What a great place we call home! Whether you want to stay in town or venture out a little farther, there’s always something extraordinary to do. Finding the right one shouldn’t be so darn hard. That’s where Urban 8 comes in. Each month, we’ll showcase eight events, concerts and activities that will make your day, your night, or even your weekend!
Ozark Mountain Bike Festival
Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork
April 6 – 8
Cost: Free
Ph: 479.761.3325
It’s time to get out the mountain bikes and head to Devil’s Den. On April 6 – 8, riders of all skill levels, and all ages, can conquer an obstacle course, ride the trails, and meet other mountain bike enthusiasts.
Feed the Alligators!
Witt Stephens Jr. Central AR Nature Ctr. Little Rock
April 6 (and every Friday thereafter)
Cost: Free
centralarkansasnaturecenter.com
Headed to Little Rock? Then you must stop by the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, overlooking the Arkansas River. Want to kick it up a notch? Let the kids know it’s time to feed the gators! They get their weekly meal from 2-2:30 every Friday, and you can watch as they chomp down!
Straight No Chaser
Fort Smith Convention Center
April 10
Cost: $30 - $38
ticketmaster.com
You’ve never seen an a cappella group like this! Straight No Chaser is a group that began a dozen years ago when a group of college students in Indiana starting singing together. Ten performers now travel the world performing their high-energy music. How popular are they? They’ve had over 20 million views on YouTube.
Arkansas Literary Festival
Little Rock
April 12 – 15
Cost: See website for free/paid events
arkansasliteraryfestival.org
The Arkansas Literary Festival has expanded to include over 90 authors in many locations on both sides of the river from April 12-15. The Central Arkansas Library System’s Main Library campus, other venues in the River Markets and Argenta Arts districts will host special events, performances, workshops, presentations, opportunities to meet the authors, book sales, and book signings. Most events are free and open to the public.
Ozark Wine Trail Open House
Missouri
April 14-15, 21-22
Free tours
ozarkmountainwinetrail.org/events.html
The Ozark Mountain Wine Trail, a Missouri non-profit organization, is holding open house on two weekends: April 14-15 and 21-22. Get samples of wine and cheese while seeing some of the most beautiful land in the Ozarks. The tour includes certain wineries in Branson, Carthage, Galena, Mount Vernon, Oronogo, Seymour, Springfield and Walnut Shade. See website for locations.
Glen Campbell
Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
April 27, 28
Cost: $43 to $79
waltonartscenter.org
Arkansas’ own Glen Campbell, from the tiny town of Delight, will perform at the Walton Arts Center as part of his bittersweet Goodbye Tour. The legendary singer, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, is touring one last time before he retires. From hits like “Rhinestone Cowboy” to his role in the original “True Grit”, he’s always been close to our hearts.
Step Up, Speak Out: A Rally to End Child Abuse
UA – Fort Smith, Campus Green
April 28, 11-2
Cost: Free
facebook.com/stepupspeakoutrally2012
Want to spend a great day with your kids and make a stand against child abuse? Here’s your chance. Step Up, Speak Out will be filled with activities, including rock climbing, bounce-arounds, face painting, arts and crafts, and festival-style food. Several community agencies will also be on hand to help shine the light on the prevalence of child abuse and show us what we can do to spot it and stop it.
Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, Muskogee
When: April 28 – May 28
Cost: Varies
Okcastle.com
Jousting, birds of prey, a living chess match, and a pirate ship. It’s all at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at the Castle of Muskogee, where 600 costumed stage and street performers gather to take you back to 16th century England. Food, games, music, art. See website for prices.