8 Must-Attend Arkansas Festivals and Events
Throughout the year, Arkansas residents come together for a variety of special occasions and celebrations. Each is unique, offering attendees a reason to gather and a place to make special memories. Here’s a list of eight must-attend Arkansas festivals and events that will enhance your experience in The Natural State.
In This Article
1. Tontitown Grape Festival
This Arkansas festival is all about tradition — the event itself has existed for more than 125 years. Tontitown has deep Italian roots, and that heritage comes front and center every August at the Tontitown Grape Festival.
Free to the public, this weeklong event in northwest Arkansas features live entertainment, famous spaghetti dinners and the iconic grape stomp. There’s also an arts and crafts fair, a “Run for the Grapes” race, carnival attractions and much more. It’s a week filled with joy and tradition and is an event you need to experience firsthand.
2. Toad Suck Daze
Toad Suck Daze is Arkansas’ largest free family event. Each year during the first weekend in May, more than 100,000 folks visit downtown Conway to enjoy rides, food, live music, children’s entertainment, world championship toad races, arts and crafts vendors and much more. The children’s programming is particularly robust, though the racing of the toads is a favorite activity for all ages.
“There is something for every member of the family at Toad Suck Daze, from carnival rides and food to award-winning children’s programming,” says Lee Hogan, chief marketing officer for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. “Conway is an incredibly close-knit community that loves to come together, celebrate and look for ways to give back, having contributed more than $2.4 million to local causes since its founding in 1982.”
3. Arkansas State Fair
Who doesn’t love a state fair? Arkansas knocks it out of the park, as its fair has all the staples that make for a successful experience. There are carnival rides, delicious fair food, livestock demonstrations, creative arts, pageants and much more.
With 85 years of history, the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock has become a beloved tradition that the whole family can look forward to enjoying each year. Whether you’re petting the animals, watching the 4-H competitions, browsing the arts submissions, watching the Great American Pig Races or cheering on local beauty queens, there’s plenty of entertainment to go around, making this a must-attend Arkansas event.
4. Hope Watermelon Festival
This Arkansas festival is a fun, family-friendly event held annually in Hope, AR, that celebrates the city’s watermelon-growing heritage. It’s filled with a variety of activities, such as watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests, live music, arts and crafts and a car show.
“The Hope Watermelon Festival reflects the personality and values of Hope and Hempstead County by celebrating community, tradition and hospitality,” says Christy Burns, executive director of the festival. “It highlights the area’s agricultural roots and fosters a strong sense of local pride. With its welcoming atmosphere and focus on local food, music and culture, the festival showcases a commitment to preserving heritage while enjoying good times.”
5. King Biscuit Blues Festival
Founded in 1986, the King Biscuit Blues Festival is one of the top blues music festivals in the nation.
Held in Helena, AR, this four-day event takes place in October and welcomes musicians and music lovers alike to share the tunes. The name of the festival pays homage to “King Biscuit Time,” a legendary radio show that featured live musicians playing the blues. This event really seeks to encapsulate and preserve the music and culture of the Delta, and it’s a significant contributor to the arts and culture scene of the state at large.
6. The Big Dam Bridge 100
Bringing riders together from across the athletic spectrum to central Arkansas, The Big Dam Bridge 100 is an event for those who love cycling. It’s a ride, not a race — an important distinction, as there are a wide range of riders of all levels and abilities.
More than 3,000 riders from over 35 states usually participate, and the course itself connects over 40 miles of scenic riverside trails between Little Rock and North Little Rock.
“The event provides participants with well-marked courses, fun aid stations with food and liquids, great volunteer support, an event T-shirt, a unique finisher medal and post-ride food and drinks, along with a unique finish line experience on the North Little Rock Riverfront Park,” says Bruce Dunn, president of All Sports Productions, who manages the ride. “Riders from around the country and the world tell us how much they appreciate the friendly and welcoming nature of the community.”
7. World Cheese Dip Championship
Also known as the WCDC, the World Cheese Dip Championship is part competition, part celebration of all things cheese dip. This Arkansas event, which got its start in 2010, has become a beloved tradition for residents of Little Rock and those who travel from all over to participate.
The state claims that cheese dip was invented here in the 1930s, and that ownership has spurred a fandom like no other. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own muffin tins to hold the samples they collect, and attendee votes help decide who wins the championship.
8. FreshGrass
Taking place in Bentonville, FreshGrass presents the best artists and bands within the roots music scene with the occasional genre-busting talent that spans alternative rock, country and even international musical acts. Along with fantastic music, there’s square dancing, a full vending village with local and regional food and craft vendors.
“FreshGrass prides itself on bringing in fun, exciting acts that may not have hit the mainstream yet or have widespread awareness,” says Adam Kerr, chief operating officer of FreshGrass Foundation. “Some of our best feedback comes from performances from lesser-known acts.”
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.