts, crafts and entertainment; domino, 3-on-3 basketball and horseshoe tournaments; children's events; street dance. CONTACT: City of Emerson, P.O. Box 1, Emerson 71740. Phone: 870 547-3500; www.purplehull.com
July 1-4: Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks, Springdale (Parsons Stadium). Authentic stagecoach rides, good food and entertainment at the Stagecoach Inn one week prior to the rodeo; two rodeo parades; over 500 contestants and professional athletes will compete in six PRCA and WPRA sanctioned events -- Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronco Riding and the popular Bull Riding. Old West Film Fest; John Shaddox Wagon Train; Monster Trucks. CONTACT: Parsons Stadium, 1423 E. Emma, Springdale 72764; 1-877-92-RODEO,
http://parsonsstadium.com/.
July 31: Annual World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, Heber Springs (Greers Ferry Lake). Put your creative talents – and boat building skills – to the test at this event. There are three divisions of competition in both adult and children’s races including one or two person, team and mechanical. All participants race a 200-yard-course. Past entries have been USS battleships, planes, trains and even the Starship Enterprise. Trophies awarded include the Pride of the Fleet, the Titantic Award, plus first, second and third places in each division for speed. Other activities include a tug of war, a watermelon eating contest, a treasure dig for kids, sand sculpting and the Cardboard Boat Demolition Derby. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, 1001 West Main Street, Heber Springs 72543. 501-362-2444, toll free 1-800-774-3237; www.heber-springs.com; chamber@heber-springs.com.
August 12-14: Annual Hope Watermelon Festival, Hope (Fair Park). Watermelon eating and seed spitting contests; Watermelon Olympics; variety of live music all four days; fishing, archery, arm-wrestling and horseshoe tournaments; 5K run; more than 300 craft booths; food booths; antique engine and car shows; motorcycle show. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 250, Hope 71802. Phone: 870 777-3640; www.hopemelonfest.com
Aug. 17-21: Annual Tontitown Grape Festival, Tontitown. More than 6,000 lbs. of homemade pasta and sauce will be sold or served at the Italian spaghetti dinners, more than 100 crafts exhibitors, biathlon, entertainment, Queen Concordia pageant, plus nightly carnival. CONTACT: Tontitown Grape Festival, P.O. Box 364, Tontitown 72770. 479-361-2615;
www.tontitowngrapefestival.com.
Sept. 3-5: Annual National Championship Chuck Wagon Races, Clinton. Chuck wagon races, Snowy River Race, bronc fanning, Western music and dances, trail rides, non-denominational church services on Sunday morning, barn dances, Western trade show, music, food. CONTACT: Dan and Peggy Eoff, 2848 Shake Rag Road, Clinton 72031. 501-745-8407; www.chuckwagonraces.com.
Sept. 4-6: Annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair, Prairie Grove (Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park). More than 250 arts and crafts exhibitors are spread out over the historic battleground, parade, folk, bluegrass, gospel and country music, square dancing exhibitions and competitions, fun run, 5-K race, food concessions. CONTACT: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, 506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove 72753. 479-846-2990; www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
Sept. 24-25: Annual Wiederkehr Weinfest, Wiederkehr Village. Tours of the winery, wine tastings, music, food, entertainment, vineyard and wine cellar tours, polka lessons, grape stomping contest, arts, crafts. CONTACT: Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, 3324 Swiss Family Dr., Wiederkehr Village 72821. 1-800-622-9463; www.wiederkehrwines.com.
Oct. 1-3: Annual Arkansas Apple Festival, Lincoln. Apple core throwing, Apple Harvest Queen pageant, parade, square dancing, cloggers, gospel singing, arts, crafts. CONTACT: Arkansas Apple Festival Comm., P.O. Box 382, Lincoln 72744. 479-824-FEST; www.arkansasapplefestival.org.
October 7-9: Annual Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival (formerly the King Biscuit Blues Festival), Historic Helena (Downtown Historic District). The festival marks its 25th year in 2010. Three days of free live concerts featuring legendary performers from Helena’s Delta blues heyday, leading contemporary blues acts and emerging blues practitioners; barbecue cook-off; 5-K run; food vendors; arts and crafts market. CONTACT: Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, P.O. Box 118, Helena 72342. www.bluesandheritagefest.com
October 8-9: The Legends Balloon Rally, Hot Springs. Included balloon launch and Balloon Glow. CONTACT: 501-321-2277; www.hotsprings.org
October 8-17: Annual Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show, Little Rock (State Fairgrounds and Barton Coliseum). The state’s largest event features 10 days of livestock shows, commercial and educational exhibits, a variety of concerts, rodeo, carnival, 10-acre midway with rides and games, arts, crafts, clowns, magicians, strolling musicians, talent and queen contests. CONTACT: Arkansas State Fair Association, 2600 Howard St., Little Rock 72206. 501-372-8341; www.arkansasstatefair.com/; events@asfg.net.
Oct. 14-17: Annual Fall War Eagle Fair, Hindsville (War Eagle Mill Farm). 500 booths of baskets, quilts, woodwork, pottery, furniture, wood carving, toys, leather, books, candles, weaving, jams and jellies, and food are displayed under circus style tents on the historic farm grounds. One of the most highly respected crafts fairs in the country. CONTACT: Ozark Arts & Crafts Fair Association, War Eagle Mills Farm, 11036 High Sky Inn Rd, Hindsville, AR 72738 479-789-5398; www.wareaglefair.com
Oct. 14-17: Annual Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Festival, Bella Vista. Approximately 350 quality arts and craftspeople display and sell their wares, food vendors, kids' activities, musical entertainment. All goods made by the exhibitor. CONTACT: Bella Vista Festival, P.O. Box 5009, Bella Vista 72714. 479-855-2064; www.bellavistafestival.org.
Oct. 29-31: Annual Beanfest and Great Arkansas Championship Outhouse Race, Mountain View (Court Square). Outhouse races, most original outhouse and most creatively dressed outhouse driver contests, free beans and cornbread luncheon, music, entertainment, children’s games. CONTACT: Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, P.O. Box 133, Mountain View 72560. 870-269-8098; www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.
October: Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Hot Springs. Ten-day festival features screenings of over 90 domestic and international documentary films including Academy Award-winning and nominated films. It is the oldest documentary film institute in the nation and second only to Amsterdam internationally. Events include forums and lectures, question and answer sessions with filmmakers following many screenings, a gala banquet and visiting scholars and celebrities. CONTACT: HSDFI, 819 Central Avenue, Hot Springs 71901. Phone: 501-321-4747; www.hsdfi.org
November 20-28: Annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival, Stuttgart (Main Street). The 75th annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest; World’s Championship Duck Gumbo Cook-off; annual Queen Mallard pageant; carnival; 10K race; sporting goods and collectibles shows; arts and crafts; commercial exhibits. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1500, Stuttgart 72160. 870-673-1602;
www.stuttgartarkansas.org.
Nov. 20-Dec. 31: Annual Lights of the Ozarks Festival, Fayetteville. More than 300 miles of lights illuminate the historic downtown square and surrounding area, from northern to southern boundaries. Old Main, a landmark on the University of Arkansas main campus, is also outlined in lights. CONTACT: Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 4216, Fayetteville 72702. 479-521-1710; www.experiencefayetteville.com.