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October means cooler temps are coming in Arkansas and festivals and fairs will be in full swing! It also means crisp weather, pumpkin spice everything, football and soup, plus creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky things! It makes the perfect time to plan a weekend outing and check out a fun event around the state. The hard part will be deciding what to do each weekend because there are so many choices.
Junk Ranch (Prairie Grove)
The Junk Ranch is a two-day junking festival held on a 35-acre farm. This year the Junk Ranch will be celebrating 10 years in business and will kick off the show with a “Night Under The Lights” show. The big red barn, the farmhouse and the festival grounds will be full, with over 250 vendors. The farm becomes a junking paradise! By going early, you get the best chance at finding a one-of-a-kind treasure. Enjoy!
Venue: The Junk Ranch (11195 Centerpoint Church Road Prairie Grove)
Date: Oct. 5-7
More Information: Click Here
Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Parks and Tourism
King Biscuit Blues Festival (Helena-West Helena)
Founded in 1986, the King Biscuit Blues Festival is one of the nation’s foremost showcases of blues music. It lasts for three full days in October, and tens of thousands of blues enthusiasts from all over the world converge on historic downtown Helena to hear stirring and uplifting performances of an American art form on the banks of the Mississippi River. Consisting of five stages and a wide variety of buskers, the indescribable personality and culture of “Tent City,” where there are food and arts/crafts vendors galore, make this a weekend event worthy of adding to your plan this month.
Venue: 198 Missouri Street
Date: Oct. 5-7
More Information: Click Here
TimberFest (Sheridan)
TimberFest is an annual festival held the first weekend in October of every year. The festival will have a Lumberjack competition, Baggo tournament, 5k, a car show, food, rides and live entertainment. This festival is one you don’t want to miss.
Venue: Sheridan
Date: Oct. 6-7
More Information: Click Here
MusicFest (El Dorado)
MusicFest El Dorado is put on by Main Street Eldorado and is an event you don’t want to miss. There is an all-star musical lineup prepared and ready to perform and provide some great entertainment to festivalgoers. There will also be many other activities and food vendors.
Venue: Main Street El Dorado
Date: Oct. 6-7
More Information: Click Here
32nd Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute champions nonfiction storytelling by providing a platform for storytellers to entertain, educate, broaden perspectives and celebrate their love of documentaries. The Institute engages audience members with impactful cinematic experiences through an annual festival and year-round programming. Check out the schedule of events and choose what is best for you!
Venue: Arlington Resort and Hotel
Date: Oct. 6-14
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Goat Festival (Perryville)
The Arkansas Goat Festival returns to Perryville so everyone can get their annual dose of goat costume contests, goat parades, goat games, goat races, goat contests and goat products. There will be fun, food and general goat-related shenanigans to delight the whole family.
Venue: Perryville City Park
Date: Oct. 7
More Information: Click Here
Annual Frontier Day Festival (Paris)
The Frontier’s Day festival is a family-friendly event where you will be able to watch the Old West come to life! There will be bounce houses for the kids and live entertainment coming from local talent on the main stage, not to mention food and craft vendors.
Venue: Downton Paris on the square
Date: Oct. 7
More Information: Click Here
Royal Cheese Dip Festival (Benton)
How much cheese dip can you eat and which one is your favorite? The Royal Cheese Dip Festival will be in Benton and give you a chance to test and choose the best cheese dip.
Venue: Saline County Courthouse
Date: Oct. 7
More Information: Click Here
CabotFest (Cabot)
CabotFest has been a strong community tradition since 1978. It was originally a fundraiser to help Cabot rebuild after the damage of the 1976 tornado. Now, it has turned into a full-blown festival with a carnival, 5K, live music and tons of vendors.
Venue: Cabot
Date: Oct. 12-14
More Information: Click Here
Rendezvous in the Ozarks (Ozark)
If you own a four-wheel drive vehicle and enjoy the overlanding lifestyle, or you want to learn more about this fast-growing passion, you are invited to join Natural State Overland at Mulberry Mountain Lodge in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. You will rendezvous with others who share your interest in overland-style travel and all the adventure it brings!
Venue: Mulberry Mountain Lodge
Date: Oct. 12-14
More Information: Click Here
Vintage Market Days (Bentonville)
Vintage Market Days is an upscale vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and more. The market is a three-day event and is a unique opportunity for vendors to display their talents and passions in different venues and for shoppers to enjoy and appreciate their creations.
Venue: Benton County Fairgrounds
Date: Oct. 13-15
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas State Fair (Little Rock)
Since 1940, the Arkansas State Fair has been fun for the entire family including a large variety of food vendors, carnival, midway rides, livestock show, arts and crafts, rodeo and musical entertainment featuring top-name performers.
Venue: Arkansas State Fairgrounds (Little Rock)
Date: Oct. 13-22
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Rice Festival (Weiner)
The 47th Annual Arkansas Rice Festival in Weiner celebrates the rich heritage of rice farming in Arkansas and its harvest. The festival is held annually on the second weekend in October in conjunction with National Rice Promotion Month. There will be entertainment and events to enjoy, such as a rice cook-off, threshing demonstrations, street dance, car show, kid’s activities and more!
Venue: Weiner
Date: Oct. 14
More Information: Click Here
War Eagle Fair (Hindsville)
The War Eagle Fair began in 1954. It was started as a way for crafters from across the Ozarks region to display their works. It continues today over 60 years later with the same idea. With more than 250 booths of all handcrafted products displayed by their creators, the War Eagle Fair takes place along the banks of the War Eagle Creek. A beautiful Fall setting of changing leaves makes the perfect weekend getaway experience for you and your family.
Venue: Camp War Eagle (11037 High Sky Inn Rd, Hindsville, Arkansas)
Date: Oct. 19-22
More Information: Click Here
Thunder Over the Rock (Jacksonville)
S.T.E.M Fest is returning in conjunction with the 2023 Little Rock Air Force Base’s Thunder over the Rock Air Show this October. STEM Fest is Arkansas’ largest science festival that showcases real-life careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Not only will there be an amazing S.T.E.M festival, but the Air Show put on by the U.S. Thunderbirds is one you don’t want to miss!
Venue: Little Rock Air Force Base
Date: Oct. 21-22
More Information: Click Here
2023 Fallin’ Blackbird Festival & 5K (Beebe)
In 2010, there was an odd occurrence in Beebe on New Year’s Eve when thousands of blackbirds mysteriously dropped from the sky. That event makes for a fun festival theme. There will be lots of activities for the entire family to enjoy, such as a 5K, blackbird pie eating contest, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, entertainment and activities for kids!
Venue: Downtown Beebe
Date: Oct. 21
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Scottish Festival (Batesville)
Every year Batesville hosts one of America’s most popular Scottish festivals. Pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes, Scottish clans and vendors travel from all corners of the country to attend the event. Be sure to check it out and all the activities this festival has to offer.
Venue: Lyon College
Date: Oct. 27-29
More Information: Click Here
Annual Bean Fest and Championship Outhouse Races (Mountain View)
Do you think you have the best beans around? Show up and cook for your chance to win. Enjoy music and dancing on the Courthouse Square throughout the day and sample free beans and cornbread. There will be handmade craft vendors and outrageous outhouse races. The dinner bell will ring at noon, and the “Bean Fest Cooking Champion” will be crowned. Outhouse Races will follow dinner.
Venue: Mountain View
Date: Oct. 27-28
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Paranormal Expo (Little Rock)
The Arkansas Paranormal Expo is a benefit supporting the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. The Tower Building, which was built in 1840, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur. It is their mission to raise funds to help preserve this beautiful, historic building. The Arkansas Paranormal Expo has grown to be one of the biggest and most popular events of its kind in all of Arkansas. Subjects such as UFOs, Bigfoot, Cryptozoology, psychic phenomena and ghost hunting will take the stage, providing in-depth education and intriguing insight.
Venue: MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Date: Oct. 28-29
More Information: Click Here
Magic Screams at Magic Springs (Hot Springs)
Magic Springs hosts a Magic Screams event every Saturday and Sunday in October. There will be Halloween-themed activities every week. Check it out!
Venue: Magic Springs
Date: Saturdays and Sundays in October
More Information: 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.
Shinedown- Oct 5.
Odesza- Oct. 6
The All-American Rejects- Oct. 10
Sting- Oct. 12
Need a pumpkin patch to visit this month? Check out a list of pumpkin patches and corn mazes here.
Like this story? Read more from Amanda Farris
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[…] Check out more fun things to do in October! […]