BATESVILLE — For 67 years, the White River Water Carnival has been a summer activity favored by thousands of people. This year, the carnival is set for Friday, Aug. 6, and Saturday, Aug. 7.
During the Depression years, some forward thinkers believed that Batesville needed a boost.
So the White River Water Carnival was planned to draw people to the community. It became an annual event, and it now draws more than 10,000 people each year, said Lisa Caplinger, carnival chairwoman.
The carnival is set on the banks of the White River, where pageants have been held and entertainers have performed for decades. Nine local pageant winners have gone on to the Miss Arkansas pageant while representing the Miss White River Pageant.
This year, the first White River Duck Calling Contest, the J.K. Southerland Jr. Golf Classic and the Kids and Kastles contest are new to the event.
The Kentucky Headhunters will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. More information is available at www.mybatesville.org.
Below is the schedule for the carnival activities: Friday, Aug. 6◊BBQ Sandwich Lunch Fundraiser, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
◊ White River Water Carnival Pageant, 6 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville’s Independence Hall.
◊First Community Bank/Bad Boy Present White River’s Got Talent at Riverside Park: Finals, Youth Division White River’s Got Talent, 5-6 p.m.; Finals, Adult Division White River’s Got Talent, 6-7 p.m.
◊First Community Bank/Bad Boy Present Free Community Concert Party Planet, featuring Al Paris, former lead singer for Kool and the Gang, 7:30 p.m., and Haven Hill, 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7
◊White River 4M Classic, 7:30 a.m. For more information, visit wrroadrunners.org or call (870) 793-3867.
◊Car Show, 8 a.m.-noon. Registration at Mark Martin Ford. Call (870) 613-2831 for more information.
◊J.K. Southerland Jr. Golf Tournament.
◊Annual White River Duck Calling Contest, 11 a.m., banks of the White River, Riverside Park, Batesville.
◊ J.K. Southerland Golf Classic Three-Person Scramble, 9 a.m. tee time at the Course at Eagle Mountain. Contact Matt McDonald for information at (870) 698-1906.
◊White River Water Carnival Parade, 10 a.m., down Main Street.
◊Kids and Kastles, 2-3 p.m. at Riverside Park.
The entry fee is $25 per team. Categories are Water Creatures, Sandcastles and Sculptures.
Sponsored by the Batesville Area Arts Council in conjunction with the White River Water Carnival. Call (870) 793-3382 for registration information.
◊Activities and Bands All Day at River Side Park, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Servant, Heart to Heart and Shawn Blackwell.
◊White River Water Carnival Pageant Finals, 6 p.m., Independence Hall at UACCB.
◊Danny Baty Band, 7 p.m.
◊Kentucky Headhunters, 8 p.m. (A Short Story and Biography in the Words of The Kentucky Headhunters). $10 for advance tickets;
order online. $15 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased online or at (870) 793-2378.
◊White River Water Carnival Dance, The Jokers, 8 p.m.-midnight, Batesville Country Club.
Three Rivers, Pages 52 on 07/29/2010