Volume 1 Issue 2 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri - Region Association August 2003   This year's Saturday night headliner at the Great Arkansas Pig Out is chart topping country music performer Steve Azar. He has had hits such as I Don't Have To Be Me (Till Monday) and Waitin' On Joe. Fun in the Sun It is that time of year again. The sun has finally decided to take dominion of the summer months and pretty soon the asphalt will be baking us from the bottom. So what does that mean? That's right, it's time for the Great Arkansas Pig Out in Morrilton's City Park on Highway 64. August 1st and 2nd are the dates for this year's 15th Annual Great Arkansas Pig Out. The Pig Out Committee is gearing up for another fabulous year. As with every Pig Out, one of the huge attractions is the children's activities. Some of the favorites from last year will be back, like the huge inflatable slides and crawl-throughs. For the older kids there will be a rock wall climbing apparatus and, new this year, a bungee run. In addition, the SpaceBall from Conway Fun Park will be back to make a whirling dervish out of anyone brave enough to climb inside. And for all those that style themselves as up-and-coming PBR members, there will be a mechanical bull just a-buckin' and a-snortin' to throw anyone off. Friday night entertainment is the up and coming country music group, SIXWIRE. SIXWIRE hit the charts hard earlier this year with their breakthrough hit "Look at Me Now". The headliner Saturday night is STEVE AZAR. Opening for him will be local favorite and Hattieville native, Travis Caudell and his band. Travis has made a name for himself in the local area and on the national rodeo circuit. He is always a crowd favorite at the Pig Out. For further information, please call the 2003 Arkansas Pig Out Committee at 501-354-5400 or visit our website at www.pigout.org. Bargains Galore on 64   The 4th Annual Bargains Galore on 64 will take place Thursday through Saturday, August 7-9, 2003. Bargains Galore on 64 features 130 miles of antique sales, yard sales, sidewalk sales and flea markets. Come "shop 'till you drop: along Hwy 64 (which parallels Interstate 40) from Fort Smith to Conway. Designated a "Travel Treasure" by Southern Traveler Magazine, the event draws family vacationers and dealers, buyers and sellers alike, who "treasure" not only the great bargains along the route, but also the friendly atmosphere and beautiful vistas that prevail. Setup can be located anywhere along the route, with the permission of local merchants or property owners. No permits are needed for the event, however food vendors must comply with Arkansas Health Regulations. Put out yellow sale signs to advertise your participation in Bargains Galore on 64 and be prepared to be busy for three full days. Linda Hiles 479-667-4455     Tri-Peaks Monthly Tourism Information   July tourism information for the Tri-Peaks region has been sent to 30 states and 3 countries. July request totals: Web Site - 28 Phone Inquiries - 12 AR Vacation Planning Kit - 118 Spring & Summer Inserts - 36 Visitors to WEB site - 738     Travelin' Arkansas: Events Taking Place August   Hope Watermelon Festival - When the inevitable heat of August descends on Arkansas, there's nothing like a juicy slice of ice-cold watermelon to bring relief. That tradition has been turned into high art at the annual Hope Watermelon Festival, which this year will be held Aug. 7-10 at the town's Fair Park. www.hopemelonfest.com. (870) 777-3640 Country singer Jessica Andrews will be the headline musical act at the 31st annual Pine Tree Festival to be held in Dierks Aug. 1-2The festival site is the Dierks City Park. Dierks is located on U.S. 70 about 68 miles southwest of Hot Springs and 20 miles west of DeQueen, and on U.S. 278 about 44 miles northwest of Hope. (870) 286-2131. The second highest peak in Arkansas will come alive with music, dancing, arts and crafts and activities for children during the 15th annual Mountainfest to be held Aug. 1-3 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park near Mena. Located near Arkansas's western border 13 miles northwest of Mena, Queen Wilhelmina State Park sits atop Rich Mountain along a section of Ark. 88 known as the Talimena Scenic Drive. A Ouachita National Forest scenic byway, the drive includes six vista turnouts between Mena and the park. (479) 394-2863 or visit www.queenwilhelmina.com. For reservations at the park's 38-room lodge, call toll-free 1-800-264-2477. Country singer/songwriter Don Williams, whose distinguished career has included 17 songs topping country music charts, will be appearing in concert at 8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3, in the Perot Theater at 221 Main Street in downtown Texarkana. (903) 792-4992. www.trahcorg. The 18th annual Arkansas Book Fair will be held Aug. 9 and 10 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Rare and collectible books, antique maps, historic papers and autographs from the rich and famous will be exhibited and available for purchase. (501) 758-1720 or aleblanc@laman.lib.ar.us. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Pinnacle Mountain State Park at dusk as the park hosts a guided Moonlight Stroll along the Rocky Valley Trail on Aug. 9. Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Exit #9 off Interstate 430 at Little Rock, travel seven miles west on Ark. 10, then go two miles north on Ark. 300. (501) 868-5806. Celebrating its 105th year, the Tontitown Grape Festival will take place Aug. 12-16. The famous homemade Italian spaghetti dinners will be served Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The festival, held on the grounds of St. Joseph Parish in Tontitown, includes a large carnival, games and rides for all ages, arts and crafts, a used book sale, and a bazaar with homemade and specialty items. Admission is free. (479) 306-1260. The 32nd annual Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Festival at the Northwest Arkansas Fairgrounds in Harrison Aug. 14-16 will feature traditional bluegrass and its more modern version, "newgrass," as well as gospel music and jam sessions. (870) 427-3342 www.harrisonarkansas.org.   Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks&Tourism www.arkansas.com/media Arkansas History, Legends Entwined by Colorful Past   By Craig Ogilvie, travel writer, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism As Arkansas celebrates its role in the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, it seems appropriate to briefly review some of the state's most famous and legendary stories from the past. First, the name "Arkansas" has been the subject of debate since early explorers attempted to translate native languages into French, Spanish and English. According to historians, Arkansas is the French attempt to write Quapaw, the name of a Native American tribe living along the lower Arkansas River when missionary Jacques Marquette made his visit in 1673. His journals recorded the name as "Arkansoa." When Sieur de LaSalle claimed the region for France in 1682, he wrote "Arkensa." And Henri de Tonti, the Italian who established the first European settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley at Arkansas Post in 1686, preferred "Arkancas." Bernard de la Harpe, the Frenchman who explored the Red and Arkansas rivers during the early 1700s, is credited with today's spelling. During pioneer days, though, both "Arkansas" and "Arkansaw" were acceptable in most quarters - with one exception. Territorial Governor George Izard firmly believed the spelling should be "Arkansa." When he took office in 1825, Gov. Izard was confronted with an inventory of documents imprinted "Territory of Arkansas." Being obliged to use them before procuring a new printing, it is said the governor often carefully erased the final "s" from Arkansas before he signed a legal document. The tale that a heated discussion erupted in the state Legislature concerning the pronunciation of Arkansas is unfounded. The legend apparently stemmed from a humorous speech called "Change the Name of Arkansas?," which circulated in several versions during the late 19th century. Though never delivered in the General Assembly, the story may have resulted from a Legislative resolution in 1881 that proclaimed the rightful pronunciation of the last syllable. Thus it was written "Arkansas" and pronounced "Ark-an-SAW." The "Arkansas Traveler" is the state's most famous piece of pure folklore. It spins a tale of a city gentleman who becomes lost in the Arkansas wilderness during the 1840s. His encounter with a cantankerous backwoods squatter produced a story that became a stage comedy, playing from New Orleans to Boston. Sanford C. Faulkner, a farmer and political powerbroker in 19th century Arkansas, is usually credited with creating the original story and fiddle tune. Faulkner often spoke at gatherings on behalf of his favorite political candidates, adding humorous remarks and music to entertain the crowds. Eventually, the tale prompted a youthful Arkansas artist, Edward Payson Washburn, to render his version of the "Traveler" scene in 1858. Several lithographs followed and continue to be popular with print collectors. Washburn's oil painting is permanently displayed at the Arkansas History Commission in Little Rock. Colorful adaptations of the story appeared in periodicals and books for more than a century. Today, the legendary Arkansas Traveler tale lives on in several forms. The state's most distinguished visitors are often awarded "Arkansas Traveler" certificates, making them honorary ambassadors for The Natural State; athletic teams and publications carry the name; and a theater production at Hardy has used the name since 1968. The story of the razorback hog existed in Arkansas for more than a century before the University at Fayetteville adopted it as their official athletic mascot. This fabled animal actually roamed the backwoods and canebrakes of the state long enough to evolve into one of its most fearsome creatures. It is probable that Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto and his expedition brought the first swine to the Mississippi Valley region. The animals most likely were bartered or strayed from the expedition route and into Arkansas. After many generations in the wilderness, the hogs became thin, long-legged and mean. The beasts developed long snouts with protruding tusks for rooting and fighting. The name "razorback" referred to the hog's sharp backbone, which was accented by long bristly hair. The razorback was not a separate species of swine, but rather a domestic breed that had reverted to characteristics needed to survive in the wild. Ironically, the true razorback vanished from Arkansas about the time University of Arkansas Coach Hugo Bezdek compared his undefeated 1909-football team to a "wild band of razorbacks." Prior to the mascot change, the university's teams were the "Cardinals." Perhaps the most legendary figure of 19th-century Arkansas was Fort Smith's Judge Isaac C. Parker, the so-called "hangin' judge." An apparent early victim of bad press, Parker is often depicted in books and movies as a heartless, evil dictator of the law. Historians say he was, in fact, an incorruptible man of justice attempting to make the West safe for law-abiding citizens. During his 21 years on the bench, Parker saw more than 13,000 cases docketed in his court. More than 9,000 defendants were convicted or pleaded guilty. Of these, 334 were tried for capital offenses and 160 were sentenced to hang - the only punishment available in such cases at the time. Some 79 convicted felons were executed, but Parker always maintained that he never hanged anyone. "It's the law," he often said. While the number of hangings attracted national attention and eventually prompted the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse many of Parker's convictions, little note was made that 65 deputy U.S. marshals were killed in the line of duty while serving the court at Fort Smith. Parker's jurisdiction ended in 1896, and he died ten weeks later. He is buried beneath a simple tombstone in the Fort Smith National Cemetery, a short distance from his courthouse. Today, the Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves the remains of two frontier forts, Parker's courtroom, a jail and re-created gallows. The site also features exhibits on the early role of the U.S. Army, marshals and outlaws, plus the fort's place along the "Trail of Tears." The saga of the Bowie Knife remains one of the state's greatest mysteries. Theories abound, but facts about Jim Bowie, his famous blade and its creator are shrouded in legends. Many historians agree that blacksmith James Black created a knife for Bowie at Washington, Ark., around 1830. Much of the intrigue surrounding Bowie's knife occurred after the weapon disappeared during the fall of the Alamo in March 1836. In addition to Bowie, Davy Crockett and Col. William Travis were among the martyred defenders. James Black was blind and in poor health the last 34 years of his life. Daniel W. Jones, whose family cared for the homeless blacksmith until his death in 1872, wrote one of the few authoritative stories about Black, giving him credit for crafting the knife. Jones served as the state's 19th governor (1897-1901). Visitors may learn more about James Black and the Bowie knife by visiting Old Washington State Park, along U.S. 278, nine miles north of Hope. Also, the Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock features one of the finest collections of Bowie knifes in America. Sponsored by the American Bladesmith Society, the permanent exhibit includes several blades attributed to James Black.   Calendar of Events August - September 2003   August 7-9 Bargains Galore on 64 130 mile YARD SALE from Fort Smith to Conway Adona August 7-8 27th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Benefit Bluegrass Show Clarksville Sept 1 105th Johnson County Fair Lake Dardanelle State Park August 2 Floating through History on the Arkansas River August 20 Angler's Choice August 27 Angler's Choice Morrilton to Aug 15 2nd Annual Rialto Country and Gospel Music at the Rialto every 3rd Friday 7pm Friday Night Pickers August 1-2 15th Annual Great Arkansas Pigout August 4-7 2nd Rialto Creative Kids Camp Too August 15 Conway County Radiothon at Allison Ford Mt. Nebo State Park August 4th Annual Critter Craze August 23-24 Civil War Days August 23-24 10th Annual End of Summer Fly In Sept 6 Great Arkansas Cleanup and Cookout Sept 13 3rd Annual Falling Pieces Quilt Show Sept 20 55th Annual Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry Sept 27 Star Party  Petit Jean State Park August 30 Dr. T.W. Hardison Day  Russellville August 15-16 13th Annual Valley Fest August 11-15 ARV Arts Center "Around Our World Art Tour" Sept 9-13 Pope County Fair Sept 27 River Valley United Way Bay Ridge Country Club Subiaco August 10- Sep. 3 Ceramics by TY Brunson & Paintings by David Mulrininach               Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourist Association 101 N Johnson Clarksville AR 72830 1-800-561-6508 1-479-754-6543