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NewsArkansasUnited States • 2011-04-20

Select the country and object's type May Events Taking Place in Central Arkansas

Pinnacle Mountain State Park has a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon in May. On May 1, the "Birding on the River" Canoe Float takes place beginning at the Little Maumelle boat launch. Participants learn about the birds of the river along this guided 4.5-mile float. The trip provides an opportunity to see otherwise hidden sections of the park. Bring binoculars and a camera, but be prepared to protect them in case of water in the boat. Some prior paddling experience is preferred in order to best navigate to good viewing spots. Fee includes use of boats, paddles, and lifejackets. Advance reservations and payment of $30 per person is required. Phone the park at 501-868-5806 to claim your spot.

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Have you ever thought about having your own herb garden? Then you need to make plans to attend Woolly Hollow State Park’s Herb Workshop on Wednesday, May 4. An herbalist gives guided tours of the herbs and other useful plants growing wild in the state park. You will learn when and where to plant, and how to harvest, and preserve herbs at your home. Fee includes instruction, a handbook on herbs, and lunch. Space is limited and reservations are required. Admission is $25. Contact Woolly Hollow in Greenbrier for more information by calling 501-679-2098.

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The Arkansas Preservation Conference kicks off on May 5 with the Preservation Crustaceans Crawfish Boil in the River Market Pavilion in downtown Little Rock. A popular Arkansas Heritage Month event, the 6-9 p.m. opening reception of the 2011 conference is open to the public. Included on the menu are hot mudbugs, shrimp, sausage, vegetables, and cold beverages. Visit www.PreserveArkansas.org to purchase the $20 per person, all-you-can-eat tickets. Proceeds go to the programs of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas.

The Arkansas Preservation Conference, which runs through May 7 at The Peabody Little Rock, is for preservation professionals, business and political leaders, Main Street Arkansas personnel, architects, developers, real estate agents and interested citizens. "Difficult Histories: Reflections on Thirty Years of Preserving a Richer Heritage in Arkansas" is the theme for the Alliance’s 30th anniversary. The program features keynote speakers, guided tours, and an anniversary celebration. For additional information phone 501-372-4757.

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Jacksonville is hosting the Hershey Track and Field Games on May 5 for those ages 9 to 14. If you love to run, jump and throw then join the fun by competing in basic track and field events. Winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to take part in the annual North American Final Meet held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, each year. Everyone from novices to experienced competitors is welcome. May 12 is the rain date. The meet begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville High School Track. Visit www.cityofjacksonville.net/parks or phone 501-982-4171 for more information.

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The wonders of the night sky are explored at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park during a Star Gazing program on May 6. An interpreter guides participants through the basic spring constellations, telling Native American stories along the way. Space is limited; reservations required. Meet at the visitor center by 8 p.m. The program lasts one hour. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12, with under age 6 free. Phone 501-961-9442 for more details. Toltec Mounds is located at 490 Toltec Mounds Road off U.S. 165 in Scott.

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If you love exploring beautifully restored historic homes, then you need to set aside some time March 6-8. These three days bring multiple opportunities to visit several homes in Little Rock’s Quapaw Quarter Historic District.

On Friday, May 6, the Sandwiching in History Tour is of the Rogers House at 400 W. 18th St. An exceptional example of architect Charles Thompson’s work that blends American Foursquare, Craftsman and Colonial Revival, this 1914 home has been fully restored. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is now available for special events, parties, weddings and receptions. The Sandwiching in History tour series features a historic property in central Arkansas each month. They are free and open to the public, beginning at noon, lasting no more than one hour. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunches with them. Visit www.arkansaspreservation.org or call 501-324-9880 for more information.

The Empress of Little Rock Bed and Breakfast Inn is having a Mother's Day High Tea on Saturday, May 7 at 3 p.m. Treat your Mother to a trip back in time with a traditional high tea. Served with all of the pomp and circumstance of an English high tea, it includes specialty hot tea, specialty desserts, gourmet finger sandwiches, Empress scones, clotted cream, and fresh fruit. Everything is handmade in the inn’s kitchen and served by candlelight. After the tea, enjoy a detailed historical tour of The Empress. Tickets are $40. Visit www.theempress.com or phone 501-374-7966 for additional information.

May 7-8 is when the 47th annual Quapaw Quarter Association Spring Tour of Historic Homes takes place in downtown Little Rock. Highlighted homes this year are: the Ragland House (circa 1890), 1617 Center St.; the circa 1912 Urquhart Bungalow, 1623 Center St.; the Turner-Mann House (circa 1905), 1711 Center St.; the circa 1914 Rogers House, 400 West 18th St.; and the H. A. Bowman House (circa 1887), 1415 S. Broadway. All structures featured are located in the Governor’s Mansion National Register Historic District and are within easy walking distance of each other. Saturday features the evening candlelight tour with dinner and dancing from 5:30 p.m. to 10: 30 p.m. Champagne, wine and savories are offered at several locations. Following the tour, visitors will gather in the Garth of the historic Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for cocktails, a dinner of Arkansas–sourced foods, and dancing to music provided by The Jellies.

Sunday offers an afternoon tour of the homes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person for the day tour, $100 per person for the candlelight tour and festivities. Visit www.quapaw.com or phone 501-371-0075 for more information. Proceeds benefit the preservation programs of the Quapaw Quarter Association.

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The 4th annual Craws for a Cause, the state’s largest crawfish boil, is May 6 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. According to organizers, over 5,000 people and 15,000-lbs of crawfish are served. Live music by will be by Boom Kinetic. The $45 advance ticket ($55 at the door), get you unlimited food and drinks. Those ages 10 and under are admitted free. All money goes to Baptist Health's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Visit www.CrawforaCause.com or call 501-690-6909 for tickets and additional information.

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Observe National Astronomy Day on May 7 at Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock. Members of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society and park interpreters introduce visitors to afternoon solar viewing, special indoor programs, and nighttime viewing with telescopes from 9p.m. to 10 p.m. Clouds permitting, the evening’s telescopic sights include several planets, the moon and other celestial objects. Admission is free to this family-friendly event. Meet at the park visitor center, 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road. For more information call 501-868-5806.

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Saturday, May 7 is International Migratory Bird Day and the Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center in downtown Little Rock is celebrating. Visitors are invited to join center staff in the international education program to learn about the most watchable=of all wildlife -- birds. Nearly 350 species of migratory birds are the focus of programs with activities for children, adults and families taking place throughout the day. Admission is free. The center is located at 602 President Clinton Ave. Visit www.centralarkansasnaturecenter.com or phone 501-907-0636 for more information.

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Lester Fall Memorial Park is where the 19th annual Bluegrass and Gospel Jamming Jammer Jamboree takes place May 9-14. The family event includes a potluck meal, singing and jamming and takes place at the Lester Flatt Memorial Park near Vilonia. Phone 501-835-2451 to get more details.

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Come watch all the plot twists and turns of the Agatha Christie classic “Witness for the Prosecution,” May 12-22. The Royal Players of Benton present this famous “who dunit” full of enough machinations to keep you guessing until the very end. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market in Benton.

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Exploring other cultures is fun, especially if you do it through food and music. The Jewish Food and Cultural Festival is May 15 at the River Market in downtown Little Rock. Some of the delicious traditional Jewish foods offered include corned beef sandwiches, lox, bagels and cream cheese, kosher hot dogs, rugelach, kabobs, falafel and Israeli salad. Ethnic and religious booths showcase varied aspects of Jewish life from Arkansas to ancient Israel. Visitors can learn about Jewish Holidays and Life Cycle customs, Shalom from Israel, while a kid’s area with plenty of activities from face painting to a whole area for jumping events keeps them occupied. Entertainment throughout the day will include contemporary and traditional Jewish music performed by the B flats, the Klezmer Band, the Schenotes and other performers. Visit www.jewisharkansas.org or phone 501-663-3571 for additional information.

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One of the most eagerly awaited food events in Arkansas is the 27th annual International Greek Food Festival. Billed as the largest ethnic festival in the state, it takes place May 20-22 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock. A huge array of homemade items from cooks from various culinary traditions, such as Greek, Armenian, Georgian, Romanian, Russian, Indian, Middle Eastern, English and American, are featured. Both savory and sweet dishes are offered. All types of entertainment, an Old World Market, a children’s area and church tours also take place. During its 26 years of existence, the Greek Food Festival has raised and donated over $1 million dollars to more than 20 charities. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The church is located at 1100 Napa Valley Dr. Visit http://greekfoodfest.com/ for a detailed schedule.

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The Jacksonville Community Center is the site of the 40th annual Razorback Coin Show May 27-29. Dealers from throughout the United States are on-hand to buy and sell American and foreign coins, medals, tokens currency, coin jewelry, gold and silver. The center is located at 5 Municipal Dr. in Jacksonville. Admission is $2. Additional information is available by calling 501-985-1663.

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A packed calendar of nationally known entertainment featuring Widespread Panic, Barenaked Ladies, the Charlie Daniels Band, REO Speedwagon, Papa Roach, Pat Green, Digitally Underground, Poison, David Nail and Nelly awaits visitors to the 34th annual Riverfest. May 27-29 are the dates for this annual summer kick-off of visual and performing arts held on both sides of the Arkansas River. There are six outdoor stages, children's entertainment, plenty of activities for all ages, plus a huge variety of food and drink. Organizers report the 2010 Riverfest Recycles program collected 17 tons of recyclable materials. The program encourages festival-goers to keep recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans out of landfills by collecting them from the festival grounds and exchanging them for fun items at the Riverfest Recycles centers. Half-price advance tickets of $15 are available at Walgreens stores in Central Arkansas. Supplies are limited. Regular price admission is $30 per person for a three-day pass. Ages 6 and under are free with an adult. Ages 7-10 are $5 per day. Visit http://riverfestarkansas.com/ for a list of participating Walgreens and additional information.

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