Update

I may be slow updating April - I had a family emergency pop up.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

We went to the St. Paddy Parade in Eureka Springs a few years ago and loved it, and this year we were able to go back again.  If you haven't been to any of the parades in Eureka Springs, I highly recommend them.  It's a fun atmosphere, and biker friendly, but still family oriented.  There are tons of kids around trying to catch candy and beads (just like Mardi Gras!) and there are bars for the adults and lots of shopping.  We always get an all-day trolly pass ($4.50) which lets you ride any of the trolleys all day long, getting on and off as much as you please.  If you're feeling more adventurous, wear some good shoes and walk up the hills.  Since this is the St. Paddy Parade report, I'll try to stay on topic and not go into geocaching, etc.

Anyway, the parade starts with a piper in a kilt and has a bunch of floats and walkers throwing candy and beads to all.  Everyone is dressed in green, including the crowd, and many people bring their dogs and dress them up too.  The parade itself was only about 30 minutes long this year, but definitely worth making the trip to Eureka Springs.  I've got pictures and a video that I'll be uploading soon.

Also on Wordpress

My blog is also on Wordpress, because they have some better formatting options and it's easier to navigate to all the different topics, like Caves, Parks, etc.  For the mean time, I'm going to keep both blogs going until I get all the wrinkles ironed out.

Fairs, Fesitivals and Events - March 2013

Last updated March 19th.


Cookin' with  Coals Cook-off
March 2
Mammoth Spring State Park
Mammoth Spring, AR

Eureka Springs Zombie Tag
(Facebook page)
March 2
Lake Leatherwood
Eureka Springs, AR
Family-friendly event

Cane Hill Kite Festival
March 5
Springfield Ranch
Cane Hill, AR
$1-$2, free for military families

1st Annual Bags for Books (luncheon and auction)
Benefit to support free books for NWA kids
March 7
Springdale Holiday Inn
Springdale, AR

11th Annual Mountain View Bluegrass Festival
March 7-8-9
Mountain View, AR
 
Women in Information Technology Conference
March 7-8
Reynolds Center (UA Campus)
Fayetteville, AR
Preregister online

Mystery Dinner Theater
March 8 & 9
Flaps Down Grill
Springdale, AR
$34

Handpicked and Handmade Craft Show
March 8-9-10
Ozark Folk Center
Mountain View, AR

11th Annual Kiss A Pig Gala
March 9
John Q. Hammon Convention Center
Rogers, AR

31st Annual Victorian Classic
March 9
Eureka Springs, AR
Benefits Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and ES Carnegie Library

Mystery Dinner Theater
March 10
Acoustic Mud
Bella Vista, AR
$32.50

NWA Fashion Week
March 11 - 16
Northwest Arkansas

16th Annual Sowbug Roundup
March 14 - 16
Mountain Home, AR

Mystery Dinner Theater
March 15 & 16
Tavola Trattoria
Bentonville, AR
$52

Benefit  Concert - Ozark Prayers for Peyton
March 16
Fine Arts Ctr Auditorium
Calico Rock, AR
$10

2nd Annual Chocolate Roll Festival
March 16
Marshall, AR

20th Annual St. Paddy Parade
March 16, 2pm
Eureka Springs, AR

17th Annual Spring Antique Show & Sale
March 16 - 17
Eureka Springs, AR

Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" by the American Shakespeare Center
March 16
Ozark Folk Center
Mountain View, AR
$17

Mystery Dinner Theater
March 17
Acoustic Mud
Bella Vista, AR
$32.50

Spring Equinox Gathering
March 17
Open-Air Meditation Sanctuary
Eureka Springs, AR

Ozark Folk School
March 18 - 22
Ozark Folk Center
Mountain View, AR
$ varies, register by March 1st

30th Annual Arkansas Fiddlers Convention
March 21 -24
Harrison, AR

Battle of Pea Ridge 150th Anniversary Reenactment
March 22-23-24
Pea Ridge, AR
Note: This is not at the park.

Devil's Den Rocks!
March 22-23-24
Devil's Den State Park
West Fork, AR
Free

Eureka Springs Kite Festival
March 23
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Eureka Springs, AR


Hershey's 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt to benefit the NWA Children's Shelter
March 23
Orchards Park
Bentonville, AR

Cupcakes and Cocktails to benefit The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation
March 29
Fayetteville Town Center
Fayetteville, AR
Tickets are $50, sold in advance

5th Annual Easter Egg Roundup of the Ozarks
March 30, 10 am
Parson Stadium
Springdale, AR

Celebrate Jesus Parade (FB)
March 30, 11:30 am
Eureka Springs, AR

Iron Pig Festival
March 30
Fayetteville, AR

World's Largest Baby Shower
March 30
Holiday Inn Convention Center
Springdale, AR

Eureka Springs EasterBelles Easter Parade
March 31, noon
Eureka Springs, AR


Crescent Hotel Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt
March 31
Eureka Springs, AR

Sunrise Service at the Passion Play
March 31, 7 am
Eureka Springs, AR
War Eagle Mill Easter Egg Hunt
March 31, 1 pm
Rogers, AR

Kids Stuff!

This post is always under construction as I find new events for kids.  Being listed here does not imply an endorsement.

SEASONAL EVENTS

January - April, 2013
Mother Nature Reads
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area
2nd Wednesday and Saturday

March - October, sometimes later
Silver Dollar City
Branson, MO
They have seasonal shows too.
$varies

Spring - Summer, and holidays during the rest of the year
Lokomotion
Fayetteville, AR
Mini-golf, laser tag, bumper boats, go-karts

Opens May 25, 2013
Rogers Aquatic Center
Rogers, AR

May - August
White Water
part of Silver Dollar City
Branson, MO
$varies

September - early November
Farmland Adventures
Corn maze, pony rides, farm animals, pumpkins
Springdale, AR
$9 adults



YEAR ROUND EVENTS/PLACES

Boingo Bounce
Fayetteville, AR
This is one of those bouncy birthday party places, but they do have public times too.
Open bounce:  Tuesday & Thursday 3 - 8 pm
                         Friday 9 am - 4 pm
                         Saturday 6 - 9 pm
                         Sunday 5 - 8 pm
Toddler Time:  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9 am - 1 pm
Children 2-5 are $6
Children 6 and up are $8
Under 2, free with another paid child
Parents are always free.
(Information last checked April 20, 2013)

Crystal Bridges
Bentonville, AR
The museum offers a variety of classes and workshops for all ages of children.  Check out their calendar for more information.  They also have summer camps.
Open 11 - 6 on M, Th, Sa, Su
Open 11 - 9 on W, Fr
Closed on Tuesdays
Entrance is free for the permanent collection.

Fast Lane Bowl
Lowell, AR
It's not just a bowling alley.  It also has an arcade, go-karts, and laser tag.

The Fayetteville Athletic Club
Fayetteville, AR
The FAC has a number of children's programs including after school programs and summer camps too.
Their Kid's Factory is open 7 days a week, with reduced hours on Sunday.

Imagine Studios
Rogers, AR
This art studio does paint your own pottery, and has birthday parties and summer camps.
Public hours:  Tuesday 12 - 5:30
                       Thursdays 12 - 5
                       Friday 10 - 5:30
                       Saturday 10 - 3
(Information last checked April 20, 2013)

The Jones Center
Springdale, AR
The Jones Center has memberships as low as $15 a year for kids.  They also have an ice rink!
Open 7 days a week, with reduced hours on Sunday.

Jump Zone Party Play Centers
Bentonville, AR
Another bouncy birthday party place.  10,000 square feet of jumping!
There are open play hours and discounts for military families.  Parents are always free.
The 1st Wednesday of every month, 5 - 7 pm is Special Needs Night with free admission.

Northwest Arkansas Children's Museum
Still in the planning stages, but hopefully coming soon!

Rogers Activity Center
Rogers, AR
The Center offers many different activities for kids of all ages.  Check their site for options and pricing, because there's too much to list here.
Open 7 days a week, with reduced hours on Sunday.

Starlight Skatium
Fayetteville, AR
Roller skating, birthday parties, and roller derby!
Hours:  Wednesday 5:30 - 8:30 pm, $5
             Friday 7 - 11 pm, $7
             Saturday 1 - 4 pm, $5 and 7 - 11 pm, $7
             Sunday 1 - 4, $5
(Information last checked April 20, 2013)

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Eureka Springs, AR
Open every day except Christmas
Summer hours 9:00-6:00; Winter hours 9:00-5:00
Children 2 years and under free
Children 3-12 $10.00
Seniors or Veterans $10:00
Adults $15.00
They have lots of big cats and you can even spend the night!
(Information last checked April 20, 2013)

Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum
Tulsa, OK
Open daily 9:00 - 5:00, except Christmas and 3rd Friday of June
Children 2 years and under free
Children 3-11 $4.00
Seniors 65+ $6:00
Adults $8
Half price admission on Mother's and Father's Day.
Call 2 weeks in advance for group or school rates for 25 or more people.
Credit cards accepted; no personal checks
If you have a Tulsa Zoo Friend Membership, entrance is free
If you are a member of another AZA zoo, entrance is half price
From April 1 - October 31, cars entering Mohawk Park on weekends and holidays pay $2 cash fee ($10 for buses). (Free for Zoo Friends members).
(Information last checked April 20, 2013)


Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari
Gentry, AR
Open daily at 9 a.m. including holidays
Children 2 years and under free
Children 3-12 $8.00
Adults $10.00
Call for group rates
No debit or credit cards
(Information last checked April 20, 2013)

Fairs and Festivals - February 2013

***Between now and February 27th, vote for Coach Mike Anderson in the Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge.  If Mike wins, the NWA Food Bank gets $100,000!  [Requires ESPN login.]

Mardi Gras is in February this year.  Be sure to check out all the events at Eureka Gras in Eureka Springs. (unofficial site)


Interfaith Harmony Day
March 2
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, aR

Civil War Traveling Exhibit
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Feb 6 - 26
Garfield, AR

Daddy Daughter Dance
Feb 8 or Feb 9
Siloam Springs, AR

Night Must Fall
Feb 8 - 10, 15 - 16
Arts Center of the Ozarks
$9 - $20

9th Annual Chocolate Lovers' Festival
Feb 9
Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center
Eureka Springs, AR

Mother Nature Reads
Feb 9 & Feb 13
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area
Rogers, AR

Polar Plunge for the Arkansas Special Olympics
Feb 9
Beaver Lake
Rogers, AR

NWA Go Red for Women Event
Feb 12
John Q. Hammons Center
Rogers, AR

Civil War Secrets of Osage Springs
Feb 16
Rogers Historical Museum
Rogers, AR
$5, must pre-register

Flappers & Fellas Ball & Auction
Feb 23
Arts Center of the Ozarks

Valley Inn production team mixer
Feb 28, 6:30 pm
UARK Bowl
Fayetteville, AR

Dig In! Food and Farming Festival
(Facebook)
Feb 28 - Mar 2
UA Global Campus (Fayetteville Square)
Fayetteville, AR

Fairs and Festivals - January 2013