10 Events for Weekend Fun: Cheese Dip, Hayrides and Jack-o-Lanterns
It's another big Halloween weekend with tons of festivals and family activities. Kiddos can dress in their Halloween best and head to the Little Rock Zoo's Boo at the Zoo or Magic Screams at Magic Springs Water & Theme Park. Plus, the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre stage comes to life -- it's the opening weekend for "Pinocchio," a musical based on the classic tale.
We've also found 10 fun events, including a festival observing National Bullying Awareness Month, a pumpkin-carving contest, a cheese dip extravaganza and more!
1. Stand Up to Bullying Arts and Film Festival at CALS Ron Robinson Theater: In observance of National Bullying Awareness Month, Songbird Multimedia and Central Arkansas Library System present a unique performing arts festival to feature music, plays, art show, free film screening, and essay contest about bullying. The award-winning documentary, “Bully,” directed by Lee Hirsch, begins at 1 p.m. Events at 11 a.m. for kids and 2 p.m. for teens include essay readings and performances. Pay what you can for admission to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. events. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 25. For info: (501) 612-0864, click here.
2. Annual Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at The Wonder Place: Little ones who aren't ready for all of the frights and thrills can hang out at this sweet soiree that includes goody bags, storytime, special crafts and a scavenger hunt. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged. As always, the second adult in the family receives free admission! $5, children under 1 free. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24. For info: (501) 225-4050, TheWonderPlace.com.
3. Mac-O-Lanterns at MacArthur Park: This pumpkin-carving contest and event features music, food trucks, face painting and libations at MacArthur Park. Pumpkin carving begins at 3 p.m. and the evening celebration goes from 5-8 p.m. The lighting of the lanterns begins at 6:24 p.m. Pumpkin carvers must pre-register by Oct. 22. 3 p.m. Oct. 25. $5, kids under 12 are free. For info: (501) 375-0121, MacArthurParkLR.com.
4. 4th Annual World Cheese Dip Championship at Bernice Gardens at South Main Street : Watch competitors from around the nation test their skills at creating the world's best cheese dip. Winners of the championship, which will be divided into Amateur and Professional divisions, will be determined by a panel of local celebrities, politicians, and food critics through a series of blind tastings. Your ticket lets you sample all the entries and cast a vote for the People's Choice Award. Proceeds go to Harmony Health Clinic. Advance tickets are $8, and tickets are $10 at the gate, children under 10 free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25. For info: CheeseDip.net.
5. 2014 Farmers’ Market Fall Festival at Farmers' Market Pavilions: Enjoy the Farmers’ Market fall decorations and “Trunk or Treat” where children can pick up candy from participating farmers. The whole family (pets, too!) is encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy face painting, pumpkin painting (small pumpkins provided), fall decorating demonstrations for adults, pumpkin carvings and more. 10 a.m.-noon. Oct. 25. For info, click here. FREE!
6. Halloween Hayride at Pinnacle Mountain State Park: Experience a different kind of Halloween and enjoy a fun-filled evening hayride complete with a roaring campfire and treats. Advance payment and registration required. $12; children ages 6-12 are $6. 5-7 p.m. Oct. 26. For info: (501) 868-5806, ArkansasStateParks.com/PinnacleMountain.
7. It's the Great Pumpkin Halloween at Bass Pro Shops in Little Rock: The Halloween fun is just getting started at Bass Pro Shops. Enjoy free crafts & pictures with the Peanuts gang 5-8 p.m. Mon-Fri.; noon-5 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Free glow-in-the dark glasses for first 100 kids who get their photo taken Mon-Fri. Scavenger hunts 1 & 3 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Special events will also be held the day of Halloween. Oct. 24-31. For info: (501) 954-4500, BassPro.com/Halloween. FREE!
8. 12th Annual Mud Run at Two Rivers Park: Participants run, walk, skip, trot, cavort through our 5K course, which winds through the scenic trails of Two Rivers Park. Participants must overcome an “obstacle” or two along the way. Then finish with a spectacular frolic through our world-renowned 300-foot mud pit, which is filled with rich Arkansas mud. $35 with shirt, $25 without shirt. 8 a.m. Oct. 25. For info: (501) 371-4639, MudRun.org.
9. Family Fall Festival at Murray Park: Arkansas CureSearch presents an event for the whole family with 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit cancer research for children. Activities include inflatables, live music, hayrides, face painting, nail art, horseshoes, costume contest, and much, much more! Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 26. For info: ArkansasCureSearch.org. FREE!
10. Family Fest at Arkansas Arts Center: An art-making festival for families will be held this Saturday with four engaging, hands-on stations in the Atrium and a scavenger hunt through the permanent collection. Two of the maker stations focus on Drawing and the 2-Dimensional elements of design, the other two activities are 3-Dimensional and focus on the elements involved in Sculpture. Refreshments will be provided. $5, free for members. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 25. For info: (501) 372-4000, ArkansasArtsCenter.org.
For more events, browse our full online calendar here.