Arkansas Media Room

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Kimberly J. Williams, 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.

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The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza hosts the Sunken Lands Quilt Festival on March 6. Quilts will be shown throughout Tyronza, Marked Tree, Dyess, Lepanto and Manilla. Churches in Tyronza will display quilts and host lectures and demonstrations on quilting. For more information visit http://stfm.astate.edu or phone the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum at 870-487-2909.

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Basket weaving has been a part of cultures for centuries. The Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc offers a Basket Weaving Workshop on March 13. Participants will learn how to make their own harvest basket during this hands-on beginner class. For more details contact the park at 870-256-3711.

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Learn more about the stars and the part they play in a variety of cultures as Lake Frierson State Park in Jonesboro hosts Stories of the Stars on March 13. Hear legends that have been created and passed down through time and enjoy an evening of stargazing and storytelling. Participants should bring their binoculars and lawn chairs and dress warmly. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact the park at 870-932-2615.

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See Cane Creek State Park in Star City from a different point of view – a kayak! The park hosts a Kayak Tour on March 13 and a Sunset Kayak Tour on March 20. Participants will take to the picturesque lake for a guided tour, all the while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. No experience is necessary to take part, but participants should be comfortable around water. Cost of the kayak tour is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and the price includes use of the kayak, paddle, and lifejacket. To find out more, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-628-4714.

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Paragould offers live music each month with WoodSongs, KASU’S Blue Monday and Bluegrass Monday events. Inspired by the national public radio program “Michael Johnathon’s Old-Time Radio Show,” WoodSongs is a local venue for songwriters and performers and is held the second Saturday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The next performance date is March 13. Blues and jazz performers from the region perform the third Monday of each month in downtown Paragould for KASU’s Blue Monday. The next Blue Monday is slated for March 15 at 7 p.m. KASU hosts Bluegrass Monday on March 22 at Atkins Celebration Hall, featuring an open jam session for local musicians at 5 p.m. followed by a live bluegrass concert at 7 p.m. WoodSongs and Blue Monday are held at the Red Goose Deli in downtown Paragould. For more information on the events contact Main Street Paragould at 870-240-0544.

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Village Creek State Park in Wynne invites you to be a kid again...at Pioneer Games and Toys on March 13. Participants will discover how the children of the settlers of Crowley's Ridge entertained themselves after chores were finished in the days before video games. On March 16 the park hosts a Star Clocks/Star Finders Workshop, where registrants make their own star finder or star clock. The star finder helps locate common constellations found in the night sky, the star clock uses constellations to determine the time at night.

A Geocaching 101 workshop is offered at Village Creek State Park on March 27. Learn the basics of geocaching, including how to use a GPS to find a cache, trackable items such as travel bugs and geocoins and tips to make caching an enjoyable activity for the entire family. Log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Village Creek State Park at 870-238-9406 for more information.

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Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin hosts an Artifact ID Day on March 13. Archeologists will be on hand to provide insight (not appraisals) on identification and age of objects and artifacts. The park is offering “Raiders of the Lost Arkansas” School Days on March 17-19. Students and teachers learn about prehistoric American Indian treasures of Arkansas firsthand and become involved in protecting and saving these treasures for the future. To find out more, log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Parkin Archeological State Park at 870-755-2500.

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Warfield Concerts in Helena-West Helena presents That Mancini Magic on March 18. Mac Frampton and Cecil Welch (Henry Mancini’s solo trumpeter), along with The Moon River Orchestra, takes the audience along on an enchanting voyage through the inspired melodies that earned Henry Mancini the stature of one of America’s greatest composers. The free performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Lily Peter Auditorium on the Phillips Community College/University of Arkansas campus. Visit www.WarfieldConcerts.org for more information.

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Invite bluebirds to your own hand made bluebird house! Crowley’s Ridge State Park in Paragould hosts a Bluebird Box Workshop on March 20. This is a great workshop for families with older children. Admission is $15 and includes all materials. Reservations are required.

The park invites kids to Spring Break Day Camp on March 23-25. Students ages seven through 10 are invited to take a break from school with three days of fun and adventure, including nature hikes, presentations, crafts and games. Lunches, snacks, and craft supplies are provided. Admission is $50 per child and registration is required. To learn more, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-573-6751.

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March 20 is the date for the 50th annual Chamber of Commerce Fish Fry in Watson, held at the Watson Gym. The evening’s meal includes catfish, hush puppies, French fries, cole slaw and a variety of cobblers. The evening also offers a live auction, raffle items and live entertainment. Groups are welcome by reservation. Serving lines open from 6-8 p.m. and the auction starts at 8 p.m. Phone 870-866-7666 for detailed information.

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You can find history almost anywhere…including the garbage! Hampson Archeological Museum State Park in Wilson hosts a Dig Garbage! Workshop on March 20. Meet Dr. Dig-It and dig around in a “historic” garbage pit to learn how people lived. The workshop is free but pre-registration is required. Contact Hampson Archeological Museum State Park at 870-655-8622 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com for more information.

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Celebrate the arrival of spring at Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village. The park hosts Celebrating Spring Weekend on March 20-21. The event includes a variety of interpretive programs such as birding tours, hikes and games. The park also hosts Spring Break at the Park on March 22-28. Students can enjoy a week of programs with park interpreters aimed at discovering the beauty and history of Lake Chicot State Park. Activities include lake and levee tours, bird watching, hiking, Dutch oven cooking and nature programs. For more information visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact the park at 870-265-5480.

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The Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra presents Classic Drama: The Passion of the Theater on March 21 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center Auditorium in Pine Bluff. The performance features guest appearances by soprano Laura Storn and tenor Christian Feazell. Phone 870-536-7666 for details.

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The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff offers Break the Mold Spring Break on March 22-26. Students will spend five days learning about science, the art of illusion, and GPS mapping. To learn more, visit www.artssciencecenter.org or phone 870-536-3375.

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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"