May 7
Conway Men’s Chorus Spring Pops Concert
CONWAY — The Conway Men’s Chorus Spring Pops Concert will take place at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. The program will feature sacred, patriotic, classical and popular songs, including “Fire and Rain,” “Homeland,” “Irish Blessing,” “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Marry a Woman Uglier Than You.” Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit conwaymenschorus.org/events.
May 9
Mike Kemp Art Show and Reception
CONWAY — Mike Kemp, an Arkansas-based photographer, will have an exhibit at UCA Downtown, 1105 W. Oak St. One of Kemp’s strengths is making the subjects of his portraits relaxed and natural. There will be an opening reception for the show from 5-7 p.m. Thursday. For more information, visit uca.edu/outreach or call (501) 450-3118.
May 10
Harding ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
SEARCY — Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin will be the guest speaker at the Harding University ROTC commissioning ceremony at noon in Harding’s Reynolds Recital Hall. Four cadets from the Bison Detachment will receive their commissions as second lieutenants as they move on to careers of service in the United States Army.
May 10 and 11
Free State of Yell Fest
DARDANELLE — The 30th annual Free State of Yell Fest will take place both days along the Arkansas River at Veterans Riverfront Park. The festival features live entertainment, a Baggo tournament, horseshoes, a kids’ fun run, a yelling contest, the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournaments, a 4-mile run, the Little Miss Yell Fest and Little Mister Yell Fest, wrestling and more. Johnson Rides & Concessions will provide the carnival — presale armbands can be purchased at schools and banks. The Festival will end with a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the festival will allow the Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce to contribute to various organizations and community events. For more information, call the chamber office at (479) 229-3328.
May 11
Three Festivals in One
FAIRFIELD BAY — Bloomin’ in the Bay, a celebration of spring, will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Ed Leamon Park, with a plant sale, local artisans and vendors, food booths, a kids play zone, a free Mother’s Day craft and more. Blues & BBQ will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring backyard barbecue maestros competing for a $500 cook-off prize. Plus, Cruisin’ in the Bay, a classic-car fest hosted by the Fairfield Bay Chamber of Commerce, will have upward of 50 classic cars. And the day will wrap up with a new event, a street dance featuring the Zac Dunlap Band. All events are free and open to the public.
Baby Fair
CONWAY — Baptist Health-Conway invites moms-to-be and new mothers to attend its Baby Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the hospital’s campus. The event will feature question-and-answer sessions with OB-GYNs Curtis Boyd and Brittanie Hagen, as well as pediatricians Janell Vinson and Tina Jones. The fair will also offer health-and-wellness information, local vendors, car-seat checks, face-painting, door prizes, food, and registration for childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn-safety classes at Baptist Health-Conway. Admission is free. For more information, visit baptisthealthbabyfair.com.
Faulkner County Master Gardeners Plant Sale
CONWAY — The annual Faulkner County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Conway Expo Center, 2507 E. Oak St. The event is free and open to the public. Master Gardeners will answer customers’ questions, and Faulkner County extension agent Richard Klerk will discuss treatment for crape-myrtle bark scale. Gardening tools will be for sale, free tool-sharpening will be offered, and prizes will be given. The Conway League of Artists will have an art exhibit on-site. For more information, call the Faulkner County Extension Office at (501) 329-8344, or follow the Master Gardeners on Facebook.
ONGOING
Faulkner County Tea Party Luncheons
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Tea Party will have weekly luncheons from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Larry’s Pizza, 1068 Markham St. Check the group’s Facebook page for scheduled speakers. All are welcome to attend.
M.J. Hickey Pool Passes and Parties
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Department is selling individual pool passes for the M.J. Hickey Pool for $75 each. Reservations for private M.J. Hickey pool parties are also being taken. The cost is $50 per hour for pool rental and $10 per hour per lifeguard, based on attendance. Buy passes or make reservations at the Hughes Community Center, 1000 E. Parkway, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.
Painting Class
FAIRFIELD BAY — Jim Tindall’s painting class will meet with a new subject from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5E. Each class costs $45, and all materials are provided. The center also offers Tindall’s once-a-month evening class from 5:30-8, with dates to be announced. For more information, call the center at (501) 884-4440 or visit the center’s Facebook page.
Heber Springs TOPS Meetings
HEBER SPRINGS — TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets each Monday at the Church of the Nazarene, Eighth and Quitman streets. Weigh-in begins at 7:30 a.m., and a support meeting emphasizing weight loss and healthy living takes place from 9:30-11 a.m. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Enter the church through the back entrance. For more information, call Geneva Earles at (501) 827-1243 or Janiece Brierly at (501) 250-5087.
Conway TOPS Meetings
CONWAY — TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets each Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church, at the corner of Donaghey Avenue and Dave Ward Drive. Weigh-in begins at 9:15 a.m., and a support meeting emphasizing weight loss and healthy living takes place from 10-11 a.m. Prospective members are welcome to attend. Enter the church from Donaghey Avenue. For more information, call Peggy at (501) 514-0823 or Sandy at (501) 329-0558.
Neighbor’s Table
RUSSELLVILLE — Neighbor’s Table is a free meal from noon to 1 p.m. every Saturday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix Ave. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. with free coffee. All are welcome to attend. Neighbor’s Table also sends home sack lunches with guests. All Saints’ has a Loaves and Fishes Ministry, which accepts Sunday-morning offerings of nonperishable food and toiletries, to be distributed at Neighbor’s Table. For more information, call (479) 968-3622.
Humane Society Benefit Bingo
GREENBRIER — Bingo, sponsored by the Humane Society of Faulkner County, is played every third Friday at the Melton Cotton City Event Center, 5 Lois Lane. Pregames start at 5:30 p.m., with full games at 6:30. Proceeds benefit the Sloan-Swindel Spay and Neuter Memorial Fund. For more information, email rescuethestrays@yahoo.com.
Bluegrass Music Night
HEBER SPRINGS — Heber Springs Christian Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., offers a bluegrass music night from 6:30-8:30 every Tuesday. Musicians are invited to participate. Free coffee is available. For more information, call the church at (501) 362-2389.
Yoga Class at the Library
CONWAY — Danny Mize, a registered yoga instructor, teaches a yoga class at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Faulkner County Library. Yoga practitioners of all skill levels are welcome to attend. All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
Faulkner County Coin Club Meetings
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Coin Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 705 E. Siebenmorgen Road. The 5 p.m. dinner is optional, and a $6 donation is suggested for those 60 and younger. A fellowship time takes place from 5:30-7 p.m. with educational speakers, show-and-tell, news and door prizes. For more information, call (501) 514-0785.
VFW Tuesday Night Bingo
QUITMAN — Tuesday Night Bingo takes place each week at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1295 Bee Branch Road. Doors open at 5:30 for bonanzas, and regular play starts at 6:30 p.m. Food is available. For more information, call (501) 362-9979.
American Legion Friday Night Bingo
HEBER SPRINGS — Friday Night Bingo takes place each week at the American Legion Hall, 49 Park Road. Doors open at 5:30 for bonanzas, and regular play starts at 6:30. For more information, call (501) 362-9979.
Upcoming
Scramble for Scouting
CONWAY — Boy Scout Troop 534 of Conway will host Scramble for Scouting, a three-person scramble and golf-ball drop, at 8:30 a.m. May 13 at the Centennial Golf Course, 1600 Centennial Club Drive. The tournament entry fee is $400 per team. Proceeds will support Scouts attending high-adventure camps and fund the purchase of equipment for the growing troop. Registration is open at scrambleforscouting.com. Chances for the ball drop are $25 for one ball or $100 for five.
The Wizard of Oz
MORRILTON — The Rialto Community Arts Center will present a spring musical for the whole family, the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz, at 7 p.m. May 16, 18 and 23-25; and at 2 p.m. May 19 and 26. Tickets are available at rialtomorrilton.com.
End of Year Celebration
CONWAY — The Women’s Leadership Network End of Year Celebration will take place from 6-8 p.m. May 17 in McAlister Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. All are welcome to attend the free event to celebrate the past year and look forward to upcoming events. For more information, visit uca.edu/outreach or call (501) 450-3118.
Teaching Garden Session
CONWAY — Join Faulkner County Master Gardeners in the Teaching Garden from 9:30-11:30 a.m. May 18 to learn about irrigation, warm-season veggies, insects and disease. The Teaching Garden is at Freyaldenhoven Greenhouses, 1305 E. Siebenmorgen Road.
Arkansas Coding Academy Open House
CONWAY — The Arkansas Coding Academy, 1835 S. Donaghey Ave., will have an open house from 5-7 p.m. May 20. All are welcome to attend the free event to meet the academy’s faculty and students and learn about the opportunities offered by a career in coding. For more information, visit uca.edu/outreach or call (501) 450-3118.
Thirsty Thursday Event: Casino Night
DARDANELLE — The Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce will present a Thirsty Thursday Event: Casino Night from 5:30-8 p.m. May 23 at the Yell County Wildlife Federation Building, 100035 Wildlife Lane. Casino games will be provided by Knights of Columbus Council 6398, with food by Plantation Catering. Admission is $20, and tickets can be purchased at the chamber office in the Dardanelle Community Building on Arkansas 22. Attendees must be 21 years old.
Sacred Heart School Bazaar
MORRILTON — The Sacred Heart School Bazaar will take place May 31 and June 1, with activities for all ages, including a midway with kiddieland games, Plinko, bingo, a ham and bacon stand, a silent auction and more. The raffle grand prize is a 2019 Dodge Journey. The drawing for prizes will be the evening of June 1. The traditional spaghetti/sausage and turkey/dressing dinner will be served from 5-7:30 p.m. June 1 in the school gym, with carryout dinners available. For more information, call Sacred Heart School at (501) 354-8113 or visit www.sacredheartmorrilton.org.
To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, River Valley & Ozark Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203; fax to (501) 378-3500; or email to rvonews@arkansasonline.com. The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday.