Travelin’ the Arkansas Ozarks: Events Taking Place During May

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

First posted on 04-27-2010

Celebrate the history of Pocahontas and Randolph County during Founders Day on April 30-May 1. Events include a barbecue cook-off, live music, living historians and a pink tea. For detailed information visit http://www.SeeRandolphCounty.com or phone 870-758-1875 or 870-892-0254.

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Eureka Springs will celebrate the May Festival of the Arts throughout the entire month of May. Events, activities, special exhibits, artist’s demonstrations, music and visual arts are all represented in this month-long event. The annual festival kicks off at 2 p.m. on May 1 with the ARTrageous Parade through the historic downtown.

Other first day events include a woodcrafters show and reception at Eureka Thyme. It features Les Casteel who crafts furniture; John Dilbeck with segmented, turned bowls; and Jim Kibby who works in wood burl. A show and reception for Tim Cotterill, an internationally known sculpture artist, takes place at Zark’s Fine Design Gallery. 83 Spring Street Gallery serves refreshments at its Open House and Basin Spring Park hosts free music. The Eureka Springs Historical Museum displays a collection of paintings by the late artist Glenn Swedlen. The newly renovated Queen Anne’s Mansion offers an Invitational Art Show of two- and three-dimensional work.

Numerous other events spotlight the arts with the festival featuring dozens of exhibits, shows, artist’s receptions and demonstrations, gallery strolls, the annual White Street Studio Walk, free concerts, blues weekend, art classes, theater, and much more.

For details on times and locations of all the artsy fun planned throughout the month, visit http://www.eurekasprings.org or call 479-981-9551. The calendar will be updated regularly as new events are added to the schedule.

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Izard County Pioneer Weekend brings past and present residents together on May 1 in Melbourne. Featured activities include a parade, rodeo, street dance, and musical entertainment. Food and other vendors attend. Events take place on the courthouse square, except for the rodeo, which is held at the Izard County Fairgrounds. Visit http://www.mymelbournearkansas.com or call 870-368-4215 for details.

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The 6th annual Syllamo’s Revenge Mountain Bike Challenge takes place May 1 in the Mountain View area. The event offers more than 40 miles of biking through the beautiful Ozark Mountains with changing scenery and views of the White River Valley and Sylamore Creek Valley. Phone 870-269-8068 for details.

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One of the largest shows in the area, the North Arkansas Woodcarvers 31st annual Woodcarving Show and Sale on May 1-2 in Mountain Home features whittlers, woodcarvers, wood turners, vendors, judged competitions, demonstrations, and a carving contest. Participants range from novice to professional. The show is free to the public and takes place at the Baxter County Fairgrounds. Visit http://www.northarkansaswoodcarvers.org or call 870-431-8070 for more information.

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Highlights of Birder Weekend at Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork include bird identification hikes, kids’ games, and special guest speakers. Approximately 170 bird species live or migrate through the park. Admission is free. Call 479-761-3325 for details.

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The 28th annual Fair on the Square celebrates the unique community of Kingston. Set for May 7-8, events include a parade, live music all day, craft booths, food, door prize drawings, Dutch oven cook-off, children’s activities, a clown and more. Phone 870-420-3731 for more information.

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The Spanker Creek Farm Arts & Craft Fair takes place May 7-9 in Bentonville. This outdoor fair offers returning and new vendors each year. It is one of several fairs held in the region for an event known as War Eagle Weekend. Visit http://www.spankercreekfarm.com or call 479-685-5655 for details.

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Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Arts & Crafts Fair on May 7-9 in Eureka Springs features artists with a wide range of homemade crafts. The fair is free. Admission to the refuge grants visitors the opportunity to see more big cats. Turpentine provides lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected cats with an emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. The refuge is located seven miles south of Eureka Springs on Ark. 23 South. Visit http://www.turpentinecreek.org or phone 479-253-3790 for details.

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Learn more about spring time birds on May 7-9 during the Ozark Birders’ Springtime Retreat at Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals. The event offers programs for beginner to advanced birders. Activities include guided walks, evening programs, basic birding clinics, lake and river cruises, and children’s programs. Contact the park at 870-445-3629 for a program schedule.

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Hundreds of artists and craftsmen come together to sell, display, and demonstrate their skills during the War Eagle Mill Arts & Crafts Fair on May 7-9 near Rogers. The event offers a variety of food vendors and live music. The Mill opens at 7 a.m. serving a full country breakfast. Also, visitors can watch the power of the water wheel grinding fresh cornmeal. Admission is free but there is a $3 parking fee. Phone 866-492-7324 or visit http://www.wareaglemill.com for details.

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The 42nd annual Dogwood Days celebration of the incorporation of Horseshoe Bend takes place May 8. The event consists of craft booths, food vendors, music, a golf tournament, a beauty pageant, and a citywide yard sale. Visit http://www.horseshoebendarcc.com or phone 870-670-5433 for more information.

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The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View hosts a top-ranked cutting competition and knife exhibition on May 8. Hammer-In: A Knife Making Event offers park visitors a chance to see knife makers display their skill with blades that can cut anything from a two-by-four to a drinking straw. The public votes for their favorite knife in the show. Contact the park at 870-269-3851 or visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for details.

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Take to the water and learn the basics of kayaking as Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan offers a Kayak Tour on May 8. Park staff will give an overview of paddling techniques before taking participants on a tour of the lake. The $10 fee includes the use of a kayak, paddle and a lifejacket. Registration is required two weeks in advance of the workshop. Contact Lake Charles State Park at 870-878-6595 for details.

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Harrison hosts the 20th annual Crawdad Days Music Festival on May 14-15. This family event offers music, a car show, food, carnival, burnout competition, cardboard boat race and more. Activities take place downtown. Visit http://www.harrison-chamber.com or phone 870-741-2659 for more information.

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The Arkansas Muzzleloading Association State Championship is set for May 14-16 at Luther Owens Park in Berryville. A variety of black powder competitions for pistols, rifles and shotguns, this is a traditional event with deep roots in the region. For more information, phone 870-423-4741 or visit http://www.berryvillear.com. Admission is free to spectators.

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Gourds take center stage as Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan offers Gourds: The Versatile Plant Beginners Workshop on May 15. Learn how to decorate and shape the unique plants. The $20 fee includes all materials and tools. Participants are also asked to bring protective clothing. To reserve a space or for more information contact the park at 870-878-6765.

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In its second year, the Calico Rock Trout Tournament takes place May 15 from sunup to sundown. Men and women fish the White River in search of a record breaking Brown, Rainbow, Brook or Cutthroat Trout. Cash prizes are awarded for the three heaviest fish and there is a grand prize for anyone that catches a fish breaking the state record for a particular trout species. Weigh-in is under the White River Bridge. Participants also receive a free barbecue meal. Admission is $30 per entrant. Phone 870-373-8558 or visit http://www.calicorocktrouttournament.com for details.

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Learn about the fascinating life of bees as the Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville offers Bees: From Wax to Pollen to Honey on May 16. Beekeeper Frank Daniels presents a program on bees and their role in pollination and making honey. Log on to http://www.OIRM.org or call 870-793-2121 for more information.

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Learn the basic paddling and kayaking maneuvers to equip you for one of the most exciting ways to enjoy lakes, streams, and rivers at the Mammoth Spring State Park Kayaking 101 class on May 22. Kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets are provided. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call the park at 870-625-7364 to reserve your kayak. The program cost is $25. Call 870-625-7364 for details.

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The 61st annual Fulton County Homecoming Festival takes place on the court square in Salem on May 28-29. It features a street dance, open market, food booths, Apple Pie 5K Run, Squirt Race, horseshoe pitching, apple pie baking contest and auction, Terrapin Race, music and a parade. Admission is free. Call 870-895-5565 or visit http://www.SalemAR.com for more information.

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Davidsonville Historic State Park is where an array of exciting events and programs take place during the Memorial Day Weekend event on May 28-31. Spend the holiday weekend stargazing, going on an owl prowl, watching a black powder demonstration and learning the background of the historic settlement. For details contact the park at 870-892-4708.

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The 24th annual Good Earth Association’s Old Fashioned Plowing Demonstration is planned in Birdell (near Pocahontas) on May 29. The day features plowing demonstrations, live music, old farming equipment, games for kids and horse demonstrations. For more information contact Donald Waterworth at 870-378-0285.

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