Year 'Round Fun: A Guide to Arkansas Festivals
Arkansas offers a multitude of music, art, food and family festivals. Here are 14 favorites to get you started.
February
Chocolate Lovers' Festival, Eureka Springs
This Valentine's Day event is in its sixth year and is complete with chocolate fountains, specialty vendors, abundant samples, and professional and amateur contests with cash prizes. For info: (479) 253-7888.
April
Arkansas Folk Festival, Mountain View
www.yourplaceinthemountains.com
Now in its 47th year, this spring celebration features handmade crafts; frontier life demonstrations; a parade; lots of folk, mountain and bluegrass music; dancing on the Court Square; and a window decorating contest. A fun family festival. For info: (870) 269-8068.
May
Toad Suck Daze, Conway
This free festival has something for everyone â" local and national entertainment, carnival rides, arts and crafts, concessions, Stuck on a Truck, 5K/10K race, Toadal Kids Zone, Toad Suck SuperStar, and of course the World Famous Toad Races! For info: (501) 327-7788.
Riverfest, Little Rock
This is Arkansasâs largest premier family festival, featuring three days over Memorial Day weekend of entertainment on five stages, more than 100 acts, a large KidZone, visual arts booths, unique food vendors and many special attractions. For info: (501) 255-3378.
June
Hot Springs Music Festival, Hot Springs
This not-for-profit educational music festival offers opportunities for âpre-professionalâ musicians to join professional mentor musicians in performance of concert music. There are approximately four orchestral concerts and numerous chamber music concerts. Venues include the Hot Springs Youth Center and various churches in the city. For info: (501) 623-4763.
July
World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, Heber Springs
For 22 years, contestants have lined up for races in both youth and adult divisions to vie for the âPride of the Fleetâ award or the notorious âTitanic Award.â Children can participate in a tug of war contest, a treasure dig or a sand-sculpting contest. Donât miss the World Championship Watermelon Eating Contest. For info: (501) 362-2444.
September
Smoke on the Water Music and BBQ Festival, Hot Springs
Named Arkansasâ Festival of the Year, Smoke on the Water Barbecue & Music Festival has become the largest event in south Arkansas. Family fun includes a large carnival, arts and crafts, vendors, kidsâ play area, petting zoo, rock climbing wall and car show. Live music is feature nightly, and visitors can also sample the greatest barbecue on earth, smoked to perfection by competition teams. For info: (870) 536-8175.
Bikes, Blues & BBQ, Fayetteville
This is the worldâs largest family-friendly, nonprofit motorcycle rally, with an average of 95 percent of its annual profit going to local charities. Enjoy live music at the Main Stage, submit your top picks for the State BBQ Contest, watch the motorcycle parade, enter the many giveaways, shop at more than 200 vendors, attend the Ms. Bikes Blues & BBQ Contest, and enjoy some brew at the Beer Garden. For info: (479) 444-7770.
Wiederkehr Wine Festival, Wiederkehr Village
Celebrating 45 years in 2009, this festival features free winetastings, tours of the historic wine cellars and Tyrolean-style activities, including a grape stomp, sing-a-longs and polka lessons. Live music and the aroma of international cuisine will entertain visitors all weekend. For info: (479) 468-9463.
October
Wing Ding Festival, Jacksonville
The Wing Ding Festival is an all day event made for families. Dupree Park in Jacksonville is transformed into a funland of food, games, interactive activities, inflatables and great music. Sample unique flavors, or enter a team of your own, during the World Championship Chicken Wing Cook-Off. For info: (501) 982-1511.
CabotFest, Cabot
Held in downtown Cabot, this family festival features more than 200 exhibitors, carnival rides, free childrenâs activities, live entertainment, a rock climbing wall, bull rides, an inflatable playground, a motorcycle run, car show, a NASCAR remote control speedway, plenty of great food and more! For info: (501) 843-2136.
MusicFest El Dorado, El Dorado
MusicFest El Dorado features a weekend full of music, fun and food! The event features musical acts of all genres on six stages, with superstar acts headlining each night. Past headliners have included Tracy Lawrence, Dixie Chicks, Joan Jett, Charlie Daniels and Toby Keith. For info: (870) 862-4747.
Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, Helena-West Helena
Previously known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival, the largest free blues festival in the country draws thousands of fans to the land of the Delta blues. Held on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, the three-day festival features 78 performers on four stages, plus plenty of food, activities and fun. For info: (870) 338-8798.
November
Wings Over The Prairie, Stuttgart
For 73 years, visitors have flocked to Stuttgart for Wings Over the Prairie, a three-day festival that includes the World Championship Duck Calling Contest and World Championship Duck Gumbo Cook-off. Other activities include an arts and crafts fair, exhibits, carnival and midway games, the 10K Duck Race, live music and the Queen Mallard Pageant. For info: (870) 673-1602.
