freshare.net
By Jill M. Rohrbach, Ark. Dept. of Parks and Tourism
02-02-2010Eureka Springs celebrates Fat Tuesday with the Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Extravaganza. The carnival is comprised of masquerade balls, costume contests, parades, pub krawls, and music. Many downtown venues will participate with special events on Feb. 4-7 and on Feb. 16, the day of Mardi Gras.
The Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball begins at 6 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Crescent Hotel Crystal Ballroom in Eureka Springs. Activities include a coronation ball and masquerade dance, and the king and queen royal court promenade and grand march. Guests should dress in formal attire or Mardi Gras costumes. There will be a cash bar, champagne supper buffet and music with celebrity vocalists. Reservations are required. Admission is $30.
The 5th annual Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 6 rolls through downtown Eureka Springs beginning at 2 p.m. Krewe of Krazo will lead the parade. Other walking groups include Krewe of Wobniar, and Krewe of Barkus, a canine parade. It finishes with the Krazo Kostume Kontest at the Art Colony at 3:30 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 7 a Eureka Gras Jazz Brunch will be held at the Crescent Hotel. This New Orleans-style sumptuous food fare will include second line dancing and jazz entertainment. Reservations are recommended by calling 479-253-9766. The brunch costs $25. The 2nd Line Krazo Krawl on Feb. 16 begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Pied Piper Tavern downtown and follows Main and Spring streets. Phone 479-981-9551 or visit http://www.krazo.ureeka.org for details on all the events planned.
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Learn how to build your own Wood Duck box and how to attract the fowl as Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan hosts Build-A-Box Workshop: Wood Ducks on Feb. 6. Participants will build their own nest box to take home and hear tips to attract Wood Ducks to their own yard. Visit http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com or phone 870-878-6595 for details.
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The annual Tyson Invitational brings some of the biggest names in professional and collegiate track and field to the city of Fayetteville. The event takes place this year on Feb. 12 at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The men’s shot put, women’s pole vault and many other events will be highlighted, as will many of the nation’s top collegiate teams, including the Arkansas Razorback men’s and women’s track and field squads. Phone 800-766-4626 or visit http://www.tysoninvitational.net for details.
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Jacksonport State Park in Newport will host a lecture entitled Life of a Civil War Soldier on Feb. 13. Participants will hear the difficulties the average Civil War soldier faced on a regular basis, including starvation, disease and homesickness. Log on to http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com or contact the park at 870-523-2143 for more information.
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The annual Valentine Dinner and Show at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View will be Feb. 13. Enjoy a romantic evening at the park with a special meal at the Skillet Restaurant followed by an evening show with live music. Reservations are suggested. Contact the park at 870-269-3851 or visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for details.
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A Quilter’s Retreat will be held Feb. 18-20 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Spend three days tucked away in the Ozark Mountains learning new quilting techniques, quilting with friends and being pampered by lodge and restaurant staff. This all-inclusive package includes meals, lodging, snacks, instructor fees, materials fees and applicable taxes. Phone 870-269-3851 or visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for details.
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Wholesome whole grain bread is the theme for the Fourth Friday Food Day on Feb. 26 at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Join Ozark Folk Center staff members to learn how to cook traditional and contemporary foods and wholesome wheat breads, including whole wheat yeast bread, hickory nut bread and others. Registration by Feb. 23 is required and the class size is limited. The cost for the program is $30 and includes lunch. Contact the park at 870-269-3851 or visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for details.
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A photography tour of Dripstone Trail at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View is set for Feb. 28. This is a special opportunity to photograph the upper level of the caverns and is limited to the first 10 people who return advance payment. Tours meet at the visitor center at noon and will photograph for four hours. Tripods are welcome, and a light sweater or jacket is recommended. Tours are by reservation only, and are not instructional. Call 870-757-2211 or 1-888-757-2246 for reservations. The cost is $20 per person. Visit http://www.blanchardcavetours.com for more information.