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Statewide Benton Clinton Conway El Dorado Eureka Springs Fayetteville Fort Smith Hope Jacksonville Little Rock Marshall Mena Mountain Home Mountain View Rogers Searcy Springdale
August marks the winding down of summertime, not because the temperatures are dropping (that would be nice), but because students around the state are heading back to school and back into a routine. So, get out and enjoy the Natural State in August. Make some more summer memories before heading back to the classroom.
Watermelon Festival (Hope)
The Hope Watermelon festival features numerous activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment, and other family-oriented activities. Local civic clubs hold dinners featuring such down-home fare as locally grown smoked chicken and golden fried catfish. At the festival you can also participate in a 5k race, browse the car show, and have a blast in the Kidz Zone.
Date: Aug. 11-13
More Information: Click Here
Photo Expo (Little Rock)
If you love photography, you do not want to miss this event. Join hundreds of photographers, no matter the experience level. The Little Rock Expo is a great experience, with classes and hands-on demonstrations, a huge trade show with all the major photographic companies showing off the latest gear and answering any questions. You will become inspired as you get up close and personal with world renowned keynote speakers, such as Moose Peterson – Nikon Ambassador, Patrick Murphy–Racey – Sony Artisan, Miles Witt Boyer – Fuji X Photographer, David Bergman – Canon Explorer of Light and many more regional speakers. Yes, bring your camera as there will be many unique photo opportunities-you will want to participate in. So be ready to laugh, learn and become inspired to take YOUR photography to the next level.
Date: Aug. 4-6
More Information: Click Here
State Fiddle and Banjo Championship (Mountain View)
Arkansas Fiddle and Banjo Championships and Concerts return to the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View this August. The event features two state championship contests in one day. Talented banjo players in the region will compete in the morning for the state banjo championship and fiddle players will compete for the championship in the afternoon. Audience admission is free for contests from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.In the evening, a double-header concert will feature performances by The Ozark Highballers and Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy Matthews & the Old Time Players from 7 to 9 p.m. This evening show is a ticketed event.
Date: Aug. 6
More Information: Click Here
Titan’s Obstacle Course (Jacksonville)
The Titans Obstacle Course is an obstacle race for kids ages 6-15 as an end-of-summer adventure that they won’t want to miss. Kids will navigate through fun and challenging obstacles including a mud run, slip n’ slide, tire run, noddle jump, and many more! This event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Jacksonville Community Center, ending outside at the Farmers’ Market Pavilion! Participants will receive an official Titans Obstacle Course sweatband. Get registered today here: Titans Obstacle Course Registration
Date: Aug. 6
Time: 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
More Information: Click Here
Fayetteville Roots Festival
Fayetteville Roots Festival is a multiday, intimate, urban music and food festival. The festival features over 10 music stages and multiple culinary stages and events. The Roots Festival is a showcase of many of the elements that make the Fayetteville community and Northwest Arkansas region a beloved cultural hot spot.
Venue: Northwest Arkansas
Date: Aug. 25-27
Contact: Click Here
Fort Smith International Film Festival
The Fort Smith International Film Festival is brought to you by a group of people with a love for film with the goal to build a vibrant film culture in the The River Valley through transformative cinematic experiences and educational film opportunities.
Date: Aug. 26-27
More Information: Click Here
Photo Credit: Eureka Springs VW Show
30th Annual VW Festival (Eureka Springs)
The 30th Annual VW Weekend is in August, and it is the ultimate car show weekend in Eureka Springs. It’s not just for the fancy show cars. It is for bugs, vans and everything in between. There will be lots of vendors with those much looked for parts and accessories. Ride through the beautiful Ozark Mountains on a lovely summer weekend with all your new and old VW buddies.
Venue: Eureka Springs
Date: Aug. 26-28
Admission: Free
Contact: Click Here
Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run (Mena)
There will be over 200 hot rods at the Annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run on display. There will be a Hot Rod parade down main street for everyone to enjoy. On Saturday, the rods will be on display atop Rich Mountain at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. They then make their way to downtown Mena’s South Mena Street for the Saturday Night Street Dance and Concert. There will be fun and good times on Saturday evening and concessions will be available. On Sunday at 10 a.m. they will gather at Queen Wilhelmina State Park for a Sunday morning church service and close out the event with awards and give-a-ways. This annual event is fun for all ages.
Venue: Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Date: Aug. 26-28
Contact: Click Here
Chuckwagon Races (Clinton)
The Chuckwagon Races are held Friday through Sunday every Labor Day weekend in Clinton, Arkansas. Each year, an estimated 20,000 people are on hand to watch the excitement of chuckwagon racing, bronc fanning, and the Snowy River Race. In addition to the four performances, bands perform after the races and dances are held each weekend. Vendors of Western collectibles, crafts, art, saddles and tack are set up throughout the week at the Western Trade show. Ozark Mountain trail rides begin on Tuesday and are included as a part of the weekend’s festivities. Make plans to check out the Chuckwagon Races in Arkansas!
Venue: 2484 Shake Rag Road
Date: Aug. 27-Sept. 4
Time: Click Here for Event Schedule
Contact: Click Here
Rhea Lana’s is a children’s consignment event that offers moms around the country what every family is looking for: the chance to earn a paycheck off outgrown items, purchase high quality pieces at budget-friendly prices, and business opportunities for parents searching for flexibility. There are several events going on in Arkansas this August. Check them out! Mountain Home: July 31- Aug. 6 Conway: July 31- Aug. 6 El Dorado: Aug. 7- Aug. 11 Searcy: Aug. 8-Aug. 13 Benton/Bryant: Aug. 21- Aug. 27
Drive-In Movies
Catching a drive-in movie is a perfect way to spend a summer night in Arkansas. There are 3 drive in theatres in the state. Check out of them that is closest to you! Stone Drive-In (Mountain View) Kenda Drive-In (Marshall) 112 Drive-In (Fayetteville)
Minor League Baseball in Arkansas
Arkansas is fortunate to be home to two minor league baseball clubs. The Arkansas Travelers are a Minor League Baseball team based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Travelers are affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are based out of Springdale and are an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Attending the games of these ball clubs is always fun because they have activities for the crowds, themed nights, and the best ballpark food. Take time this month to head to a game with friends or family.
Arkansas Travelers Baseball
Date: Home Games will be Aug. 2-7, Aug. 9- 14, and Aug. 23-27
Venue: Dickey-Stephens Park (Little Rock)
Tickets: Click Here
Arkansas Naturals Baseball
Date: Home Games will be Aug. 2-7, Aug. 16-21, and Aug. 23-28
Venue: Arvest Ballpark (Springdale)
Tickets: Click Here
Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion Cox Concert Series (Rogers)
Summertime is in full swing in Arkansas and that means lots of outdoor music events for the Cox Concert Series. The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion has a full lineup of different genres. Which one of these would be your top pick to attend? There are still tickets available for some of these.
Big Time Rush- Aug. 2
Dierks Bentley- Aug. 4
Wiz Khalifa & Logic- Aug. 8
OneRepublic- Aug. 9
Halestorm- Aug. 10
Incubus- Aug. 16
Keith Urban- Aug. 18
Morgan Wallen- Aug. 26
Amanda Farris is homeschooling mom to four. She is a teacher/coach who hung up her coaching whistle after she got promoted to motherhood. She has a Masters degree in Nutrition. She loves running and homeschool, is a certified running coach and has a YouTube channel all about homeschooling and life. She loves long chats over coffee with her husband and fresh flowers on her table. Her friends would call her a "gatherer of people” and a “doer of projects” ! You can find her on YouTube HERE.
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