Each Friday, AY President and Publisher Heather Baker sits down with the guys at 103.7 The Buzz to share some of the hottest events going on over the weekend in Arkansas. With so many fun things going on, you shouldn’t be limited to just a few events, though!
Listen to Heather Baker talk to David, Tommy and Roger this morning on 103.7 The Buzz, below.
There are always great things to do in the Natural State, and AY has compiled some of the most exciting events. Here are the top 10 weekend events coming up from Friday, May 21 to Sunday, May 23.
Friday, May 21-Saturday, May 23
What: 69th Annual Home Show
Where: Statehouse Convention Center
When: 9am-6pm (Saturday), 10am-5pm (Sunday)
This is the largest and longest-running event of its kind in the state of Arkansas. Hosted by Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock, experts on home improvement, interior design, outdoor solutions remodeling and more will be there to answer your questions. There will also be a showroom where visitors can buy what they need to do projects. Tickets are $10 apiece and children under 12 can attend for free.
Friday, May 21-Saturday, May 23
What: Argenta Dogtown Throwdown
Where: Argenta Arts District in North Little Rock
When: 4 pm on Friday
This will be a weekend-long celebration of the arts and food in North Little Rock. It will start off with a Happy Hour at 4pm on Friday. There will be live music from Chris DeClerk at 6pm on Friday. On Saturday, the Argenta Farmers Market will be held from 7:30-10:30 am. You can enjoy performances and more from Ballet Arkansas during the Argenta Dogtown Throwdown. The Big Dam Horns will perform at 7pm on Saturday. There will be a massive crawfish boil on Sunday at 2 pm. The festival has free admission.
Friday, May 21-Saturday, May 23
What: Lighting on Ludwig
Where: Lake Ludwig in Clarksville
When: 12-5pm (Friday), 10am-5pm (Saturday), 12-5pm (Sunday)
Lightning on Ludwig features hydroplane boat racing, where boats go 70-100 mph on the water. You’ll get to see stock and modified outboard hydroplanes on the lake. Races consist of two heats of three laps for each day of racing. Cost: Free
Friday, May 21-Saturday, May 23
What: Ballet Arkansas Live at the Plaza
Where: Argena Plaza in North Little Rock
When: Multiple times throughout weekend
Ballet Arkansas and the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced their partnership in the launch of Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza, a two-weekend educational and performance program in May 2021 at Argenta Plaza at 510 Main Street in North Little Rock. Held the first and third weekends of May 2021, Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza, the live performances will include works of classical and contemporary dance by world-renowned choreographers including Yoshito Sakuraba, Alice Flock and Florian Lochner, and make use of the stage, water features and open space in Argenta Plaza. Ballet Arknasas will hold educational classes and performances free to the public. On Friday, BA will be at Argenta Plaza from 11:30am-12:30 pm and from 7-8pm.On Saturday, BA will be at Argenta Plaza from 8am-12pm, 1-2pm, and from 6-7pm.On Sunday, BA will be at Argenta Plaza from 8am-12pm and 1-2pm.
Friday, May 21-Saturday, May 23
What: Piggott Heritage Car Show
Where: Heritage Park in Piggott
When: 7pm (Friday), 8am (Saturday and Sunday)
This is the 22nd annual Piggott Heritage Car Show. The car show begins on Saturday morning and will feature beautiful vintage cars. At 6pm on Saturday, there will be a Heritage Park Car Show Cruise, letting you see all the cars in action. There will be a free concert by Vintage, a Benton band on Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm. There will be plenty of food and treats for purchase. The car show awards are held on Sunday. Admission fee is $3.
Saturday, May 22
What: Black History Walking Tours
Where: Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
When: 9am
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will be holding a tour of Black history landmarks in Little Rock, starting out at 9thStreet. Some of the landmarks include First Missionary Baptist, Red’s Pool Hal and Dreamland Ballroom. This tour is part of the cultural center’s “The Negro Motorist Green Book” exhibit. This exhibit, developed by the Smithsonian Institution, highlights the realities of travel for African Americans in the 20thCentury. If you miss it in May, there are tours planned for June and July. Cost: Free
Saturday, May 22
What: Little Rock BrunchFest
Where: Heifer Village
When: 10am-2pm
Brunchfest is back this Saturday. There will be lunch from food trucks, and there will be free mimosas for the first 100 BrunhFest Pass holders. This year, you can purchase a BrunchFest Pass, which contains coupons to local restaurants. The pass will be valid from May 22 through August 31. This pass will let you brunch all summer long. Participating restaurants include Allsopp & Chapple, At the Corner, Bar Louie, Big Orange, Buenos Aires, Community Bakery, Cache Restaurant, Ciao Baci, Kemuri, Lost Forty, Petit & Keet, Star of India and more. The basic BrunchFest pass is $45. The Sips Package, which includes a commemorative cup, is $55. The VIP Package, which includes a shirt and gift bag, is $75. Free admission to the event.
Saturday, May 22
What: 17thAnnual Buzz-B-Q
Where: Downtown Riverside RV Park in North Little Rock
When: 11am-6pm
Hosted by 103.7 the Buzz and presented by Doublebees, this is the premiere BBQ event in Central Arkansas with the featured BBQ contest including Pro-Joes and Average Joes. In 2019 Buzz B-Q hosted 76 teams and over 2,000 turned out to sample and vote on the best BBQ in the area! This year a grand champion will be crowned in each division to see who is really King (or Queen) of the BBQ! As you walk around, teams will have signs indicating if they have samples. These samples will help determine the People’s Choice winner. Tickets are available for purchase at select Doublebee’s locations.
Saturday, May 22
What: Magic Springs Opening Day
Where: Magic Springs in Hot Springs
When: Theme Park: 11am-6pm, Water Park: 12-6pm
-Magic Springs is having its opening day this weekend.
You can enjoy the Brain Drain, the Gauntlet, the Arkansas Twister or The Hawk. If you’re looking for something more family-friendly, try the Diamond Mine Coast, the Rum Runner Pirate Ship or the Ozark Mountain Taxi Company. The park will be open throughout June and July and half of August. After August, the park will be open on Saturdays and Sundays in August and October with some days open in September. Season passes are as low as $69.99. Single day tickets on Saturday at $49.99 for adults and $39.99 for kids or individuals 55 or older. Kids 3 and under get in free. There are tons of concerts planned for this summer, including Vanilla Ice, Warrant, Sevendust, John Michael Montgomery and Lonestar, Neal McCoy, Jameson Rodgers and more.
Sunday, May 23
What: Outdoor Crawfish Boil
Where: Argenta in North Little Rock
When: 2pm
Come get your fill of crawdads. This will be a block party, where you can buy crawfish, red beans and rice, jambalaya, drinks and more. Blues musician Jesse Cotton Stone will be playing some tunes while you eat. Admission to the block party is free, but you pay for your food.
Want some more? Here are some alternate events:
Friday, May 21
What: Cheers & Beers to 23 Years
Where: Flying Saucer
When: 11 a.m.-closing
This is Flying Saucer’s 23rdbirthday celebration for its Little Rock location. They will have special beer tappings, flights and party favors. Some of the special beers have been specially aged for years.
Friday, May 21
What: Taste of Toad Suck
Where: Rogers Plaza in Conway
When: 11am-7pm
Food vendors will be stationed in downtown Conway at Rogers Plaza, serving up some Toad Suck Daze favorites – corn dogs, chicken-on-a-stick, funnel cakes, turkey legs, walking tacos, barbecue, and more. Every Friday, two food vendors will be set up, so the menu will change weekly. There is one more Taste of Toad Suck event left in May, on the 28th.
Saturday, May 22
What: Sweet Summertime Market
Where: BoBrook Farms in Roland
When: 11am-3pm
The event will have more than 30 local crafters, business owners, boutiques and more are invited to participate as vendors in this event. Shoppers can purchase one-of-a-kind items including but not limited to, paintings, handmade jewelry, home decor items, etc. Admission is free, but vendor items, food and beverages is additional.
Saturday, May 22
What: Toad Suck Mini Golf Ground Breaking Festival
Where: 500 US Hwy. 64 E. in Conway
When: 11am-4pm
This is the groundbreaking for the golf course, and there will be an inflatable nine-hole mini golf course.There will be food, games, face painting and balloon artistry.The golf course will have 18 holes with waterfall features, challenges holes and plenty of toads.The golf course will be $10.95 for individuals 10 and up and $8.95 for those 3-10 years old. Kids under 3 are free.
Saturday, May 22
What: Arkansas Wolves vs. Reign soccer game
Where: Scott Field in Little Rock
When: 6pm
The Arkansas Wolves will be facing off against Reign FK, a team from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. There will be concessions and food trucks to enjoy during the game. Established in 2019, the Wolves soccer club has three teams: a men’s first team, a women’s first team and a men’s 23U team. Currently, the Wolves are at the top of their league with a 4-2-1 win-draw-loss record. Adult tickets are $10. Children’s tickets are $5, and kids under 8 get in free.
READ MORE: River Market Farmers’ Market is Back in Action
Image courtesy of Magic Springs
