Arkansas Media Room

May 7, 2009

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

In recognition of the positive economic, social, and cultural impact of the travel and tourism industry, Arkansas will celebrate May 9 - 17 as Tourism Week. Monday, May 11, will be celebrated as Arkansas Tourist Appreciation Day in honor of the travelers who actually make that impact happen.

In 2008, nearly 24 million visitors traveled in Arkansas, spending an estimated $5.5 billion, which generated $290 million in state taxes and $105 million in local taxes.

Across the state, communities are planning to salute Tourism Week in a variety of ways. Following is a list of places and activities planned:

* Batesville: The Ozark Gateway Region will celebrate Tourism Week on Monday, May 11, from 1:30 until 6:00 p.m. at Main Street Batesville Pocket Park. Richard Davies, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s executive director, will be the featured speaker at 1:30 p.m. along with Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh and Independence County Judge Bill Hicks. Musical entertainment will be provided during the afternoon and booths featuring crafts and tourism attractions from across the region will be displayed. Booths featuring Arkansaw Traveler Candy and other food items, as well as small putt golf, will be offered. Local KWOZ Arkansas 103 radio station will be broadcasting with a live remote. For more information, contact Cathy Drew, Ozark Gateway Region director, at 800-264-0316 or e-mail gateway@ozarkgateway.com.

* Bentonville: Arkansas Tourist Appreciation Day will be observed on Monday, May 11, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served and one lucky visitor will take home a gift basket. Everyone is invited to pick up a 2009 Vacation Planning Kit. Arkansas lapel pins and bumper stickers will also be given out. For more information, contact Phyllis Spradlin, Bentonville Welcome Center manager, at 479-855-3111.

* Blytheville: On Thursday, May 14, staff at the Arkansas Welcome Center in Blytheville will celebrate Arkansas Tourist Appreciation Day in their new Welcome Center facility, by serving doughnuts, coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water to visitors from 9 a.m. until noon. Arkansas state pins and litterbags will be given to visitors. For more information, contact Diane James, Blytheville Welcome Center manager, at 870-762-2512.

* Camden: Camden will celebrate Tourism Week on Saturday, May 16, at the Riverwalk from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The See Arkansas First RV will be on hand and visitors can register to win one of many prizes such as a Honda Rancher 4x4 ATV, Schwinn Super Sport Hybrid Bicycle, North Face camping equipment, and a Riot Quest Kayak. Free hot dogs and soft drinks will be served. The Camden Police Department will fingerprint kids, and the Camden Fire Department will host Fire Safety House. The Ducktona 5000 Duck Race begins at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Rebecca Hiatt, Camden Area Chamber of Commerce, at 870-836-6426.

* Clarendon: The City of Clarendon is celebrating Tourism Week with a Family Fun Day on Friday, May 16. The day begins with a Fishing Derby from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. Games and activities for kids will be offered from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Cokes, hot dogs, and chips will be sold throughout the morning.

* Clarksville: Clarksville is recognizing Tourism Week by asking businesses to put tourism-related messages on their marquees and to have employees wear red to show the strength of the industry. KARV Radio and local news outlets are featuring stories on the importance of tourism to the area.

* Corning: Corning Welcome Center will honor Tourism Week on Tuesday, May 12, by serving home-baked cookies, soft drinks, and coffee between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Individual packets of Arkansas Riceland rice will be distributed to visitors. For more information, contact Phyllis Burrow, Corning Welcome Center manager, at (870) 857-6014.

* El Dorado: The El Dorado Welcome Center will celebrate Tourism Week on Friday, May 15 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. State and local officials will be on hand to welcome visitors. Radio station KIX103 will be broadcasting live. Lunch, refreshments, T-shirts, and the new travel posters by artist Matt McLeod will be distributed to guests. Representatives from the “See Arkansas First” campaign will be on hand and visitors can register to win one of many prizes such as a Honda Rancher 4x4 ATV, Schwinn Super Sport Hybrid Bicycle, North Face camping equipment, and a Riot Quest Kayak. Food and drinks will be served. For more information, visit www.GoElDorado.com or contact Barbara Cutter, El Dorado Welcome Center manager, at 870-881-9160.

* Fayetteville: Fayetteville is celebrating Tourism Week by hosting a “Discover Fayetteville” photo scavenger hunt. Participants can pick up clues starting May 7 from the Fayetteville Visitors Center, Experience Fayetteville Facebook group, or the Fayetteville, AR Facebook fan page. Participants must turn in photographs of the correct answers to 10 of the 20 total clues by May 14 to be entered in a drawing for a gift basket. Prizes will also be awarded for best and funniest photographs. Local NBC affiliate KNWA will be featuring local attractions on their broadcasts each morning May 11-15. For more information, contact Allyson Twiggs Dyer with the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau at 479-521-5776.

* Fort Smith: Fort Smith is celebrating Tourism Week on Thursday, May 14, from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. with the 2nd Annual Fort Smith Showcase and the 6th Annual R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Outstanding Service Excellence) Awards program. The event brings local area hospitality and tourism businesses together in one place to exhibit their products and services in a showcase format with an hors d’oeuvres reception and entertainment. The five R.O.S.E. award categories include: Hometown Hospitality Hero, Hospitality Person, Hospitality Partner, Corporate Partner, and Guest Service Provider. For more information, contact Ramona Moon, Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau; 479-459-6304.

* Harrisburg: Harrisburg will celebrate Tourism Week in conjunction with their Festival on the Ridge, Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. The festival features funnel cakes, burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, crawfish, live musical entertainment, and games all day. For more information, call 870-578-4412.

* Harrison: The Harrison Welcome Center will celebrate Tourist Appreciation Day on Monday, May 11. Local, state, and city officials will be in attendance. Mayor Pat Moles will proclaim the week as Harrison Tourism Week by reading a proclamation at 11 a.m. Radio stations will be broadcasting live remotes throughout the morning and early afternoon, and the Harrison Daily Times will be in attendance. Refreshments will be served, beginning at 8 a.m. with doughnuts, cookies, and coffee. Sandwiches, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and vegetable and fruit trays will follow, along with bottled water and soft drinks. Lucky tourists will receive giveaways. For more information, contact Norma Sims, Harrison Welcome Center manager, at 870-741-3343.

* Helena-West Helena: The Helena-West Helena Welcome Center will celebrate Tourism Week with a dance on Friday, May 15, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. The Little Biscuits, a popular local band, will perform. Refreshments will be served. Door prizes will be given away. Vacation Planning Kits for 2009 are available. For more information, contact Pam Garofas, Helena-West Helena Welcome Center manager, at 870-338-7602.

* Lake Village: The Lake Village Welcome Center will celebrate Tourism Week on Wednesday, May 13. Chicken salad, ribs, sandwiches, and brownies will be served along with soft drinks. Live musical entertainment will be provided by a fiddler and harpist. For more information, contact Martin Reese, manager of Lake Village Welcome Center, at 870-265-5832.

* Mammoth Spring: The Mammoth Spring Welcome Center will celebrate Tourism Week on Saturday, May 16, with live music, snacks and beverages, snow cones, ice cream, and balloons. The Mayor will be in attendance. Door prizes will be given away, including a chance to win the grand prize – a camping package featuring a Wenger nine-person family dome tent, four camping chairs, and three Ozark Trail sleeping bags. For more information, contact Adam Davis, Mammoth Spring Welcome Center manager, at 870-625-7364.

* Ozark: The City of Ozark will celebrate Tourist Appreciation Day on Monday, May 11, from 10 a.m. – noon at the Ozark Tourist Information Center. The city’s Advertising & Promotion commissioners will attend the reading of a mayoral proclamation at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will be provided, and one lucky visitor will win a gift. For more information, call 479-667-2525.

* Paragould: Paragould is celebrating Tourism Week in conjunction with their Loose Caboose festival’s 20th Anniversary. One of northeast Arkansas's most popular music, arts, and food festivals is held in the historic downtown commercial district on May 14-16. Additions to this year’s festival include a free children’s area, Jelly Bean Junction with two stages of entertainment for kids of all ages. Appearing will be Brian and Terri Kinder of Kinder Music, magician Rocky Clements and his Smoke and Mirrors show, faith based ventriloquist Lesha Campbell, the world famous racing pigs from Show-Me-Safari and the Show-Me-Safari Petting Zoo. The music on both stages is free including Saturday night’s featured entertainer Ashton Shepherd. For more information, contact Gina Jarrett, Main Street Paragould executive director, at 870-240-0544.

* Piggott: Piggott is celebrating Tourism Week in conjunction with their 11th Annual Piggott Heritage Park Car Show on Saturday, May 16. The day includes lots of food, games, prizes, live entertainment, car judging, approximately 500 classic cars, and a classic car parade. For more information, contact the Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-598-3167.

* Siloam Springs: The Siloam Springs Welcome Center will be celebrating Tourism Week all week, giving out Little Debbie snacks, bottled water, Allen’s Shoestring Potatoes, Cavender’s Greek seasoning packets, and Day Spring Day Planners. On Thursday, May 14, hot dogs will be served compliments of Petit Jean Meats and Price Cutter Grocery. On Friday, May 15, Arvest Bank will grill chicken furnished by Simmons, and serve baked beans and Martha Harp rolls. For more information, contact Betty Ross, Siloam Springs Welcome Center manager at 479-524-4445.

* Texarkana: Red River Welcome Center on U.S. 71, four miles north of I-30 in Texarkana, is celebrating Tourism Week on Thursday, May 14. There will be hot dogs served in one of the picnic pavilions from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Donna Hinkle, executive director of the Texarkana Animal Shelter, will help serve home-made banana-nut spice cake and cold drinks to visitors. Miniature Arkansas flags will be given away. For more information, contact Jonette Jones, Red River Welcome Center manager at 870-772-7511.

The Texarkana Welcome Center located on Interstate 30 East will celebrate Tourist Appreciation Day on Monday, May 11. There will be a reading of the proclamation declaring National Tourism Week in Texarkana. Other activities include serving refreshments to travelers, state parks exhibits, and local dignitaries and businesses on hand to greet visitors.

* Van Buren & Fort Smith: The Arkansas Welcome Center at Van Buren will be celebrating throughout Tourism Week by treating tourists with Arkansas-made products. On Thursday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m., the Fort Smith and Van Buren Advertising & Promotion Commissions will be serving refreshments and giving away a gift basket. Both city mayors will make official proclamations declaring Tourism Week in the area. For more information, contact Barbara Wilson, Van Buren/Fort Smith Welcome Center manager, at 479-474-9512.

* West Memphis: West Memphis will celebrate Tourism Week on Tuesday, May 12, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. with a free concert featuring Mizz Rose and the West Memphis Imperials. The concert will be held at the Regions Bank Plaza located at 231 East Broadway. Free lunch of hot dogs, cookies, chips, and soft drinks will be served. The first Arkansas Delta Music Trail: Sounds from the Soil and Soul historical marker will be dedicated at 9 a.m. at The Plantation Inn located at 3200 East Broadway (Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant). For more information, contact Leigh Ann Hastings, Main Street West Memphis executive director at 870-735-8814.

The West Memphis Welcome Center will celebrate Tourist Appreciation Day on Monday, May 11 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be served to visitors, and door prizes will be given away. The Delta Squadron will present the colors. Cindy Grisham of the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum and State Representative Keith Ingram will be on hand to welcome guests. For more information, contact Calanda Young, West Memphis Welcome Center manager, at 870-735-3637.

For general information on Tourism Week, contact Kristine Puckett, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, 1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. 501-682-5240.