Celebrate All Year Long!
Memorial Day Weekend
OPERATION SKYHOOK – PINE BLUFF REGIONAL AIRPORT
709 Hangar Row Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Jefferson County
This fly-in is sponsored by Black Pilots of America, Inc. Every Memorial Day weekend, member chapters arrive for a few days’ fun, aviation camaraderie and serious flying competition. Most participants own their aircraft and take pride in showing off their most prized possessions. Generous BPA, Inc. members volunteer to give airplane rides – “Young Eagle flights” – to hundreds of enthusiastic kids from the surrounding area.
The event culminates with an awards banquet as trophies are awarded to the members and chapters. There is also an individual “Top Gun Award” for the supreme pilot accumulating the highest number of points.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
Several annual celebrations take place throughout the Arkansas Timberland. Some include activities earlier in the evening, culminating with fireworks displays beginning at dark, about 9:00PM. Here are our favorites:
July 3, Poyen Sports Complex, 14685 US 270 West, Poyen, AR 72128 Grant County
July 4, Prattsville Fire Department, 9251 US 270, Prattsville, AR 72129 Grant County
July 4, Regional Park, 1100 Regional Park Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Jefferson County
July 4, James “Jitters” Morgan Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road, White Hall, AR 71612 Jefferson County
September, Third Weekend
SMOKE ON THE WATER BARBECUE & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Saracen Casino Resort, 1 Saracen Resort Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Jefferson County
Sissy’s Log Cabin Smoke on the Water Presented by Saracen Casino Resort is produced by Smoke on the Water Productions, a local promotor that has become the largest in professional barbecue competition. The production company organizes competitions across the U.S. with the world’s richest purses. The Pine Bluff event was voted Arkansas’ Best New Festival in 2001 and Festival of the Year in 2005 by the Arkansas Festival Association. In addition to the barbecue competition, the festival features barbecue sampling and a variety of family-friendly entertainment events.
Friday & Saturday Nearest Halloween Night
BOO ON THE BAYOU
Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, 1400 Black Dog Road, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Jefferson County
All goblins and ghouls are invited to come out for Boo on the Bayou from 6:00 until 9:00PM. Bring your family and enjoy all the fun and not-too-scary activities at the area's largest free Halloween event. Carnival area includes music, concessions, hunting and fishing games, candy, inflatables and a jack-o’lantern trail. Come in costume and don’t forget your flashlight. Free parking will be available.
Thanksgiving Monday through Christmas
ENCHANTED LAND OF LIGHTS AND LEGENDS
Pine Bluff Regional Park, 1100 Regional Park Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Jefferson County
The Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends transforms Regional Park into one of the brightest spots on the planet beginning annually on the week of the Thanksgiving holiday. Imaginative displays and well over a million lights provide a wonderful setting for this magical drive-through tour. Start a family tradition and let Pine Bluff light up your holiday season. Approximately 300,000 spectators drive through the award-winning display annually.
October, First Friday & Saturday
TIMBERFEST
Downtown Sheridan, AR 72150 Grant County
Held the first weekend of October, Timberfest is Grant County’s hearty festival where the finest talents in the area are showcased. Enjoyed by over 8,000, the free-admission event celebrates old-time skills such as dutch oven cooking, good gospel singing and timber felling (with an ax). Craft-lovers will find items from around the state and the kids will love the face painting, pony rides, miniature stock car races and other family activities.
