There are always great things to do in the Natural State, and AY About You has compiled some of the most exciting events in Arkansas this weekend.
Listen to Heather Baker discuss weekend events every Friday morning on 103.7 The Buzz.
Thursday, September 30
What: Science After Dark
Where: Museum of Discovery (Little Rock)
When: 6 pm to 9 pm
Booyah! The Museum of Discovery’s Science After Dark is back, and they’re throwing it back to the 90s. For ages 21 and older only, IDs will be checked at the door, the science activities planned are “da bomb.” Rewind to the good ol’ days with paper football, making Nickelodeon slime, lego builds, a Spice Girl Reunion (are you a Sporty Spice or a Scary Spice?) and a Bop-It Tournament. To top off this fly night, there will be beer from Stone’s Throw and pizza from Damgood Pies for purchase. We double dare you to get your tickets before spots run out.
Thursday, September 30
What: Toad Suck Mini Golf Soft Opening
Where: Toad Suck Mini Golf (Conway)
When: 6 pm to 8:30 pm
A toad-ally fun night is in store for Conway. Toad Suck Mini-Golf will be having their soft-opening for locals to not only destroy their friends and family in putt-putt but to also raise money for charity. For one night only, guests will pay $50 for 18 holes of fun, and the entire ticket purchase of $50 will be donated to Harbor Home, a homeless shelter in Faulkner County.
Do your stretches, talk your smack and have a great time. Visit the Toad Suck Mini Golf website to learn more here.
Thursday, September 30
What: Brian Ramsay
Where: The Oyster Bar (Little Rock)
When: 6:30 pm
Central Arkansas skies are looking a little cloudy, and everybody knows that the perfect cure to a gloomy day is live music. Brian Ramsay is chasing the gray skies away with a mix of country, pop, R&B originals along with top 40 hits that everyone knows and loves. Order a drink and a tasty meal and let the music carry you to sunnier days.
Thursday, September 30
What: 4th Annual Boots and Ballers
Where: First National Bank Arena (Jonesboro)
When: 7 pm
Wolves up! The 4th Annual Boots and Ballers event for the Arkansas State University Men’s Basketball team is finally here, and there is plenty to do. With the purchase of an admission ticket or table, guests will have the opportunity to watch the team practice at 6 pm and take part in the following silent and live auctions, raffle, live artist painting by Beau Jones, time on the dance floor with DJ King Vic, an introduction to the 2021 roster and coaching staff and most importantly, the Boots Contest. Put on your genuine ostrich or your lucky pair and be ready to win. All proceeds from the event support the A-State Men’s Basketball Program. Find the schedule, pricing and tickets here.
Friday, October 1
What: Ice Cube
Where: JJ’s Live (Fayetteville)
When: Doors open at 6 pm, the show is 9 pm to 12 am
Flash with the bling and surpass the supreme with Ice Cube this Friday night. You read that correctly, O’Shea Jackson Sr., the rapper, actor and filmmaker will be at JJ’s Live. The Hall of Famer and lion tamer is performing a full set of his hits. Both VIP packages are sold out, so put your back into it and get your ticket now.
Friday, October 1
What: Village of Screams Opening Night
Where: Shackleford Crossing Shopping Center (Little Rock)
When: 7 pm to 12 am
Ready or not, here they come. The Village of Screams Haunted Houses (yes plural) is having its grand opening of three chilling houses at Shackleford Crossing Shopping Center. Take your pick, or choose your poison, and get that adrenaline rush you’ve been waiting for all year. Waiting for the first victims are The Manor of the Dead, Curtain of Chaos and the next level haunting, the Torture Chamber. Relinquish your soul, or register your spot, here.
Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2
What: 8th Annual FestiVille
Where: Dupree Park (Jacksonville)
When: Friday: 3 pm to 7 pm; Saturday: 9 am to 7 pm, Carnival closes at 10 pm
If Arkansas has one thing, it’s festivals. Get out a pen and paper and start planning a festival itinerary for the next couple of months because there are so many you definitely want to hit up. Jacksonville Parks and Rec is starting the weekend with their 8th Annual FestiVille at Dupree Park. The schedule of events for FestiVille is extensive which means there is something for everyone. There will be a carnival, vendor showcase, petting zoo, food trucks, live entertainment, canoe rides, kids zone, bingo, volleyball tournament, 5k run/walk and a fireworks display on both nights. The carnival will close separately from the rest of the FestiVille at 10 pm. This is only a snippet of the activities at FestiVille — you’ll have to go to experience the rest.
Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2
What: 2021 International Greek Food Festival
Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (Little Rock)
When: Times vary
Opa! The International Greek Food Festival is back for two days of fabulous food and fundraising. Due to the pandemic, the festival will not be going full throttle with live entertainment, music and cultural markets, but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Set up as a drive-thru event, guests are encouraged to place their orders online and pick up their meals at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. In the more than 36 years that the festival has been blessing the community’s stomachs, almost 1.5 million dollars have been donated to over 30 local charities. Get out there, following safety guidelines, and raise money while enjoying the great flavors of Greece!
Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2
What: Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival
Where: Cedar Glades Park (Hot Springs)
When: Times vary
Hot Springs wears many hats, and catering to music lovers is definitely one of them. The 17th Annual Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival is back for a weekend of independent musicians and bands. Performers include Psychic Graveyard, Deeper Band, Silver Synthetic, Esme Patterson and more. Also, to add to the music festival experience, VOV will include camping for the first time ever along with movies under the stars, hiking, disc golf, rock walk climbing, art installations, kids activities and more for all ages. Get your tickets and check out the schedule here.
Saturday, October 2
What: Music Fest
Where: Main Street (El Dorado)
When: 7 am to 8:30 pm
Murphy Arts District is definitely one of Arkansas’ best-kept treasures. South Arkansas has a great privilege in the concerts, events and festivals that come their way. One festival South Arkansas is lucky to have is Music Fest. For one full day, Music Fest does it all. A rib cook-off, 5/10k, craft and food vendors, attractions, corn hole tournament, a pageant and live performances by El Dorado schools, local musicians and a few bigger names you might be familiar with. Remember Ice Cube? Yeah, he’s still here. The man of the weekend is making a jump from NWA to El Dorado for one last concert in the Natural State before he jets off to the next lucky crowd. Opening for Ice Cube at the First Financial Music Hall will be fellow rapper Paul Wall.
Find the full schedule of events here, and don’t let tickets sell out!
Saturday, October 2
What: Howl-O-Ween Parties in the Plaza
Where: Little Rock Zoo (Little Rock)
When: 9 am to 3:30 pm
What makes Halloween festivities even better? The gorgeous animals at the Little Rock Zoo, of course. On every Saturday in October (except the 23rd) the zoo is hosting Howl-O-Ween Parties in the Plaza. Your curious pups, the human ones that is, can come dressed in costume according to the theme of the Saturday, be awed at a magic show, show off their Monster Mash moves at a dance party and ride the Scaredy Cat Carousel. This Saturday’s theme is Super Heroes, so bring your Wonder Women, Black Panthers and firemen out for the special enrichment activities of the day: the Great Apes and Fossa of the small carnivores. There’s a full day of activities, both Howl-O-Ween and regularly scheduled, so get those walking shoes on and “howl” a great time.
Saturday, October 2
What: Pets in the Park
Where: Matthews Park (Greenbrier)
When: 10 am
Beautiful weather isn’t only for humans — it’s for the doggos, too. Pooches (on leashes) and their parents are invited to Matthews Park for a day of outdoor activities including a Pet Fun Run, Hide and Seek Show, Pet Pageant (costumes included) and an obedience training session. The main event of the day is the showcasing of pet-related businesses in the community. These local vendors will be able to share their products and services with pet parents. The Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce thinks it’s about time that the large pet community of the city come together to support one another and more especially support the beloved furry friends. Bring a can or bag of pet food with you and have a paw-ty.
Saturday, October 2
What: Jeepin’ For a Cure Jeep Show
Where: Frank Fletcher Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (Sherwood)
When: 10 am to 2:30 pm
If Jeeps love anything, it’s other Jeeps. Throw in a whole Jeep Show and that’s the recipe for a good time. Frank Fletcher is hosting a Jeep Show with a mission to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Enjoy food trucks, a raffle, swap meets and awards including the title of No. 1 Overall Bad-Ass Jeep. Take a break from the trails and take your Jeep over to Frank Fletcher for a few hours with the Jeep community to show your vehicle baby off or just hang out. Learn more here.
Saturday, October 2
What: Main Street Food Truck Festival
Where: Capitol Ave. and Main St. (Little Rock)
When: 10 am to 8 pm
Restaurants are good and all, but there’s nothing quite like sizzling food straight from a truck. The Main Street Food Truck Festival celebrates just that with dozens of the community’s favorite food truck vendors and caterers. For the 10th year, a whole decade, the Main Street Food Truck Festival has been giving the community tasty food, music, local vendors and delicious drinks. Just show up, pick your truck (or trucks), and bask in the day. Find the full list of attending food trucks here.
Saturday, October 2
What: Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Food Festival
Where: Argenta Plaza (North Little Rock)
When: 11 am to 2 pm
Hispanic Heritage Month is here and ready to share with the community the colorful culture. Seis Puentes Education and Resource Center is hosting the Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Food Festival with food trucks, art vendors and more. Featured at the festival is Arkansas Latinx talent including Ballet Questzalli, Oscar Gomez, Mariachi Arreros and DJ Miguel Gomez. Free for the public, you only need to bring some dancing shoes, an empty stomach and a mind ready to learn.
Find out more here.
Saturday, October 2
What: Opening Day of Halloween Weekends
Where: Magic Springs Theme and Water Park (Hot Springs)
When: 12 pm to 6 pm
October at Magic Springs is finally here, and that can only mean Halloween Weekends festivities are upon us. On Saturdays and Sundays for the entire month of October, guests are welcome to the Trick or Treat Trail, a pumpkin patch, Fright Flix Terror Trail, fall festival photo opportunities, the Undead Graveyard, Blacklight Bumpin’ Carz 2.0 and a frighteningly long list of more activities. Day and season passes are your tickets for Halloween Weekend fun.
Saturday, October 2
What: Festival del Mariachi
Where: Downtown Springdale
When: 12 pm to 5:30 pm
Keeping the Hispanic Heritage Month festivities rollings, Downtown Springdale is celebrating NWA’s Mexican heritage with activities for the whole family and community. There will be mariachi music, traditional ballet Folklorico dancing, food vendors and cultural information booths. Mariachi performers include Joya Azteca, Nuevo Tlaquepaque, Los Potrillos, Amistad, Esencia and ballet from Herencia de Mexico and Duo Devinas. Learn more about the vibrant Hispanic culture and have fun.
Saturday, October 2
What: Gaither Vocal Band
Where: Immanuel Baptist Church (Little Rock)
When: 6 pm to 8 pm
The Gaither Vocal Band’s Celebration Tour 2021 is coming to Little Rock for a night of worship. The legendary voices of Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band will be accompanied by Kevin Williams, Gene McDonald, Ladye Love Smith and more. Get your tickets here!
Saturday, October 2
What: Sparks in the Park
Where: Guy City Park (Greenbrier)
When: 9 am to 9 pm
It might not be the Fourth of July, but Faulkner County isn’t letting that stop them from another round of fireworks and one of the largest shows in the area. The excitement isn’t only in the sky, oh no, there will also be bounce houses, a car show, live music and a whole crowd of local vendors. Got a secret family recipe for ice cream? Enter your cold sweet treat into the homemade ice cream contest for an honorary plaque that would make grandma proud. Are you the corn hole champion in your neighborhood? Go up against new competition in the Corn Hole Tournament.
There is plenty more to do that you don’t want to miss!
Saturday, October 2 – Sunday, October 3
What: Fassler Hall Oktoberfest
Where: Fassler Hall (Little Rock)
When: Saturday afternoon – Sunday evening
You might as well reserve every weekend the next month for Oktoberfest celebrations around the state because there are many more to come. Fassler Hall, in its fourth year of celebrating Oktoberfest, is a seasoned expert in keeping the party going. Saturday afternoon will kick off with a round of beer pong sponsored by none other than Lost Forty Brewing — also experts in parties, especially when beer is involved. Sunday will carry on with live music, more beer and more “friendly” competition with stein-hoisting sponsored by classic Sam Adams. Find out how to register to compete here. Tschüss!
Sunday, October 3
What: Mean Girls Day
Where: Bark Bar (Little Rock)
When: 12 pm
What day it is? It’s October third. Do you know what that means? It means Bark Bar is going to “Make Fetch Happen.” The most important holiday of the year, Mean Girls Day, is finally here and Bark Bar welcomes all plastics, varsity jocks, band geeks and the greatest people you will ever meet to their Mean Girls costume party. The limit does not exist on how you and your pooch dress — Bark Bar only suggest that it be in true Mean Girls fashion to receive free entry.
Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3
What: Garland County Craft Fair
Where: Garland County Fairgrounds (Hot Springs)
When: 9 am every morning
Close your Pinterest app for a bit and listen up: the Garland County Craft Fair is this weekend. Every item sold at the fair is handmade by local artisans and craftsmen in Arkansas. Birthdays coming up? Hand-made decorations. Anniversary? Hand-made jewelry. Christmas presents? Handmade anything. Maybe you’ll find some new ideas to add to your ever-growing Pinterest boards.
Thursday, September 30 to Saturday, October 3
What: 8th Annual Harvest Fest 2021
Where: Carter Off-Road Park (Alexander)
When: Times vary
Nothing says the beginning of fall quite like riding the trails at Carter’s for four straight days. Bring your rigs and kids for mud bogging, obstacles courses, motocross courses, a bounty hole and the cutthroat Barbe Jeep races. Chase Matthews and Gabrielle Mooney will perform Saturday night, merchandise and food vendors will be set up around the park and given that there’s so much to do every day of the weekend, you might just want to bring your camping or overlanding gear so you never have to leave. Hurry and get those tickets!
September 30 – Sunday, October 3
What: Pulaski County Fair
Where: North Shore Riverwalk Park (North Little Rock)
When: 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Rides, music and food, oh my! The Pulaski County Fair is here for three more days, so there’s plenty of time to get in there and make some memories. All the essentials to make a county fair are in store with rides, games, petting zoos, food and drinks, interactive vendors and live music provided by an overflowing list of performers including Willy D’s Dueling Pianos, Fonky Donkey, The Gravel Yard, Tyler Kinch, Ballet Queutzalli and more. Do you really want to miss out on all this? Assuming you said, “No, I enjoy having a good time,” find the full schedule of events here.
Thursday, September 30 – Sunday, October 3
What: Filmland in the Park
Where: MacArthur Park (Little Rock)
When: Times vary
Any movie buffs in the house looking for outdoor movie screenings and live Q&As with the people behind the films? That might sound too specific, but that’s exactly what the Arkansas Cinema Society has planned for Filmland in the Park. Running all weekend long starting at 9 am on October 1, Filmland will be screening award-winning films and hosting workshops for aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters and actors. Speakers will include Graham Gordy, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Nichols, David Gordon Green and more. Find the full run-down of events here and go ahead and buy your tickets while you’re at it.
Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3
What: Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival
Where: Central Theatre (Hot Springs)
When: Times vary
Not for the faint of heart, the Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival takes thrillers, Sci-Fi movies and cult classic horrors to the next dimension. The brave ones ready for chills will enjoy screenings of classics and documentaries, guest appearances, a mask-making class with Tony Buck Studios and Alfred Hitchcock’s Camera Crane on display. Legendary Arkansas names will also come into frame with The Man From Boggy Creek, a documentary short looking into the influence of director Charles B. Pierce and how his film The Legend of Boggy Creek, a film based in Arkansas, helped shape the faux-documentary style horror film genre. So much more is in store for attendees, so to not spoil all the excitement you’ll just have to buy your tickets here to see for yourself. Find the full schedule of events here.
Look here for pumpkin patches in your area!
Weekend Lineup at The Rev Room:
Saturday, October 2:
- Bricks in the Wall: The Sight & Sound of Pink Floyd; doors open at 7:30 pm, show starts at 9 pm; tickets are $20 to $25.
Weekend Lineup at George’s Majestic Lounge:
Friday, October 1:
- Happy Hour with Leah & The Mojo Doctors; doors open at 5 pm, show starts at 6 pm; tickets are $8.
- ObiiGo Palooza; doors open at 8:30 pm, show starts at 9 pm; free to attend.
Saturday, October 2:
- Russ Liquid; doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8:30 pm; tickets are $20.
Weekend Lineup at Railyard Live Rogers:
Friday, October 1:
- Randall Shreve and The Devilles; doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm; tickets are $0 to $20.
Saturday, October 2:
- Them Dirty Roses; doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm; tickets are $0 to $20.
Weekend Lineup at Walmart AMP:
Saturday, October 2:
- Machine Gun Kelly with jxdn and Carolesdaughter; gates open at 6 pm, show starts at 7 pm; tickets are sold out, but ask around!
Sunday, October 3
- Thomas Rhett with Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett; gates open at 6 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm; tickets are $60 to $246.
On this day…
- On September 30, 1888, serial killer “Jack the Ripper” murdered two more women, Liz Stride and Kate Eddowes. These women were his third and fourth victims.
- On September 30, 1898, the city of New York was established.
- On September 30, 1946, 22 Nazi leaders are found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to death or prison. Hermann Goering, one of the 22 convicted Nazis, later committed suicide the night before his sentence was to be carried out.
- On September 30, 1955, actor and cultural icon James Dean was killed in a car crash at the age of 24.
- On September 30, 1960, The Flintstones premiered on ABC.
- On September 30, 1962, Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist, Cesar Chavez, founded the United Farm Workers.
- On September 30, 1968, the first Boeing 747 set out.
- On September 30, 1991, Jerry Springer’s talk show The Jerry Springer Show debuted on TV.
- On September 30, 2020, California became the first US state to pass a law allowing reparations for black residents and descendants of slaves.
- On October 1, 1868, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was published.
- On October 1, 1880, John Philip Sousa became the new director of the U.S. Marine Corps Band.
- On October 1, 1888, National Geographic magazine was published for the first time.
- On October 1, 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T car.
- On October 1, 1961, The Beach Boys introduced a new music style with their recording of “Surfin.’”
- On October 1, 1962, The Lucy Show premiered on CBS.
- On October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Bay Lake, Florida.
- On October 1, 1977, Elton John was honored by Madison Square Garden’s MSG Hall of Fame.
- On October 1, 1982, the EPCOT Center opened in Orlando, Florida.
- On October 1, 1982, Marvin Gaye released his first studio album Midnight Love.
- On October 2, 1789, George Washington submits the United States Bill of Rights to the States for ratification.
- On October 2, 1895, the first comic strip was printed in a newspaper.
- On October 2, 1902, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was published in London.
- On October 2, 1950, the first strip of Charlie Brown in Li’l Folks, now know as Peanuts, by Charles M. Schultz was published in seven nationwide papers.
- On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first black Supreme Court Justice.
- On October 3, 1849, author Edgar Allen Poe was found unconscious in a gutter in Baltimore. He died not long after the incident due to mysterious circumstances.
- On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln designed the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving.
- On October 3, 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club premiered.
- On October 3, 1957, poet Allen Ginsburg’s Howl and Other Poems was officially ruled as not being “obscene.”
- On October 3, 1961, The Dick Van Dyke Show premiered on CBS.
- On October 3, 1995, former NFL running back and broadcaster O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of the murder of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.
- On October 3, 2008, former NFL star and broadcaster O.J. Simpson was found guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery.
- On October 3, 2014, blues guitarist and singer B.B. King performed his last show at the House of Blues.
Famous Birthdays:
- Marilyn McCoo, American soul singer, was born on September 30, 1943.
- Fran Drescher, American actress, was born on September 30, 1957.
- Lacy Chabert, American actress (Mean Girls), was born on September 30, 1982.
- T-Pain, American rapper and singer, was born on September 30, 1984.
- Maddie Ziegler, American dancer, actress and model, was born on September 30, 2002.
- William Boeing, American aviation pioneer and founder of The Boeing Company, was born on October 1, 1881.
- Bonnie Parker, American outlaw of the Bonnie and Clyde duo, was born on October 1, 1910.
- Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President, was born on October 1, 1924.
- Julie Andrews, British actress and singer, was born on October 1, 1935.
- Zach Galifianakis, American actor and comedian, was born on October 1, 1969.
- Brie Larson, American actress, was born on October 1, 1989.
- Nat Turner, American leader of the slave rebellion of 1831, was born on October 2, 1800.
- Mahatma Gandhi, Indian independence activist and spiritual leader, was born on October 2, 1869.
- Sting, British singer and songwriter, was born on October 2, 1951.
- Freddie Jackson, American R&B singer and songwriter, was born on October 2, 1956.
- Chubby Checker (Ernest Evans), American singer and songwriter, was born on October 3, 1941.
- Tommy Lee, American drummer for Motley Crue, was born on October 3, 1962.
- Gwen Stefani, American singer and songwriter, was born on October 3, 1969.
- Jake Shears, American rock singer (Scissor Sisters), was born on October 3, 1978.
- Ashlee Simpson, American pop singer, was born on October 3, 1984.
- ASAP Rocky, American rapper, was born on October 3, 1988.
Holidays
September 30:
- National Chewing Gum Day
- National Mud Pack Day
- Blasphemy Day
- International Podcast Day
- International Translation Day
- Recovery Day
- National Hot Mulled Cider Day
- National Love People Day
October 1:
- International Coffee Day
- National Hair Day
- Fire Pup Day
- National Manufacturing Day
- National Homemade Cookies Day
- National Body Language Day
- CD Player Day
- International Day of Older Persons
- International Music Day
- Model T Day
- National Black Dog Day
- National Lace Day
- National Walk Your Dog Day
- Vegan Baking Day
- Willy Wonka Day
- World Vegetarian Day
- World Smile Day
October 2:
- National Produce Misting Day
- National Custodial Workers Recognition Day
- Nationa Name Your Car Day
- National Fried Scallops Day
- Guardian Angels Day
- International Day of Non-Violence
- Peanuts Day
- Phileas Fogg’s Wager Day
- Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Day
- World Farm Animals Day
October 3:
- National Techies Day
- National Boyfriend Day
- Pickle Day
READ MORE: Top 10 Dishes in September
