Summertime is in full swing in Arkansas, and the HEAT is on! This is the month to check out a summer food festival, such as the Cave City Watermelon Festival or the Johnson County Peach Festival. You can also make plans to enjoy some live music in Northwest Arkansas or at Magic Springs after a day of playing in the water. If you have not ever been to the World Championship Cardboard Boat Races, this is the year to put it on your calendar, it is a unique event to see. There is something for everyone to do in the natural state in July 2023. Catching a fireworks show at a baseball game is always high on the list!
Cardboard Boat Races (Heber Springs)
Head to Heber Springs the first weekend of July and see the boats that racers have designed made entirely of cardboard. Race participants will stretch the limits of their ingenuity and creativity to design cardboard boats that really work. Not only do these boats, ranging from simple rafts to stunning ships, float, but they must also complete four heats around a course on Greers Ferry Lake. This year’s theme is Space Adventure! This is always a fun day on the lake. Don’t miss the Fireworks Extravaganza at Dam Site Park at 9:30 p.m.
Date: July 1
Location: Greers Ferry
More Information: Click Here
39th Annual Pops on the River (Little Rock)
Pops on the River is the largest Fourth of July event in the state with more than 33,000 attendees. The event has expanded to include more activities, additional hours and a huge firework show. Activities include free children’s activities, a shopping marketplace, food trucks and lots of entertainment.
Date: July 4
Location: First Security Amphitheater, 400 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, Arkansas
More Information: Click Here
Other Independence Day Festivities Around the State
Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market (Conway)
The Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market will fill the Conway Expo Center in Conway this month with 300+ booths filled with vintage, upcycled/repurposed antiques and vintage-inspired décor, as well as handmade items!
Date: July 14-16
Location: Conway Expo Center
More Information: Click Here
The Johnson County Peach Festival (Clarksville)
The Johnson County Peach Festival is the oldest festival in the state. This festival has peaches, homemade crafts, a terrapin race, a bicycle obstacle course, a peach pit spitting contest, a peach eating contest, a fishing derby, a parade, a horseshoe pitching tournament and more. And we all know that fresh Arkansas peaches are the best! There is something for everyone in the family at this festival.
Date: July 20-22
Location: Clarksville
More Information: Click Here
Photo Credit: Cave City Watermelon Festival
Cave City Watermelon Festival
Since 1980, people have been coming together to celebrate the “World’s Sweetest Watermelons” and reconnect with family and friends in Cave City. Now in its 40th year, the watermelon festival is the largest festival in the region and has been voted as one of Arkansas’ best festivals. Be sure to check it out!
Date: July 27-29
Location: Cave City
More Information: Click Here
Toytopia (Hot Springs)
Take a trip down memory lane and share toy experiences with the whole family. The Toytopia exhibit is sure to rekindle the wonder and delight of your favorite childhood moments with toys of the past where you can play all day in a world of big toys.
Date: June-September
Location: Mid-America Science Museum
More Information: Click Here
Walmart Music Pavilion Cox Concert Series (Rogers)
Summertime is upon us in Arkansas, and that means a lot of outdoor music events for the Cox Concert Series. The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion has a full lineup with different genres. Which one of these would be your top pick to attend? There are still tickets available for some of these.
July 4th– Fireworks Spectacular
July 11th– Fall Out Boy
July 14th– Foreigner
July 15th– Snoop Dog
July 20th- Nickelbak
July 27th– Eric Church
July 28th– Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top
July 29th– Disturbed
More Information: Click Here
Magic Springs Concert Series
Summertime means Magic Springs is open and ready to be a destination point as a water and theme park along with the summer concert series. All the concerts are free with one-day admission or season pass! Check out the concert lineup for June!
July 1st – Hanson
July 8th– Skillet
July 15th– Clay Walker
July 22nd– Smash Mouth
July 29th– Crowder
More Information: Click Here
Minor League Baseball in Arkansas
Arkansas is fortunate to be home to two minor-league baseball clubs. The Arkansas Travelers, affiliated with the Seattle Mariners, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are based out of Springdale and are an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Attending the games of these ballclubs is always fun because they have activities for the crowds, themed nights and of course, ballpark food. Take time this month to head to a game with friends or family. The Arkansas Travelers will be having fireworks on July 2nd and 3rd and the Arkansas Naturals will have fireworks on July 4th. This would make a perfect outing for the family!
Arkansas Travelers Baseball
Date: Date: Home Games will be July 1-3, July 14- 16 and July 25- 30
Venue: Dickey-Stephens Park (North Little Rock)
Tickets: Click Here
Arkansas Natural Baseball
Date: Home Games will be July 4-9, July 18-23
Venue: Arvest Ballpark (Springdale)
Tickets: Click Here
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