It's almost our nation's birthday, with its riot of red, white and blue, and communities across Arkansas are getting in on the action.
Just about every community and park is hosting a celebration of some kind, from laid-back picnics to fireworks bonanzas.
For instance, Fairfield Bay will have a parade at 9 a.m. Wednesday and a big fireworks show at night. Call (501) 884-6030 or visit visitfairfieldbay.com. Meanwhile, the town of Camden has its Star Spangled Spectacular with inflatables, music and what it calls the largest fireworks show in south Arkansas at the Camden Airport, 105 U.S. 278. Gates open at 6 p.m. Call (870) 837-5500 or visit explorecamden.com.
Here's a small sampling of what else The Natural State has to offer:
PRECEDING
For more than 30 years, Oaklawn in Hot Springs has gotten a jump on the Fourth of July festivities with its Spa Blast today.
"It's a way to kick off July 4," says Oaklawn's media relations manager, Jennifer Hoyt. "Even on a Tuesday night, I still think it's going to be a great time."
The gates will open at 5 p.m. to allow visitors into Oaklawn's "park-like" infield where they will find a petting zoo, inflatable rides, a rock wall and other family-friendly activities.
There will also be music. This year they're welcoming Led Zepagain: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin as the main stage headliners. Also look for The ShotGunBillys, Jacob Flores and Downday.
Summer can be steamy, but Hoyt promises "lots of shade out there, benches under trees. It's not like you're out in the sun all evening. That's why we wait for evening, to catch it when it's cooling down."
They'll also have a misting tent, just in case.
It all ends with what Hoyt calls "one of the region's largest firework displays" at 9:30 p.m.
This is the 32nd year for Spa Blast and Hoyt says bad weather has only delayed the festival twice but if conditions turn unexpectedly nasty the blast will be moved to Friday.
Admission is free, but Oaklawn vendors will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue and beverages. Coolers are not allowed, although lawn chairs are welcome.
Parking is free, too, and visitors are encouraged to park on the north end of the lot.
"It's an inexpensive way to kick off the July 4 holiday with your family," Hoyt says.
Call (501) 623-4411 or visit oaklawn.com.
The next day has plenty more things to do in Hot Springs, starting with the Red, White & You Picnic in the Park, a "free, family-focused old fashioned patriotic" picnic, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Arlington Lawn downtown. There will be entertainment, games, exhibits and food for sale. Proceeds from the picnic, sponsored by Friends of Hot Springs National Park, will benefit the Maurice Bathhouse restoration.
Then, at dark, the annual fireworks display will light up the night over Lake Hamilton with a sparkly barrage synced to music on 97.5 FM.
Call (501) 321-2027 or visit hotsprings.org.
Heber Springs also has an early blast with its Fireworks Extravaganza. It starts with the gates opening at Sandy Beach on the shores of Greers Ferry Lake at 10 a.m. today. Music with the 106th Army Band Charlie Rock starts at 7:30 p.m., followed at 9:30 p.m. by a choreographed fireworks display. Admission is free but parking is $10.
Visit heber-springs.com.
POPS
For the 35th year, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette presents a full-blast Fourth of July celebration: Pops on the River, which Democrat-Gazette marketing and events director Amanda Copley calls "a one-day fun, free, family-friendly fireworks festival."
She says, "It is something the Democrat-Gazette has been putting on for the community for 35 years as a way to have family get together and also salute our military, appreciate what the Fourth of July really is and what it means to our country and also enjoy a night of beautiful fireworks over the river with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra."
The activities begin at 3 p.m. in Little Rock's River Market with Arkansas Children's Hospital's Kids Pavilion. Copley says the pavilion continues to grow and improve with more bounce houses, a magician and more hands-on activities for all ages. This year the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's character, Danger, will make the rounds.
The gates at the First Security Amphitheater will open at 5:30 before the music, featuring Kemistri Band with Nicky Parrish starting at 6 p.m., then The Big Dam Horns at 7. The ASO then takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. Shawn Reed of 106.7 The Ride is this year's emcee.
It all ends with the massive fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m.
General admission is free but this year attendees have the opportunity to buy a VIP package that gives ticketholders a reserved parking space, reserved seating at the amphitheater, a private bathroom pass and a meal ticket for $25. Reserved seating is $10.
Active and retired military members who check in with an ID at the Military Appreciation Tent will receive discount cards for food, drink and other vendor purchases. The first 100 members will receive coupons for free reserved seats "and other goodies." Event proceeds will benefit March of Dimes.
Parking is always at a premium but people are welcome to park at the Clinton Presidential Center, the post office at Capitol Avenue and Sherman Street or at the Arkansas Arts Center at East Ninth and Commerce streets and catch a ride on the trolley.
Call (501) 378-3807 or visit pops.arkansasonline.com.
Those who want to enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of air conditioning can do so at A Toast to Our Independence, 6 p.m. at the Capital Hotel, 111 W. Markham St., Little Rock. This is the first year for the event, which features drinks and food by Chef Andre on the hotel mezzanine. Tickets are $47.
Call (501) 374-7474 or visit eventbrite.com.
Before heading over to Pops, step into a time warp at Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St., Little Rock, for the annual Frontier 4th of July event. From 10 a.m.-noon, visitors can join a "militia," watch a Revolutionary War battle re-enactment, listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, make patriotic crafts and join in other old-fashioned patriotic activities.
Admission is free. Call (501) 324-9351 or visit historicarkansas.org.
Another patriotic celebration close to the capital city can be found at Sherwood Forest, 1111 W. Maryland Ave., Sherwood. The 4th of July Family Celebration is set for 6-9 p.m. with a Kids' Zone, free food, music, magic, military tribute and a fireworks show. Admission is free.
Call (501) 413-8030 or visit cityofsherwood.net.
In Saline County, Benton's Independence Day Bash at the Saline County Fairgrounds features music, rides, climbing wall, a video game station, a Build-A-Bear tent and fireworks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:40 p.m. Admission is free.
Visit bentonproud.com.
PARKS
Arkansas state parks are going all-out for the holiday with guided hikes, games, historical observances and plenty of outdoor fun Wednesday.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park's 4th of July Island Fest includes water relays, a 5K run, food and lakeside fireworks. Near Pocahontas, Davidsonville Historic State Park hosts a picnic with homemade ice cream.
Old-fashioned family games and contests liven up events at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton, Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View and Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock.
Meanwhile, at Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village, park interpreters will lead programs and tours focusing on American history and wildlife.
Get more history at Historic Washington State Park, where the Declaration of Independence will be read aloud at set times through the day.
For a complete list of events at the parks, call (888) 287-2757 or visit arkansasstateparks.com.
Style on 07/03/2018