Volume 1 Issue 11 Published monthly by the Arkansas River Valley Tri -Peaks Region Association May 2004 www.ArkansasStateParks.com Groundbreaking Atop Arkansas's Highest Peak     Governor Mike Huckabee along with state, federal and local dignitaries attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new lodge at Mount Magazine State Park April 9, 2004. During the early 1900s, Arkansas's highest peak, Mount Magazine (2,753 feet), was also one of the state's top tourist attractions. People from across the nation would travel via train to a stop at foot of the mountain, and then make the trip to the summit to relax at one the two resort hotels. To carry on Magazine's lodging tradition, the new rustic-style lodge will be built with heavy timbers, wood and stone. And the site will literally build on the mountain's traditions, too. The new facility will be constructed at the same location where a U.S. Forest Service lodge built by the Works Progress Administration between 1939 and 1940 stood until it burned in 1971. The lodge will also feature a grand lobby, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a gift shop. The 13 cabins to be constructed range from one-bedroom to three bedroom designs. Mount Magazine, located within the Ozark National Forest, is one of the 51 Arkansas state parks. The park is being developed on 2,234 acres of U.S. National Forest lands through a special-use permit from the USDA Forest Service. Currently, Mount Magazine is home to 18 campsites, hiking trails and a new visitors center with exhibits on the area's flora, fauna, geology and history. The park is located on Ark. Scenic Highway 309, 17 miles south of Paris. For more information about the park, phone (479) 963-8502 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism The Biggest Little Motorcycle Rally in Arkansas Perryville Fair Grounds May 14-16, 2004 $5 per day admission Friday - Bands 4-11pm, Street Dance Saturday - Bike Parade 10am- Bike Games 1-3pm -$300 Poker Run - Swap Meet- Bike Show 3-5pm - Mini Tractor Pull Sunday - Free Admission Highway Creepers Breakfast 6am, CMA Gap Riders Church Service 9:30am   AMA Sanctioned Event Sponsored by ABATE 17 David Hawks @501-327-9950 or ericaegoines@lytehouse.net or cmarider@cyberback.com - http://www34.Brinkster.com/district17 Arkansas Tourism Week to be Celebrated May 6-12 In recognition of travel and tourism's tremendous economic, social, and cultural impact, people across the United States will be celebrating National Tourism Week. May 6-12 will be designated as Arkansas Tourism Week by proclamation of Governor Mike Huckabee, according to Joe David Rice, Arkansas Tourism Director. Wednesday, May 9, is Arkansas Tourist Appreciation Day, for all of the visitors who make the impact happen. Everyone is encouraged to wear red in honor of the occasion. In 2000, over 20.3 million visitors vacationed in Arkansas, spending an estimated $3.8 billion. Some $173 million in state taxes and an additional $73 million in local taxes were derived from this economic activity. Dollars spent by tourists produce a ripple effect that is felt in every community. Across the state, communities are planning to salute Arkansas Tourism Week in a variety of ways. Here's a look at some of the activities planned: Clarksville: Mayor Billy Helms and County Judge Mike Jacobs signed a Proclamation proclaiming may 8-16 as National Tourism Week. Fort Smith/Van Buren: The Tourist Information Center will host a celebration on Wednesday, May 9, featuring comments by area tourism officials. The Van Buren and Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commissions will recognize a Tourist of the Day and present that tourist with a basket of special gifts. The staff will serve refreshments and distribute gift bags of local products to the tourists that day. For further information contact Barbara Wilson, Fort Smith/Van Buren Tourist Information Center, 2915 Interstate 40 West, Van Buren, AR 72956. (501) 474-9512.   Harrison: The Tourist Information Center here will celebrate National Tourism Day with refreshments, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m. Coffee, juice, and pastries will be on hand for early visitors, with sandwich trays, fruit trays, and vegetable trays for anyone arriving after 11 a.m. Local and state officials will be on hand to greet travelers and Mayor Robert Reynolds will officially dedicate May 9th as Tourism Day in Harrison. Surprises and gifts will be awarded throughout the day. The local newspaper, Harrison Daily Times, will record the day with pictures and stories, and radio Stations KHOZ and KCWD will broadcast live from 11a.m. until 1 p.m. For further information, contact Norma Sims, Harrison Tourist Information Center, 3391 U.S. Hwy. 65 North, Harrison, AR 72601. (870) 741-3343.   Little Rock/North Little Rock: "Summertime in the Cities" is the theme for the Twin Cities National Tourism Day fun at Little Rock's River Market from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be opportunities to learn about all the things to do in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Central Arkansas. Games, prizes, and entertainment will be provided by local organizations and attractions. Door prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes. Sponsored by Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau and North Little Rock Visitors Bureau.   West Memphis: The West Memphis Tourist Center will be celebrating Tourism Day on Wednesday, May 9th from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Mayor Bill Johnson of West Memphis and Mayor Frank Fogleman of Marion, along with other local dignitaries, will be on hand as will the Civil Air Patrol Cadets of the Delta Composite Squadron, who will present the colors and present arms. The West Memphis High School Band and Corbet and Shirley Stanley of Millington, TN will perform, and afterwards, over 100 red, white, and blue balloons will be released by the public. Refreshments will be served and novelties will be distributed among the guests. There will be drawings for door prizes every hour. For further information, contact Martha Schuh, West Memphis Tourist Information Center, I-40 West, P.O. Box 1449, West Memphis, AR 72303. (870) 735-3637. Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism Chuck Dovish Explores Chuck Dovish, a television icon for a generation of Arkansas travelers, will debut his "Exploring Arkansas" weekly series May 3 on the Arkansas Educational Television Network. From whitewater canoeing and parasailing to cave exploring and mountain biking, the new adventure show promises to showcase The Natural State's many outdoor wonders. "High adventure is the theme, interwoven with why Arkansas is called The Natural State," Dovish said. "Action shows will include hang-gliding, hot-air ballooning, rock climbing, rappelling, sailplane soaring, kayaking, scuba diving and the list goes on. And, occasionally, we'll add some fishing … for a breather." The first five programs, airing Mondays at 6:30 p.m., will include an expedition down the Buffalo National River, living the cowboy life on a working ranch, a Civil War re-enactment, hiking the Goat Trail high above the Buffalo River, eagle watching at the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, seeking Spanish treasure in a northwest Arkansas cave, searching for freshwater pearls on White River, plus other outdoor excitement. "Throughout my nearly 30 years of telling Arkansas stories, my main objective has always been to get the good word out about the many unique places in our wonderful state," Dovish said. "With 'Exploring Arkansas' on AETN, that objective will be accomplished, not only by the show being broadcast all over the state, but also to PBS stations in surrounding states as well." AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said, "We are pleased to have Chuck Dovish join our schedule with his wonderful series about our state. It is a natural fit and continues our tradition of finding beautiful and interesting stories about Arkansas." For more information about the show, call AETN at (501) 682-2386 or visit www.exploringarkansas.com or www.aetn.org Craig Ogilvie Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism   Travel Alliance Partners Visit Arkansas   Several members of the Travel Alliance Partnership (TAP) were in Little Rock last week for the National Tour Association (NTA) Spring Meet, and many stayed to confer with Arkansas tourism officials and see more of the state. TAP is comprised of 26 NTA operators, most of whom have agreed to add Arkansas to their tour itineraries. A new publication, "TAP Into Arkansas," details five itineraries that members can customize, and TAP operators are promoting Arkansas for the first time this spring. Discussion at the meeting centered on ways to enhance the partnership and the possibility of adding regional elements to existing itineraries. Destinations, hotels, attractions and restaurants would all be involved in implementation of the new product, tentatively called "TAP into Southern Treasures." For more information, contact Theresa Kyzer of the Little Rock CVB, tkyzer@littlerock.com Bye, Bye Birdie Auditions   Do you sound like Ed Sullivan? Look like Elvis? Or, are a youngster, teen or adult who enjoys a "Blast From the Past?" Then, you will want to audition for a part in Bye, Bye, Birdie, the 2004 Summer Musical to be produced by the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center and Arkansas Tech University. Auditions will be May 10 and 11, 6:30 p.m. in the Techionery on the TECH campus. Rehearsals will begin Monday, May 24 at the Techionery at 7:00 p.m. Technical, props, and a variety of backstage assistance is needed. To volunteer, contact Director Ardith Morris at 479-964-0890 or Betty LaGrone at the ARV Arts Center 479-968-2452. As in the past, there will be six performances Friday and Saturday, June 25-26 at 8:00 p.m. and a matinee Sunday, June 27 at 2:00 p.m. The following week performances will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 1-3, at 8:00 p.m. There will be no Sunday matinee due to the Independence Day Holiday. This should give everyone an opportunity to attend this crowd-pleasing musical.   Shakespeare at Petit Jean   Romeo and Juliet to be staged at Petit Jean State Park. A fair maiden and a handsome hero in love, but tragically they are unable to stay together because of their families. Shakespeare's most recognized and well known play, "Romeo and Juliet", will be staged at Petit Jean State Park on May 6 and 7. This play, currently on a nationwide tour, is being brought to the area by the Arkansas Repertory Theater. The free play will be staged at the Recreation Hall, located behind the Park Visitor Center. Two performances will be open to the public starting at 7 pm each night. Each performance will be of the full play, approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes in length. In addition to the public performances, 2 free student performances will be offered during the day. These performances will be 80 minute youth programs, designed for students 9th grade and above. For more information on the performances for students, please contact the interpretive staff at (501) 727 6510. The Arkansas Repertory Theater staged the highly successful production of "The Tempest", at Petit Jean in 2002. The success of that production was a reason for this year's tour of Romeo and Juliet returning to the State Park. Petit Jean State Park is located 22 miles from Morrilton on Hwy 154. (501) 727 5441, http://www.petitjean.com Travelin' Arkansas: Events Taking Place in May Fort Smith's rich and colorful frontier history is just one quality that makes the city unique, but it is also the primary motivation behind current efforts for Fort Smith to be considered as a prospective new home for the U.S. Marshals Service Museum. As part of the city's efforts to demonstrate to the U.S. Marshals Service the reasons why Fort Smith is the natural choice for the museum, a group called "The Descendants" is being formed to record the histories of the family members of U.S. Marshals or deputy U.S. Marshals. An open house for "The Descendants" is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 1 at the Frisco Depot at the foot of the Garrison Avenue Bridge. Anyone with a story, photograph, artifact or memorabilia, or anyone who would like to be a part of the effort to record this history, is invited. Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-637-1477. A bit of Cajun is coming to the Ozark Mountains on May 21-22 during the 14th annual Crawdad Days Music Festival in Harrison. Each year several thousand pounds of crawfish are cooked and served with boiled potatoes and corn on the cob, along with Admission is free and activities take place at Lake Harrison Park and the downtown area. For more information, call the Harrison Chamber of Commerce at (870) 741-2659. Explore the wonders of the world without ever leaving The Natural State by attending the 20th Annual Greek Food Festival May 21-23 at Little Rock's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Food is the major attraction with a varied medley of Greek, Middle Eastern, Indian, Russian and Romanian dishes offered. The entertainment will be as varied as the menu with performances by the Greek-American Folkdance Society, Indian dancers, Middle Eastern folk dancers, O'Donovan's School of Irish Dancing, the Greek-American Folkdance Society, Ukrainian Folk Singers and Mirana's Middle Eastern Folk Dance Company. An open market featuring an agora (Greek for market) and a grocery will also be available. The church is located at 1100 Napa Valley Drive in west Little Rock, and hours of the event will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. (501) 221-5300 or visit www.greekfoodfest.com Set for May 29 at the historic depot in Russellville is Reunion 'Round the Rails, an event honoring reunions of every kind. Event-goers will be able to meet people involved with and hear stories about everything from World War II to the family member of Arkansas Tech University football players that used to ride the train to football games in the area. The reunion event also includes live music, a street dance, dance contests, arts and crafts for the kids, and an art exhibition of photography based on themes of trains, family gatherings or pictures indigenous to Russellville. The event kicks-off at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake reception. Concessions will be available. For more information, contact the Russellville Tourism and Visitor Center at (479) 967-1762 or visit www.discoverrussellville.org One of the state's most colorful and famous legends, the Arkansas Traveller, provides the theme for the 31st Annual Territorial Fair from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 8 at the Historic Arkansas Museum in downtown Little Rock. The well-known early 19th-century tale is also the basis for a celebrated fiddle tune and a famous painting by Edward P. Washburn, which in turn inspired lithographs by Currier and Ives and others. A simple exchange of four words - "Hello Stranger" and "Hello Yourself" - opens the dialogue of this homespun story involving the Traveller and the Squatter. Visitors to the fair this year will be greeted with the first phrase by the fiddlers, dancers and pioneer re-enactors and visitors will be expected to respond appropriately with "Hello Yourself." The theme will be prevalent throughout the free event as fiddlers wander the museum grounds, playing the