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October is the perfect month to embrace the crisp air, changing leaves and all the many other wonderful things that fall in Arkansas brings. There are so many local festivals to add to your calendar it will be hard to choose. Add in shopping events, the Arkansas State Fair, Tiger Tunes performance and many more making this one of the best months of the year! In the words of L.M. Montgomery through Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
Arkansas Apple Festival (Lincoln)
The Arkansas Apple Festival is held every year during the first weekend of October in Lincoln, Arkansas. It is guaranteed to provide a weekend of fun for the whole family, no matter how old you are. There will be three days of wholesome family entertainment and the center piece of the apple festival is the unequaled variety of arts and crafts featuring works of some of the most talented artisans in the Ozarks. There will be activities with contests for kids, musical entertainment, gospel singing, and much more. And yes, there will be an abundance of apple cider and free apple slices.
Venue: Lincoln Town Square
Date: Sept. 30-Oct. 2
More Information: Click Here
Junk Ranch (Prairie Grove)
The Junk Ranch is a two-day junking festival held on a 35-acre farm. 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: Sept. 30-Oct. 1
More Information: Click Here
Annual Frontier Day Festival (Paris)
The 43rd Annual 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, turtle races, costume contests, 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. 1
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. 1
More Information: Click Here
44th Annual Tiger Tunes (Arkadelphia)
The Tiger Tunes annual song and dance competition hosted by the Ouachita Baptist University Student Foundation is always a treat to watch. It consists of six-minute shows based on a pre-selected theme where social clubs and student groups compete in categories of theme and lyrics, costume, choreography, musicality and overall theme to earn the coveted title of Tiger Tunes Champion. If you’ve never been, check it out!
Venue: Ouachita Baptist University
Date: Oct. 5-7
More Information: Click Here
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. 5-8th
More Information: Click Here
Photo Credit: Bikes, Blues, and BBQ APONI
Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Rally (Rogers)
Bikes, Blues, and BBQ is a motorcycle rally with a purpose that benefits women, children, and the underserved members of the Northwest Arkansas community. Since the first Bikes, Blues, and BBQ, $3 million has been donated to local charities. The rally is located in the foothills of the Ozarks Mountains.
Venue: Rogers
Date: Oct. 5-8
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, tons of vendors, and cricket spitting for all to enjoy!
Venue: Cabot
Date: Oct. 7-8
More Information: Click Here
MusicFest (El Dorado)
El Dorado is taking it “back to the streets” this month with a vintage music festival. There will be great music for live entertainment, a 5K, rib cook-off, great food and shopping vendors. This festival has been voted one of the best festivals in Arkansas several times!
Venue: El Dorado
Date: Oct. 7-8
More Information: Click Here
TimberFest (Sheridan)
TimberFest is an annual festival held the first weekend in October of every year. The 39th Annual TimberFest 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. 7-8
More Information: Click Here
Vintage Market Days (NWA)
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. 7-9
More Information: Click Here
31st Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute champions nonfiction storytelling by providing a platform for storytellers to entertain, educate and 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 the best for you!
Venue: Arlington Resort and Hotel
Date: Oct. 7-15
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas Rice Festival (Weiner)
The 46th Annual Arkansas Rice Festival celebrates the rich heritage of rice farming in Arkansas and its harvest. The festival is held annually on the second weekend in October in Weiner 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. 8
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. 14-16
More Information: Click Here
Arkansas State Fair – Little Rock
Since 1940, the Arkansas State Fair features 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 names performers.
Venue: Arkansas State Fairgrounds (Little Rock)
Date: Oct. 14-23
More Information: Click Here
2022 Fallin’ Blackbird Festival & 5K (Beebe)
In 2010, there was an odd occurrence in Beebe that happened 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: Beebe
Date: Oct. 15
More Information: Click Here
Idessa Music & Arts Festival (Lonoke)
Lonoke is celebrating its 150th year with the Idessa Music & Arts Festival, named in honor of Idessa Malone, former Lonoke resident and one of the first African American women to own a recording label in the country. The festival will feature regional blues groups and local gospel singers. The blues groups appearing are Shannon Boshears from Little Rock, Terry “Big T” Williams from Clarksdale, MS, the Billy Gibson Quartet from Memphis, and Griffin and Friends from Northwest Arkansas. The visual arts component of the festival includes street art, art vendors with a variety of quality, handmade items, and maker spaces where attendees create take-home art projects. Maker spaces will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The main stage opens with gospel performances from 1 – 3 p.m. and transitions to blues performances from 4 – 10 p.m. Art vendors will be open from 11 a.m. -4 p.m., and food trucks will be available throughout the day.
Venue: Downtown Lonoke
Date: Oct. 15
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. 13-15
More Information: Click Here
40th 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. 21-22
More Information: Click Here
10th Annual 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, UFO’s, Bigfoot, Cryptozoology, Psychic Phenomena & Ghost Hunting will take the stage, proving in-depth education and intriguing insight.
Venue: MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Date: Oct. 29-30
More Information: Click Here
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