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The carefree days of summer are winding down with getting ready to go back to school and routine this month. But that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. August in Arkansas is packed with a full lineup of festivals, music, sports and events to choose from.
Tontitown Grape Festival | Tontitown
Make plans to visit this top fair and festival. There will be live music, delicious food, including a spaghetti dinner, arts and crafts, a 5k and more! This is a unique festival all about a tradition that you don’t want to miss.
Date: Aug. 1-5
Schedule of Events: Click Here
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Fiddle and Banjo Championships | Mountain View
Arkansas Fiddle and Banjo Championships and Concerts return to the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. 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 in the afternoon. Audience admission is free for contests from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. In the evening, there will be a special show from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. by fiddle & banjo extraordinaires Betse & Clarke, Roger Fountain, Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy Matthews & the Old Time Players, and the Ozark Folk Center Square Dancers. The evening show is a ticketed event.
Date: Aug. 5
More Information: Click Here
Watermelon Festival | Hope
The Hope Watermelon Festival celebrates Hope’s (Hempstead County) claim as the home of the world’s largest watermelons. The festival features numerous activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment and other family-oriented activities. Local civic clubs hold dinners featuring down-home fare such as locally raised 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.
Interesting Hope Watermelon History: A notable champion melon, weighing 268.8 pounds, was cut from the vine on September 3, 2005, by Lloyd Bright. He grew it on his father Ivan’s farm east of Hope on the sandy ridge where many of the big melons have been grown. The family had raised notable melons from 1973, when a cousin was the winner, to 1986, when Lloyd Bright’s son Jason had a 260-pound melon listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Date: Aug. 10-12
More Information: Click Here
Raza Dance Festival |Rogers
The Raza Dance Festival is the first and only Latin dance festival in NWA, bringing together teachers and dancers from all over the world. Prepare to be inspired by champions of international competitions who will share their expertise through workshops and private classes available to you all weekend, taking your dancing to the next level.
Date: Aug. 11-13
More Information: Click Here
Amplify | Benton
Amplify Fest is a FREE two-day event that will be held on a 20-acre grass field in Benton. The cost of the production and artists is paid for by local sponsoring businesses, individuals, and churches that share the vision for growing the Kingdom of God. The goal is to gather believers and unbelievers together under the banner of Christ–through contemporary Christian music as a vehicle for evangelism and worship.
Date: Aug. 18-19
More Information/ Tickets: Click Here
19th Annual Mountains, Music and Motorcycles | Mountain View
Grab your bikes and riding buddies and cruise to the scenic Mountain View area for some of the best motorcycle riding in the country! The 16th Annual Mountain, Music, and Motorcycles is a one-of-a-kind event that takes place in downtown Mountain View, which offers biker games, a poker run, a walk-a-bout scavenger hunt, and games hosted by the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce.
Date: August 18-20
More Information: Click Here
Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry | Dardanelle
“Chicken, Pickin’ and Politickin'” at its finest! Mt. Nebo has played host to the Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry since 1948. Tyson’s award-winning cooks and chamber volunteers prepare chicken strips, smoked chicken and all the fixings. Join in on the friendly competitions between family and neighbors or just grab a seat and take in the view while enjoying live music and Tyson’s award-winning chicken dinners. Bring your lawn chair and plan to stay the day!
Date: August 19
More Information: Click Here
31st Annual VW Festival | Eureka Springs
The 31st Annual VW Weekend 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 numerous 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. 25-27
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. On Sunday at 10 a.m., everyone will gather at Queen Wilhelmina State Park for a Sunday morning church service and close out the event with awards and giveaways. This annual event is fun for all ages.
Venue: Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Date: Aug. 25-27
Contact: Click Here
Hot Springs Baseball Weekend | Hot Springs
In an event-packed weekend designed to offer something for every baseball fan, attendees can meet Hall of Fame major league stars, revisit the time period when Hot Springs hosted major league spring training, and buy and trade sports memorabilia. Major League Baseball Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Wade Boggs, Goose Gossage and Steve Carlton will be in attendance.
Venue: Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Boulevard
Date: August 25 & 26
More Information: Click Here
Fort Smith International Film Festival | Fort Smith
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 River Valley through transformative cinematic experiences and educational film opportunities. In its third year, all genres are accepted, and no date limits on production.
Date: Aug. 25-26
More Information: Click Here
National Championship 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. 26-Sept. 3
Time: Click Here for Event Schedule
Contact: Click Here
Rhea Lana’s
Rhea Lana’s is a children’s consignment event and Arkansas-based company 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 30- Aug. 5
Conway: July 30- Aug. 5
El Dorado: Aug. 6- Aug. 10
Searcy: Aug. 7-Aug. 12
Benton/Bryant: Aug. 20- Aug. 26
Drive-In Movies
Catching a drive-in movie is a perfect way to spend a summer night in Arkansas. There are only two drive-in theatres in the state at the moment. Check out if one is close to you!
Stone Drive-In (Mountain View)
Kenda Drive-In (Marshall)
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.1-6, and Aug. 22-27
Venue: Dickey-Stephens Park (Little Rock)
Tickets: Click Here
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Baseball
Date: Home Games will be Aug. 8-13, Aug. 22-27, and Aug. 29-31
Venue: Arvest Ballpark (Springdale)
Tickets: Click Here
Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion Cox Concert Series | Rogers
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.
3 Doors Down- Aug. 9
Luke Bryan- Aug. 10
Boy George & Culture Club -Aug. 14
Pantera -Aug. 15
The Smashing Pumpkins – Aug. 16
Beck & Phoenix- Aug. 18
KIDZ BOP- Aug. 19
Sam Hunt- Aug. 20
Jelly Roll- Aug. 24
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