However, mental images of insolent patrons milling about a musty exhibit hall should be put away when considering a visit to Northwest Arkansas’ newest crown jewel, scheduled to open Nov. 11 in Bentonville.

From conception to completion, Crystal Bridges intends to attract, entertain and educate folks of all ages and levels of interest in the arts.

AN OBSERVATION DECK HAS ALLOWED VISITORS TO MONITOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE MUSEUM FROM THE TRAIL.

The Walton Family Foundation an-nounced the concept for the museum in May 2005. It would be built by distinguished architect Moshe Safdie from wood, concrete and abundant glass, along with copper for roofing. Safdie’s inspiration was to create a refuge in the middle of the forest.

The predominantly glass construction is intended to produce a sensation of being en- veloped in nature. Asher B. Durand’s Kindred Spirits, one of the first in the permanent collection, reflects the vision and heart of Crys- tal Bridges with its scenic, outdoor setting.

Founder Alice Walton shared that her mother, Helen, believed the land where Crystal Bridges stands was always meant for “something special.”

“The name Crystal Bridges was inspired by the wonderful design of the building, as well as the historic Crystal Spring that is one of the beautiful places within the park,” Walton said.

The spring was diverted and piped under- ground during construction. Eight pavilions, including the restaurant and the temporary-art wing for traveling exhibitions, will over- look 8-foot-deep pools of water.

NATURE EVERYWHERE
Even getting to Crystal Bridges is meant to be a connection to nature. Visitors can drive directly to the museum through the area’s scenic landscape, or walk to the museum along one of several trails.

A parking garage next to the museum is accessible from J Street or John DeSheilds Boulevard. Parking at Compton Gardens or downtown Bentonville leaves about a half-mile walk to the museum’s south entrance.

Parking for the handicap-accessible path is located just off NE 5th Street and leads to the skyspace sculpture The Way of Color by James Turrell on the Art Trail.

Additional access points will open in November, including the Dogwood Trail, Orchard Trail, Rock Ledge Trail, Tulip Trail and Crystal Springs Loop.
“The journey to the museum itself is a pilgrimage through nature,” said Amber Hen- drickson, senior administrative assistant.

There are two state champion trees near the start of the trail at Compton Gardens, sev- en multiuse trails and more than 400 species of native plants and trees. Parallel to the Crystal Bridges Trail is the All-American off-road biking path that leads to the city’s Slaughter Pen bike park.

Residents and visitors have been walking, biking and running the Crystal Bridges Trail since it opened in July 2009.

“We’ve had remarkable success with about 2,500 weekend visitors,” said Sandy Edwards, deputy director of museum relations.

Several sculptures are in place along the Art Trail, including Shore Lunch by Dan Ostermill- er, a bronze work depicting a bear fishing by a stream. Children are welcome to wade in the stream and climb on the rocks in this area.

EMPHASIS ON INTERACTION
The emphasis on interaction continues inside the museum in The Experience Studio Area, a hands-on studio to engage all ages.
“How experience ties into education is a principle of our founder, Alice Walton,” said Hendrickson.

The area is intended to help children and adults to express their own creative nature as well as learn the stories behind certain pieces of artwork.

The educational outreach of Crystal Bridges has two branches — general public and school programs. Public programs will be held on and off-site and will include tours, in-depth workshops, films, lectures, annual events and festivals. School programs will be curriculum-based offerings ranging from stu- dent tours to professional development for educators.

Also in keeping with the education theme, the building and grounds include many “re- flection areas” with comfortable seating and exhibition books to provide details about different artists, genres and works of art.

“People will easily be able to go between the inside and outside. Between the galleries are spaces that allow people to stop, view and enjoy the surroundings,” Edwards said.

DAY TRIP DESTINATION
The museum is sure to be popular with local and regional residents alike looking to make a day trip. But with 201,000 square feet of inside space and 120 acres outside, cover- ing it all in a day figures to be quite a challedge.

AP/SOTHEBY’S • THE 1849 OIL PAINTING KINDRED SPIRITS BY ASHER DURAND WAS AMONG THE FIRST wORKS OF ART SECURED FOR PERMANENT DISPLAY AT CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART.

“One may experience a good survey of the collection and other museum-related offerings within a full day,” Edwards said. “Of course, much depends on the guest’s personal interests. If time in the library or a walk along the trails seems appealing, it could easily blend into another day.”
So although it might be a bit rushed, a worthwhile one-day visit is possible.

The permanent collection will hold about 600 pieces of artwork from the Colonial Era to current day, occupying about 40,000 square feet of gallery space.

A number of pieces should not be missed, museum officials say, including the rare historic publication Victoria Regia that illustrates the monument of American color printing during the 1850s. There is also the collection of 400 postcards from Frank Warren’s cultural phenomenon PostSecret, the infamous Norman Rockwell paining Rosie the Riveter, the portrait of George Washington by Charles Wilson Peale, The Indian and the Lily by George de Forest Brush, the dynamic Valley of the Catawissa in Autumn by Thomas Moran, The Island by Walton Ford and Dolly Parton by Andy Warhol.

REASONS TO RETURN
During construction of the museum, many pieces from the permanent collection were on loan at other art institutions. By this gesture, Crystal Bridges was able to build relationships with museums nationwide before its baptism into the art community. This in turn should help stock the 9,000 square feet reserved for traveling exhibits.

“To date, Crystal Bridges has loaned 77 works of art to 40 institutions throughout the world. Moving into the future, these partner- ships will afford Crystal Bridges the opportu- nity to present important artwork from inter- national museums, private collections and an enhanced calendar of traveling exhibitions,” Hendrickson said.

“Our intention is to change out the exhibitions frequently so that people will revisit the museum often,” Edwards said.

Another reason to return to Crystal Bridges will be the on-site restaurant. The full-service dining room is centrally located with the pools of water on each side.

Local restaurateur Case Dighero will serve as director of culinary services, overseeing a menu of American fare described as “pro- gressive, yet accessible.”

The museum aims to build relationships with local farmers, businesses and artisans to embrace the region’s local work force.

In addition to art galleries, Crystal Bridges will host a library, meeting and office spaces, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Also, the glasen-closed auditorium named The Great Hall is a flat-floor gathering area that can accommodate up to 300 persons for community and private receptions.

The walkway to The Great Hall will spotlight other area attractions.

“We believe it is all of our jobs to encour- age people to visit other areas,” said Edwards. “Crystal Bridges will definitely enhance local business. There will be impact whether visi- tors are here for a day trip or from out of the area.”

Crystal Bridges will conduct outreach programs through area schools to cultivate an interest in the arts. The museum houses classrooms for workshops, films and lectures and curriculum based-programs. Family pro- grams, public events, concerts and annual festivals also are planned.
Memberships, family and individual passes are available.

More information is available online at crystalbridges.org.

Boston Mountain Scenic Loop
arkansas.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives/ boston-loop.aspx
From Fayetteville, take U.S. 71 over Mount Gayler to Alma. From Alma, take Interstate 540 through the rolling hills of a pastoral countryside, through a mountain tunnel and back to Fayetteville in an 80-mile loop.

Pig Trail Scenic Byway
arkansas.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives/ pig-trail.asp
Known as “The Pig Trail” to generations of University of Arkansas students and Razorback fans, it includes 19 miles of Arkansas 23 from the south boundary of the Ozark National Forest north of Ozark to its intersection with Arkansas 16 at Brashears. tanyard creek nature traiL beautifulbellavista.com/tanyardcreek.htm This Bella Vista loop includes a swinging bridge and an overlook of a waterfall from Windsor Lake. The .8-mile trail is 1.5 miles west of U.S. 71 on Arkansas 340.

Cross Overlook
(479) 443-4531
This relaxing spot atop Mount Sequoyah provides a nighttime view of sparkling lights from downtown Fayetteville and its surroundings. The large lighted cross oversees the Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center with free “Music on the Mountain” concerts at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Devil’s Den State Park
(479) 761-3325; arkansasstateparks.com
Devil’s Den State Park is on Arkansas 74, north of the Washington-Crawford county line in the Ozark National Forest. Walk or bike more than 10 miles of trails, or explore Devil’s Den or Devil’s Icebox caves. Cave visitors should bring lights and water.

Fayetteville Historic Walking Tour
(479) 521-5776, experiencefayetteville.com
This self-guided tour begins with a trip to the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau, 21 S. Block St., Suite 100, where a brochure describing the tour is available. Twenty-five sites of interest are explained in detail, including the Old Washington County Courthouse, Headquarters House and Guisinger’s Music House.

War Eagle Mill
11045 War Eagle Road, Rogers (479) 789-5343, wareaglemill.com
Visitors can watch this water-powered grist mill in operation on War Eagle Road about 13 miles east of Rogers. An 18-foot water wheel splashes and mill stones grind corn meal daily from corn grown organically in a pastoral setting that includes War Eagle Creek and a historic bridge.

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel
504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista
(479) 855-6598 beautifulbellavista.com/chapel.htm
Situated on a wooded hilltop overlooking Lake Norwood, the chapel of steel and glass is a popular site. Arkansas native architect E. Fay Jones and partner Maurice Jennings designed it based on the pointed Gothic arch, which is repeated throughout the length of the structure.

Terra Studios
(800) 255-8995, terrastudios.com
Located in the Durham community, just southeast of Fayetteville, the studio with free admission houses artisans who produce glass and pottery housewares, gifts and fine-art pieces. Visitors can stroll among the mural and sculpture gardens and visit the Bluebird Gazebo, home to about 1,800 glass Bluebirds of Happiness.
Guests also can watch glass workers making the bluebirds and other creations.

Thorncrown Chapel
(479) 253-7401, thorncrown.com
Designed by noted Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, the Eureka Springs chapel has been named among the top four buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects. The chapel uses 425 large panels of glass
to showcase the natural beauty of the Ozarks. Open March-December, it features a nondenominational staff of musicians and ministers who will arrange a special one-hour devotional service upon request. Groups can reserve the worship center for private services, revivals and retreats.

Activity Centers

Jones Center for Families
922 E. Emma Ave., Springdale (479) 756-8090, thejonescenter.org
Founded by Springdale philanthropist Bernice Jones, the center’s purpose is to provide a “safe harbor” for the community with many free and low-cost activities. The center includes the Joel Carver Ice Arena, available year-round. Skating clubs offer group and individual ice-skating lessons. There’s also an indoor basketball court, indoor track and pool area. The pool area includes a family leisure pool, water slide and fountain.The center is closed Mondays. The education wing offers subjects including basic computer classes, boating and dancing and martial arts. A computer center is also available. Other programs include child care, community health and wellness, and after-school activities. The Community LIFE program includes Senior LIFE, Teen LIFE and a ropes course.

Springdale Youth Center
600 Ash St., Springdale (479) 750-8185 springdalear.gov/parks_and_recreation/ youth_center.asp
Membership rates for children and adults average $1-$2 per month to use the game room, gyms, track and weight machines Mondays through Saturdays. The center is near Murphy Park and the Springdale Public Library.

Rogers Activity Center
315 W. Olive St., Rogers, (479) 631-0336 rogersarkansas.com/parks/activitycenter
This center offers two full-court gymnasiums, an interactive health club for youth, indoor track, cardio/strength training facility and aerobics suite. Annual memberships are youth $20, adult $40 and family $80 with $5 for a three-time pass.

Rogers Adult Wellness Center
2001 W. Persimmon St., Rogers (479) 631-3333 rogersarkansas.com/wellnesscenter
Membership is $25 a year for anyone age 50 and older. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, the center offers an 880- square-foot arts and crafts studio, a library and computer lab, “how to” classes and activities.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton County
Carl and Eileen McKinney Unit
2801 N. Walker, Bentonville (479) 273-7187

HLM Teen Center
1207 N.W. Leopard Lane, Bentonville (479) 271-1121

Rogers Unit
409 S. Eighth St., Rogers (479) 633-0044

Bella Vista Unit
2260 Forrest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista (479) 876-6786

Boys and Girls Club of Fayetteville
560 N. Rupple Road, Fayetteville (479) 442-9242 fayettevillekids.org
Facility offers a pool, fitness center, indoor track, rock-climbing wall, and team sport instruction at low costs. Membership fees vary or pass is $5 per day.

Yvonne Richardson Center
113 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville (479) 444-3461 accessfayetteville.org/government/yvonne_ richardson_center
Programs include homework help and after- school activities, judo and basketball for adults. Free city facility for ages 6 and up.

Making History

Ozark Folk Ways Heritage Center
22733 U.S. 71, south of Winslow (479) 634-3791 ozarkfolkways.com
This unique stone building houses a gift gallery showcasing traditional crafts, occasional classes and craft groups.

Confederate Cemetery
500 E. Rock, Fayetteville
Inside the stone gates, 600 graves are maintained by volunteers to honor the dead who fought in this area as Confederate troops during the Civil War.

Fayetteville National Cemetery
700 Government Ave., Fayetteville (479) 444-5051
Open daily from sunrise to sunset (closed federal holidays except Memorial Day), the 15 acres contain the graves of 8,000 U.S. veterans and their eligible dependents from the Civil War to the present.

Clinton House Museum
930 California Blvd., Fayetteville (479) 444-0066 clintonhousemuseum.org
Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $1 for kids under 12, to see where Bill and Hillary Clinton lived as they got married and taught law at the University of Arkansas.

Jerry Jones-Jim Lindsey Hall of Champions
(479) 575-2755 arkansasfansite.com/stadium.asp
The two-story atrium in the Broyles Athletic Center at the north end of the University of Arkansas’ Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, offers displays and video screens outlining more than 100 years of Razorback football.

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
506 E. Douglas St., Prairie Grove (479) 846-2990 ArkansasStateParks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield
Visitors can follow the path of soldiers who fought Dec. 7, 1862, resulting in 2,700 casualties. Fees are $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12. Guided tours are slightly more. A five-mile driving tour is free.

Rogers Historical Museum
(479) 621-1154 rogersarkansas.com/museum
The museum, with free admission, features a main exhibition hall, research library and the 1895 Hawkins House, which is representative of a middle-class family home at the turn of the 20th century. The Attic, popular with children, is a permanent hands-on exhibit where visitors are encouraged to try on clothes and play with old tools, kitchen wares and other interactive links to the past. Also featured is the Centennial Caboose at First and Walnut streets. The caboose is managed by the museum and open for tours during regular museum hours from May through October.

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
(479) 750-8165 springdaleark.org/shiloh/
Visitors can try their hand at using a grinding stone, try on clothes from the past or listen to folk music. Exhibits and six historic buildings are available to explore. The museum also is the site of numerous club meetings and educational programs for kids and adults alike.

Rogers Daisy Airgun Museum
202 W. Walnut St., Rogers (479) 986-6873 daisymuseum.com
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, this museum in downtown Rogers is $2 for ages 16 and up and free for children to see the popular toys made by the local company. Other airguns on display date back to the 1600s.

Pea Ridge National Military Park
15930 E. U.S. 62, Garfield (479) 451-8122 nps.gov/peri/index.htm
Fees are $5 per person over age 15, or $10 per vehicle at the 4,300-acre park that honors the 26,000 soldiers who fought there in March 1862. The most intact Civil War battlefield in the country, the federal site offers a video and interpretive displays telling of the battle.

Peel Mansion Museum and Heritage Gardens
400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville (479) 273-9664 peelmansion.org
The 1875 villa with antique furnishings fronts an outdoor museum of historic roses, perennials and native plants around brick and gravel paths. Admission is $1 for children 6-12 and $3 for 13 and up, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Museum of Native American Artifacts
202 S.W. O St., Bentonville (479) 273-2456 museumofnativeamericanartifacts.org
With free admission Monday through Saturday, visitors follow their own audio- visual tours to view weapons, fossils, pottery and other items from the mastodon era 10,000 years ago to the more familiar headdresses and beadwork of the 1800s.

WaL-Mart Visitor Center
110 W. Central Ave., Bentonville (479) 273-1329 walmartstores.com/aboutus/287.aspx
A temporary home for the museum opened June 29 as renovations began at Sam Walton’s original Bentonville variety store, the center traces the formation and growth of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Northwest Arkansas is home to festivals that celebrate the region’s heritage, provide entertainment and simply offer plain ol’ fun. From Civil War buffs to naturalists, music lovers to craft makers, virtually anyone can find some annual event that tickles a fancy. At Tontitown’s Grape Festival, founded in 1899, about 7,000 spaghetti dinners are served. Other events may draw hundreds, while some — such as the annual collection of craft fairs that have come to collectively be referred to as War Eagle Weekend, or the transplanted Wakarusa Music Festival — draw tens of thousands. Diversity remains a good description of all that is available in the form of festivals throughout Northwest Arkansas.

March

Battle of Pea Ridge Commemoration
Early March, Pea Ridge National Military Park
• Civil War buffs will love the artillery demonstrations at this well-preserved battlefield.

Fat Saturday Parade of Fools
Early March, Dickson Street, Fayetteville
• A family-friendly Mardi Gras parade, including floats, bands and walking groups in costume.

Eureka Gras
March 1-6, Historic downtown Eureka Springs
• Week-long event put on by the Krewe of Krazo that includes the Hookers and Jokers Ball, costume contests, a pub crawl and a Mardi Gras parade.

Mardi Gras on Dickson St.
March 6, Dickson Street, Fayetteville
• Street party and foot parade with costumed revelers and a Zydeco band.

April

Fort Smith Heritage Festival
Early April, Fort Smith: Historic Downtown
• A celebration of Fort Smith history and culture that benefits the Meals for Kids program.

Pickin’ in the Park
April through October, Rogers: Frisco Park
• Enjoy acoustic country, gospel and bluegrass every Saturday night.

Artosphere
April and May, Various locations in Fayetteville
• The Walton Arts Center hosts this celebration of art, nature and artists inspired by nature.

Springfest
Late April, Fayetteville: Dickson Street
• A family-friendly event that celebrates Fayetteville’s musical heritage and culture.

Dogwood Festival
Last weekend of April, Siloam Springs City Park
• An arts and crafts fair that boasts entertainment, a 5K run and a petting zoo.

May

War Eagle Mill Craft and Culinary Fair
Early May, Rogers: Historic War Eagle Mill
• Northwest Arkansas’ oldest and most revered craft fair features country crafts and whimsical charm.

Ozark Regional Arts and Crafts Show
Early May, Springdale: Northwest Arkansas Convention Center
• The largest indoor arts and crafts fair in Arkansas, this festival was named one of the top 100 craft fairs in the country.

Frisco Station Mall Arts and Crafts Festival
Early May, Rogers: Frisco Station Mall
• More than 250 craft exhibitors greet visitors to the craft fair.

Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Fair
Early May, Bentonville: Spanker Creek Farm
• This twice-annual arts and crafts fair takes place along idyllic Spanker Creek.

Heart of America Plein Air Paint-Out
Mid-May, Bentonville: Peel Mansion, Compton Gardens and Downtown Square
• Artists from around the country flock to Bentonville to paint outdoors.

Crawdad Days
Third weekend in May, Harrison: Town Square
• Country music, Cajun food, hot rods and carnival rides are all part of this yearly festival.

Pickin’ on the Square
May through September, Bentonville: Town Square
• A weekly bluegrass jam in downtown Bentonville.

Gulley Park annual concert series
Late May through Mid-August, Fayetteville: Gulley Park
• Local bands play selected Thursday nights at 7 p.m. throughout the summer.

Old Fort Days Rodeo
Week of Memorial Day, Fort Smith: Kay Rodgers Park
• An old-fashioned, Old West rodeo that features calf roping, barrel racing, wild horse racing, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

June

Wakarusa
Early June, Ozark: Mulberry Mountain
• Bands and fans from around the country flock to this weekend celebration of music, carnival rides and camping.

Eureka Springs Blues Weekend
Early June, Eureka Springs: The Auditorium and downtown
• A celebration of local and regional blues musicians.

KUAF Summer Jazz Concert Series
June and July, Fayetteville: Various locations downtown
• A series of finger-popping jazz concerts.

Bentonville ArtsFest
Mid-June Bentonville: Downtown Square
• The indoor/outdoor ArtsFest features art from around the region, live theater and music, children’s activities, culinary explorations and workshops.

Opera in the Ozarks
Mid-June to Mid-July, Eureka Springs: Inspiration
Point Theatre, 16311 U.S. 62 West
• Traditional operas performed by a nationally renowned local group.

Riverfront Blues Festival
Late June, Fort Smith: Harry E. Kelley Park
• A two-day festival featuring national blues acts such as Robert Cray and Johnny Lang.

Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival
Late June, Mt. Magazine State Park
• Visitors can see 91 of Arkansas’ 127 butterfly species on Mount Magazine.

Rodeo of the Ozarks
Late June/early July, Springdale: Parsons Stadium
• A yearly rodeo festival that features traditional rodeo events, mutton bustin’ and
stagecoach rides for the kids, an old-fashioned street dance and a barbecue contest.

August

Annual Decatur BBQ
First Friday of August,Decatur: Decatur City Park
• Enjoy your barbecue while listening to live country music or watching a parade.

Tontitown Grape Festival
Early August, Tontitown: St. Joseph Catholic Church grounds
• Savor homemade spaghetti and fried chicken or tour craft booths and a carnival.

Frisco Festival
Last weekend in August, Rogers: Historic Downtown District
• This event includes the Great Cardboard Train Races, the Chilisalsapeno Competition, Kids Connection and more.

Eureka Springs Family Bluegrass Weekend
Late August, Eureka Springs: The Auditorium and Basin Spring Park
• A free festival that has featured such bluegrass luminaries as Ralph Stanley, Mike Snyder and Doc Watson alongside local talents like the Eureka Springs Bluegrass Band.

Madison County Fair
Late August, Huntsville: Sky High Rodeo Arena
• Carnival rides, lawnmower races, a parade, arts and crafts and livestock are part of this county fair.

September

Washington County Fair
The week before Labor Day, Fayetteville: Washington County Fairgrounds
• The fair includes a carnival, food, livestock shows and entertainment.

Clothesline Fair
Labor Day weekend, Prairie Grove: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
• Includes an Ozark craft show, antique farm equipment, walks through historic buildings and Civil War artifacts.

Arkansas Hot Air Balloon Championships
Early to Mid-September, Harrison: Soccer Complex
• Residents can come out to watch hot air balloonists compete or just take in the balloon glow.

Pinnacle Hills Art and Food Festival
Second weekend in September, Rogers: Pinnacle Hills Promenade
• Live music, art, food and the annual “Living It Green” expo are part of this art sale.

Cane Hill Harvest Festival
Third weekend of SeptemberCane Hill: Historic Cane Hill College Building
• Sorghum and apple butter making, dulcimer players, entertainment, a tractor parade and demonstrations offered.

Benton County Fair
Mid-September, Vaughn: New Benton County Fairgrounds
• Old fashioned county fair with beauty pageants, a talent show, horse shows, a junior livestock sale and amusement rides.

Bikes, Blues and BBQ
Late September, Fayetteville: Dickson Street Tyson Track Complex
• One of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country, featuring a barbecue contest and live blues performances.

Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair
Late September, Fort Smith: Kay Rodgers Park
• One of Arkansas’ largest fairs, featuring beauty pageants, livestock shows, food and a carnival midway.

October

Eagle Watch Weekend
October, Eureka Springs: Belle of the Ozarks at Starkey Marina, Beaver Lake
• Passengers learn about bald eagles.

Arkansas Apple Festival
First weekend in October, Lincoln: Lincoln Town Square
• An arts and crafts fair, beauty pageant and music festival that celebrates the legend of Johnny Appleseed.

Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Festival
Mid-October, Ozark: Mulberry Mountain
• This music festival has featured national Americana acts such as Leftover Salmon, the Avett Brothers and the Wailers.

Ozark Regional Arts and Crafts Festival
Third weekend in October, Rogers and Springdale: John
Q. Hammons Center and the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center
• The largest indoor arts and crafts fair in Arkansas, this festival was named one of the top 100 craft fairs in the country.

Bella Vista Arts and Crafts Festival
Third weekend in October, Bella Vista: South of Arkansas 340 and 279
• More than 350 exhibitors, live entertainment, food, singers and dancers will be on hand.

War Eagle Fall Arts and Crafts Fair
Third weekend in October, Rogers: War Eagle Mill
• Activities include craft exhibits, cooking and corn meal-grinding demonstrations.

Jones Center Fall Arts and Crafts Festival
Third weekend in October, Springdale: Jones Center for Families
• A juried arts and crafts show featuring more than 100 exhibitors and access to the center’s recreational facilities.

November

Original Ozark Folk Festival
First Thursday through Sunday in November, Eureka Springs: The Auditorium and Basin Spring Park
• The oldest, continually-running folk festival in the country.

Lights of the Ozarks
Friday before Thanksgiving through Jan. 2, Fayetteville: Fayetteville Square
• The annual lighting of the Square, parade, Christmas songs and pony rides are featured.

Springdale Rodeo of the Ozarks Christmas Parade
Saturday after Thanksgiving, Springdale: Begins at rodeo grounds and travels down Emma Avenue
• The annual Springdale Christmas parade.

Festival of Trees
Late November through early December, Bella Vista: Various locations throughout the village
• Golf courses, shopping centers and the Veterans Wall of Honor participate in this yearly Christmas tree showcase.

December

Rogers Christmas Parade
Dec. 1, Rogers: Downtown Rogers
• Parade includes floats, marching bands and Santa Claus.

Eureka Springs Christmas Parade
First Friday in December, Downtown Eureka Springs
• Evening parade features floats, Santa and thousands of lights.

Light Up Siloam Springs Christmas Parade
First Saturday in December, Siloam Springs: Downtown
• A traditional, family Christmas parade sponsored by the Heritage League of Siloam Springs.

Prairie Grove Battle Re-enactment
First weekend in December each even-numbered year, Prairie Grove: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
• More than 1,000 Civil War re-enactors participate in the anniversary.

Winter Wonderland Parade
Early December, Bentonville: Town Square
• Christmas parade winds through downtown Bentonville.

Fayetteville Christmas Parade
Second weekend in December, Fayetteville: Dickson Street and the Square
• Parade includes decorated cars, Christmas lights and carols.

Last Night Fayetteville
New Year’s Eve, Fayetteville: Various locations in town
• The New Year’s celebration features local artists and fun for all ages.