The Fall of the House
Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
May 3-6
Cost: $19.50
waltonartscenter.org
A celebrated architect, on trial for a fatal beach house fire, discovers a manuscript of Poe's final poem. This haunting mystery examines the desperate bargains we make for love.
Toad Suck Daze
Downtown Conway
May 3-6
Cost: Free Admission
toadsuck.org
World class toad races, a Stuck on a Truck contest, wacky magic shows, critters from the Little Rock Zoo, and all the food you can handle. Good times!
Cheese Dip Classic
Washington County Fairgrounds, Fayetteville
May 5
Cost: $10 for Adults, Kids Free
cheesedip.net
Fun fact. Cheese dip is Arkansas' culinary gift to the world. Taste the competing teams’ recipes, and see which team goes on to the 2012 World Cheese Dip Championship.
Jewish Food Festival
River Market Pavilion in Little Rock
May 6
Cost: See website
jewisharkansas.org
Kickoff includes a classic lox, bagels and cream cheese plus blintzes and kugel, and continues with corned beef, Israeli kabobs and rugelach.
Mayfest
Tulsa
May 17 – 20
Cost: Admission is Free
tulsamayfest.org
Head to downtown Tulsa to try foods from around the world at the 40th annual Mayfest. There will also be four stages set up for live music, a kids’ zone, and five indoor galleries filled with art.
Hilbilly Porkchop Roundup
Fort Smith
May 19
Cost: See website for details
hillbilly5k.com
This over-the-top mud run, obstacle course, and action-packed, family-friendly adventure benefits the local Ronald McDonald Family Room. There’s a mud crawl, water cannon, floating bridge, and you get to dress in funny costumes. Even better? Greased pigs!
Oma and Noma Heritage Festival
Lake Ozark, MO
May 19
Cost: Free Admission
OmaNomaHeritageFestival.com
This family-fun celebration commemorates Oma and Noma Degraffenreid, two ladies who were the first to travel across Bagnell Dam in 1931. Arts and crafts, vintage automobiles, Ozark storytellers, blues, bluegrass and Ozark folk music, and an outhouse race.
Riverfest
Little Rock
May 25-27
Cost: See website
riverfestarkansas.com
The 3-day music festival lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mute Math and Neon Trees, rap artist Snoop Dogg, Boyz II Men and Third Eye Blind, and our favorite, Trout Fishing in America. Take the kids, there’s a special section all their own.