Travelin’ Arkansas: July Events - Submitted by AR Dept. of Parks and Tourism

First posted on 06-19-2008

The stars of LPGA Tour will once again compete in a 54-hole format during the 2008 LPGA Tournament on June 30-July 6 at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. The newly renamed P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship prize money will total $1.7 million, up $450,000 from last year. The tournament will host a July 4 celebration following the first round of championship play. Initial plans for the festivities include a musical concert and fireworks display. For more information, visit the tournament’s new Web site: http://www.pgbeautychampionship.com.

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The 64th annual Rodeo of the Ozarks is set for July 1-4 at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. This northwest Arkansas city’s foremost event celebrates the nation’s birthday each year while giving audiences the opportunity to experience part of the nation’s heritage through Pro Rodeo. More than 500 contestants and professional athletes will compete in seven PRCA and WPRA sanctioned events -– tie down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, and the ever-popular bull riding. Parades take place on July 1 and July 4. Admission ranges from $10 to $18 depending on seating. Children’s prices are available. For more information, phone 479-756-0464 and visit http://www.rodeooftheozarks.com.

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Kicking off the July 4 holiday, Calico Rock will host Fun in the Park on July 3. Activities will be held in King City Park and include a patriotic dog show, a bike and trike parade, food concessions and special games and events for kids. To find out more, contact the Calico Rock/Pineville Chamber of Commerce at 870-297-4129 or visit http://www.CalicoRock.us.

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There will be no shortage of things to do to celebrate Independence Day in Central Arkansas.

The Historic Arkansas Museum will host its annual Frontier Fourth of July from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4. A patriotic parade at 3 p.m. will wind around the museum grounds allowing kids to use the streamers, flags and other red, white and blue creations they make at the crafts station. They will also take part in a militia gun salute, which will follow training with sticks and brooms. Afterwards, the Declaration of Independence will be read and cold watermelon and lemonade served. Living History vignettes depicting “firsthand” accounts of Independence Day from various viewpoints will also be presented. The museum is located at 200 E. Third St. in downtown Little Rock. Additional information is available by phone at 501-324-9351 or by e-mail . The museum’s Web site is http://www.HistoricArkansas.org

Little Rock will celebrate its freedom as it has for the past 24 years as the 25th annual Pops on the River Concert takes place July 4. Gates to Riverfront Park will open at 6 p.m. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will perform classic holiday tunes ending with a huge fireworks display. Admission is free. Contact Tabitha Cunningham at 501-918-4539 or for more information.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park will have Fun on the Fourth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 4 in the picnic area. The park will offer ways to celebrate the holiday and stay cool with a day of wet and wild games for the whole family. There will also be watermelon seed spitting contests, water balloon volleyball and relay races. Admission is free. The park is located at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in Little Rock. For more information, call 501-868-5806 or e-mail .

On the north side of the Arkansas River, the 9th Annual Sherwood’s 4th of July Family Celebration is scheduled for July 4 at Sherwood Forest. This family oriented event will be held from 6 p.m. to -9 p.m. and will have free food, drinks, a patriotic tribute, entertainment and plenty of children’s activities. The evening ends with a 9 p.m. fireworks display. There will be free shuttle service from the Sylvan Hills High School parking lot and admission is free. Sherwood Forest is located at 1111 West Maryland Ave. Call 501-835-8909 or e-mail for details.

There will be lots of music during the 10th annual Bryant Family Fest to be held July 4 and 5 in Mills Park. Performing both Friday and Saturday evening will be the bands 17th Floor and Simple Plan. Also scheduled are a basketball tournament and a new skate park that will be set-up and there will be food available. Admission to the event is free; there is a $10 parking fee. The Bryant Parks and Recreation Department has more details at 501-847-7275 or .

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The 26th annual Turtle Races are set for July 4 on the downtown Harrison square. Turtles race in heats with the first three finishers across the line moving on to the next heat. Prizes will be given and hot dogs, lemonade and popcorn will be served. Admission is free. For more information, phone 870-741-7641 or visit http://www.ffbh.com.

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All-American activities for the whole family will take place July 4 at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck during the park’s Island Festival. Contests, games, crafts, scavenger hunt, and an underwater treasure hunt are just some of the activities available. Programs and prizes are available for all ages and there will be a fireworks display over the lake at night. For more information, phone 501-865-2801 or visit http://www.degray.com.

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Part of the celebrity concert series, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will perform at 7:30 p.m. on July 5 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. The performance is also part of Old Time String Band Week. The Great Smoky Mountain Cloggers will return for three nights of traditional dancing on July 17-19. This group hails from the mountains of North Carolina, the birthplace of clogging, and has performed before the Queen of England and at other major venues. For more information, phone 870-269-3851 or visit http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.

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Beat the heat of summer at Hardy’s Old Time Picnic Water Fun on July 5 at Loberg Park. The fun-filled day will feature water slides, dunking booths, water balloon toss, cold lemonade, live music and food. To learn more, call 870-856-3811.

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Lake Saracen in Pine Bluff will have a Beach Festival on July 5. The beach-themed festival is for those young adults age 18 and over who didn’t make it to other beaches this year. There will be a variety of vendors including food and businesses, health information booths, live music, various contests, water wars and other games. Prize money will be awarded. For more information on this free event contact Maximillan Sprinkle at 870-534-9227 or .

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The Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville will host In Citizen’s Garb, an exhibit featuring more than 50 Native American portraits taken between 1889 and 1891, beginning on July 5. The temporary exhibition will run through Aug. 13. For more information, visit http://www.oirm.org or phone the museum at 870-793-2121.

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Blytheville native Johnny Trolley returns home on July 7 to host the Johnny Trolley Ole Time Variety Show at the Ritz Civic Center. The show will feature local artists and sketches reminiscent of the variety shows of decades past. To find out more, contact the Arts Council of Mississippi County at 870-762-1744.

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The National Golf Association’s Hooters Professional Golf Tour, presented by Hooters of America and Naturally Fresh Foods, returns to Northwest Arkansas and Lost Springs Golf & Athletic Club for the Daisy Golf Classic presented by the Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau June 9-15.

The Daisy Golf Classic has a purse of $200,000 with $33,566 going to the winner. A portion of the proceeds from the Daisy Golf Classic will go to benefit the Benton County Sunshine School.

The NGA/Hooters Tour is the third-largest men’s 72-hole professional golf tour in the country behind the PGA and Nationwide Tours. It boasts alumni like 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson, 2003 PGA Champion Shaun Micheel, 2003 British Open winner Ben Curtis, 2003 US Open winner Jim Furyk, two time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen, British Open and PGA Champion John Daly, as well as British Open winner Tom Lehman, PGA Champion David Toms, 2003 Tour Championship Winner Chad Campbell, 2004 & 2005 Reno Tahoe Open winner Vaughn Taylor and TPC winner Craig Perks to name just a few.

For more information, visit http://www.NGAHOOTERSTOUR.com.

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Crystal Bridges at the Massey in Bentonville will hold art-related programs on July 10 and 11. Discover Art: Nature Works! is a program from 1 p .m. to 3 p.m. on July 10 where participants can learn about natural materials in works of art through artists in the Art Walk exhibition, and can then decorate their own planter pot. A biography of Norman Rockwell is the Lunchtime Movie @ the Massey at noon on July 11. It is an hour-long documentary. For more information, phone 479-418-5700 or visit http://www.massey.crystalbridges.org.

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Berryville’s Circle the Square Summer Music Series gives visitors a slice of real Americana. Blues and rock groups will play from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 12 on the town square. Restaurants and stores around the square will stay open late for people to shop, eat and listen to music. Admission is free. For more information, phone 870-654-3231 or visit http://www.ozarts.org.

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Explore historic downtown Osceola at the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program’s Walk Through History tour on July 12. The walking tour, co-sponsored by the Mississippi County Historical Society, will begin at the historic Mississippi County Courthouse. For more information, contact the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program at 501-324-9880 or visit http://www.arkansaspreservation.org.

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The 4th annual T Tauri Film Festival and Movie Camp will be held in Batesville on July 14-26 at the University of Arkansas Community College. The filmmaking workshops are for youth ages 8-18 and range from basic to advanced. Topics include documentary filmmaking, editing, sound recording and screenwriting. For more information, phone 870-251-1189 or visit http://www.ttauri.org.

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The 36th annual Bud Magness Memorial Gospel Quartet Singing will be July 18-19 at the Spring Park Amphitheater in Heber Springs. Concerts begin at 7 each night with approximately six groups appearing. Featured bands will include CrossPoint Quartet, The Gospel Echoes, Velvet Ridge Singers, The Apostles, The Hawkins Family, and The Hayes Brothers. For more information, phone 501-362-6200.

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The 11th annual Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival will be July 18-20 in Eureka Springs. This mountain bike festival includes competitive and non-competitive cycling events, including cross-country, downhill, short track, observed trials, bike parade, film fest, and fun rides. For more information, phone 479-363-0625 or visit http://www.fattirefestival.com.

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The Heber Springs Wake Fest will be July 19-20 at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs. In its second year, this is a wake board and ski competition with a $15,000 payout on pro wake boarders. There will also be a “boat crank it up” contest, beach volleyball tournament, live music, pro shop and concessions. For more information, phone 501-362-3635 or visit http://www.intleague.com.

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Star Days, an annual four day Star Touring and Riding International Rally, will take place from July 22-25 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. The Yamaha Star Line of motorcycles will be featured and the vendor area is open to the public.

Events will include games for adults and kids, bike games and skills tests and a planned visit to the local Veterans hospital or care center. Planned rides include the SWAMPAZZ, a six-hour endurance ride with minimal stops. The Trivia Ride tours the local area with points given for correct answers on local attractions. Seminars are held daily on topics from customizing to maintenance, chapter growth and motorcycle safety. Other events include a barbecue, breakfast, benefit auction and awards banquet. STAR DAYS is the largest gathering of Star motorcycles in North America. For more information, phone 520-572-8367 or visit http://www.startouring.org.

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The Burns Park Soccer Complex will be the site of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships (U 14-U 19), July 22-28 in North Little Rock. The event provides an opportunity for more than 185,000 players representing over 10,000 teams to showcase their playing abilities against the best in the country while putting an emphasis on teamwork, discipline and fair play. The series is a year-long competition that begins with the U.S. Youth Soccer state championships that progress to regional contests. The winners in the Under 14 through Under 19 age groups will then converge on North Little Rock for the national championships.

During the championships the Kohl’s American Cup Soccer Experience Vehicle will be in North Little Rock providing a fun, family activity. The Interactive Village has three inflatable soccer shoot, pass and score facilities. Robyn Powell with the North Little Rock Visitors Bureau has additional information at 501-758-1427. Details on the soccer championships can be found on http://www.usyouthsoccer.org. Admission for spectators is free.

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Broadway legends Jo Swerling, Abe Burrows and Frank Loesser took writer Damon Runyon’s humorous short story “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown,” combined it with their talents and the end result was the award-winning Broadway play “Guys and Dolls.” Some of the Great White Way’s most colorful characters—“Nathan Detroit,” “Big Jule,” “Harry the Horse,” “Good Time Charley” and “Dave the Dude” – are featured along with such famous tunes as “Luck Be a Lady,” “Adelaide’s Lament” and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff will present its version of this classic July 24-27 in its theater at 701 Main St. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on July 26. Ticket prices range from $20 to $28. Contact the center at 870-536-3375 or to order tickets.

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The Beaver Paddle Festival Canoe and Kayak Rally will be July 25-26 on Table Rock Lake and the White River. Sponsored by the City of Beaver, the event will take place at Beaver Recreational Vehicle Park. For more information, phone 479-253-5700 or visit http://www.beavertownrvparks.com.

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The 11th annual Huntsville IPRA Rodeo is set for July 25-26 in Huntsville. Events include mutton bustin’, a grand entry and more. Participants come from around the country. For more information, phone 479-738-2840.

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The 26th annual Altus Grape Festival will be July 25-26. Join Chateau Aux Arc in celebrating Altus’ annual grape harvest by visiting the winery for tastings and music. Festival-goers are encouraged to dress in togas as their favorite Greek or Roman god or goddess. For more information, phone 479-468-4400 and visit http://www.chateauauxarc.com.

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Cowboy Days Swap ‘n’ Shop will be from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 25-27 in Belleville. The family event will include vendors, horse-related events and a Cowboy Church. For more information, phone 479-495-7100 and visit http://www.cowboyswapnshop.com.

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The 5th Annual Spa Rib Cook-Off is set for July 26 at the Exchange Street Parking Deck in downtown Hot Springs. The event features a chef competition for smoked and barbecue ribs. For more details, phone 501-624-3370.

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The World Championship Cardboard Boat Races begin at 10 a.m. on July 26 at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs. Youth and adult divisions will vie for the “Pride of the Fleet” award or the notorious “Titanic Award.” There will also be a tug-of-war contest, buried treasures, sand sculpting contest, World Championship Watermelon Eating Contest and Cardboard Boat Demolition Derby. For more information, phone 501-362-2444 or visit http://www.heber-springs.com.

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The residents of Cabot invite you to take part in their 4th annual Avenue of Dreams Home Spectacular July 26-27. Ten new furnished homes in Greystone, Lakewood, Cross Creek and other neighborhoods will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 27. Tickets are $10 each and are good for both days. All ticket proceeds benefit the Open Arms Shelter and the Lonoke County Safe Haven. Participants who have their ticket punched as they visit all 10 homes will be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 gas card grand prize or a $500 cash second prize.

Advance tickets are available from the Cabot Star Herald, The Furniture Store in Cabot, Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Community Bank, Arvest Bank and the Kroger store in Cabot. Tickets can also be purchased on the days of the tour from a ticket booth at the Cabot Kroger parking lot. The event is a project of the Cabot Area Home Builders Association. Rhonda House at 501-259-0509 or can provide additional information. A printable map of the tour is available on http://www.cabotaveofdreams.com.

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Throughout July, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena-West Helena will host Jazzin’ Jammin’ & Jivin’: The History of Jazz on Film, a temporary exhibit featuring 46 original movie posters featuring musical legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong and Arkansas’s own Louis Jordan. The exhibit will be displayed through Aug. 1. Visit http://www.DeltaCulturalCenter.com or phone 800-358-0972 to learn more.

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From July 30 – Sept. 10 the Mena Art Gallery in Mena hosts the popular Photography Show. The gallery opens at 10 a.m. For more information, visit http://www.MenaArtGallery.org or phone 479-394-3880.