Travelin’ the Arkansas Ozarks: Events Taking Place During March

By Jill M. Rohrbach, Ark. Dept. of Parks and Tourism

First posted on 02-25-2010

Dutch oven chefs are invited to the Cookin’ with Coals Cook-off on March 6 in Mammoth Spring. Cooking in the big cast iron pots begins at 10 a.m. with judging at 2 p.m. The public can sample the dishes after the judging.

For those not ready for a competition, the park offers a March 27 class to teach people how to cook in a Dutch oven. Park interpreters discuss selection of ovens, controlling heat and cleanup. Class members get to sample the dishes. Space is limited and reservations should be made by March 20.

Call 870-625-7364 for more information on either event.

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During March, Jacksonport State Park in Newport offers programs focusing on the history of the region. On March 6, the park hosts Flags of the Confederacy. The program will discuss the different flags used by the Confederacy during the Civil War and how these flags are still influencing state flags throughout the United States today.

The legendary White River Monster is the topic of the program on March 7. Hear stories and tall tales about the mysterious creature that might possibly live in the area. Newspaper articles dedicated to the monster and photographs “capturing” the mythical beast will be displayed during the program. Log on to http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact the park at 870-523-2143 for more information.

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George Thorogood & The Destroyers perform on March 7 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Thorogood and his band The Destroyers came out of Delaware in the ‘70s as a jarringly high-energy bunch with raucous, slide guitar-stoked, blues-rock tunes. Their album Move It On Over struck big and success continued with records including Bad to the Bone and Born to Be Bad with the hit, You Talk Too Much. The single Get a Haircut and blockbuster albums followed into the new millennium with Ride ‘Til I Die and a compilation, Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock. Their latest album, The Dirty Dozen, is a scorching blues-rock album pairing six new studio recordings with six classic fan favorites. Tickets start at $25.50 and can be purchased online at http://www.waltonartscenter.org, or phone 479-443-5600.

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Spend the evening with Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang as Center on the Square Performing Arts Center in Searcy presents a production of the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown from March 9-13. Ticket prices begin at $15 and include dinner and the show. Visit http://www.CenterontheSquare.org or call 501-368-0111 for more details.

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A weekend of live music can be found March 11-13 during the Mountain View Bluegrass Festival. The event is held rain or shine on the grounds of the Ozark Folk Center State Park, which has indoor and outdoor jamming facilities. Some of the bands featured this year include Rhonda Vincent, Williams & Clark Expedition, The Katie Penn Band, Monroe Crossing, The Nelsons, The Special Consensus, Volume Five, Joe Sasser & Friends, and Lifted Up. For event details, visit http://www.mountainview-bluegrass.com or phone 870-269-2704.

Also in Mountain View will be the Handpicked and Handmade Craft Show on March 12-13 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.

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The Days of 3 Syllamo Stage Run takes place March 12-14 near Mountain View. Three runs are held within the Sylamore Ranger District, and 90 percent on single track trails, including the North Sylamore Creek Trail, Sylamore Creek horse trails, and the Syllamo mountain bike trail. For details, phone 501-454-4391 or visit http://www.syllamo.org/3days.

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Bluebird Day is set for March 13 at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring. The Spring River Sportsman’s Club provides information about attracting bluebirds and building boxes for them. All materials needed to build a bluebird house are provided. Seating is limited. Reserve your space and bluebird kit by March 7. The event is free.

Also at the park on March 20 is a Beautiful Baskets program where patrons can weave their own egg basket to take home. Space is limited and reservations should be made by March 13. Admission is $25. Find more information online at http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/mammothspring or phone 870-625-7364.

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Eureka Springs celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a parade at 2 p.m. on March 13. It includes floats, decorated vehicles, bands, Bagpipes, Irish dancers and walking groups. Anyone wearing green can join the parade, which wends its way along Spring and Main streets in the historic downtown. The parade is hosted by Krewe of Blarney and Kaptains Klub.

A St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl takes place March 17. Led by Free Form Kazoo Marching Band, the crawl begins at Chelsea’s Corner at 3 p.m. and at 4 p.m. starts traveling a line of 11 pubs along the historic downtown district of Eureka Springs.

Visit http://www.stpaddy.ureeka.org or phone 479-981-9551 for more information on either event.

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Explore the history of the commercial district of downtown Pocahontas as the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program hosts a Walk Through History tour on March 13. The historic downtown is comprised of buildings that date back to 1873. The majority of the buildings within the 17-block area are at least 100 years old and are considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of Victorian-era architecture in Arkansas. For more information visit http://www.arkansaspreservation.org or phone the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program at 501-324-9880.

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Spring is just around the corner and now is a great time to prepare the backyard for feathered friends. Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas offers a Birdhouse Workshop on March 13. Participants will learn about local birds and birding basics, make their own birdhouse to take home, and receive an Arkansas bird checklist to see exactly which feathered varieties are visiting your own backyard. Space is limited and reservations are required. On March 27 the park hosts Chili and Cornbread: A Dutch Oven Lunch Workshop. Learn how to make two wonderful winter dishes, chili and cornbread, in a whole new way – in a Dutch oven. Participants will also learn how to care for the Dutch oven to make it last through the generations. Visit http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact Davidsonville Historic State Park at 870-892-4708 for details.

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Spend an entire week immersed in learning a new artistic craft or polishing up your skills at the Ozark Folk School on March 14-19 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Folk School offers classes in wood carving, pottery, weaving, tin smithing, soap making, broom making, music, and more. There is a special Folk Kids School for those ages 7-11.

Session two of Ozark Folk School is March 20-23, and focuses on learning or expanding knowledge of a craft. It is designed to either extend session one or is available for those who can’t attend the weeklong program.

Visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for class information and prices or phone 870-269-3851. Fees do not include lodging or meals, but special package deals are available.

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A Make Your Own Banjo Workshop is set for March 14-20 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. In this intense and popular class, participants make their own banjo, either gourd or tack head style. They leave the class with a unique, beautiful and playable banjo. The class often includes jam sessions and many late nights. The final day is devoted to learning to play the new instrument. Registration deadline for this class is Feb. 12. Go online to http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com or phone 870-269-3851 for more information.

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In its 14th year, the annual Spring Antique Show and Sale in Eureka Springs occurs March 19-21 at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. This popular antique show consists of 57 dealers from about 14 states with a variety of items as small as a thimble to as large as an armoire. A preview of the show, along with a wine and cheese party, takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 19. Admission to the weekend show is $2.50 for adults, and free for children under 12. Phone 479-253-7551 or visit http://www.eurekaspringsantiqueshows.com for more information.

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Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork is encouraging people to turn off cell phones and leave their gadgets and gizmos at home during the Spring Break Celebration set for March 19-28. During this week, park interpreters lead hikes, cave tours, pedal boat cruises and campfire talks. The event is free. Call 479-761-3325 for more information.

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Take a step back in time as you learn to make your own lead sinkers and non-toxic tin soldiers as Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan hosts a Tin Soldiers and Lead Sinkers Workshop on March 20. Learn about low melting point alloys, warming molds and how to locate molds and materials. At the conclusion of the workshop, each participant will take home a pound of sinkers and three tin soldiers. Visit http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-878-6595 for details.

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The 9th annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest is slated for March 24-28 at locations throughout Batesville, including the University of Arkansas Community College and Lyon College. The festival is committed to showcasing work by emerging and established filmmakers from Arkansas and neighboring states. This year’s festival features two screenings by legendary documentary filmmaker Les Blank, two films focusing on the roots of Cajun music, filmmaker question and answer sessions and the 3rd annual Screenwriting Competition awards presentation. For more information, visit http://www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org or phone 870-251-1189.

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Open jam sessions, as well as performances, take place during the 27th annual Arkansas Fiddler’s Convention set for March 25-28 at the North Arkansas College South Campus in Harrison. Featured this year is Ken & Arlene Murphy and Friends. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, phone 870-429-6174 and visit http://www.harrisonarkansas.org.

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Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View offers a Medicinal Herb Workshop and Herbal Field Trip in March. Board the folk center bus for an excursion to visit local herb businesses and hike to see Ozark spring ephemeral wildflowers and useful plants on Friday, March 26. On Saturday, March 27 regional herbalists present demonstrations and hands-on instruction on the chemistry and uses of essential oils and distillations. The class is held in the Bois D’Arc Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com or phone 870-269-3851 for more information.

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The 20th annual Kite Fest is celebrated March 27 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own kites. This fun-filled family event is held on the beautiful plateau of the refuge. Kites of all sizes, shapes and colors will take to the air from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food and soft drink concessions are available.

Admission to the kite festival is free. Regular admission prices apply for tours of the refuge. This annual event is one of the refuge’s most attended days of the year. Proceeds help finance the rescue of and sanctuary for the tigers, lions, cougars, leopards and other animals housed there.

Contact Kaleidokites, a local kite store, at 479-253-6596 for details.

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The Spring Gun and Knife Show is set for March 27-28 in Hardy. The Old Hardy Gym fills to capacity with dealers from across the Ozarks. This show has proven to be a big event for those interested in buying, selling, or trading new guns, old guns, civil war memorabilia, handmade turkey calls, and more. Admission is $3. Phone 870-856-3571 for more information.

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