8 Events for Weekend Fun: Glowing Mini Golf, Watermelon Fests & More
This weekend is going to be a watermelon wonderland with two fantastic fests to attend, and a farmers market to visit for free slices of the sweet stuff. And don't plan on getting to bed early, because the weekend fun continues after the sun goes down with glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Big Rock, meteor showing-watching at Pinnacle Mountain and dive-in movies after dark at Magic Springs Water & Theme Park!
39th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival at Fair Park in Hope: Visitors can marvel at giant watermelons that weigh in at over 100 pounds, nosh on snacks from food booths, shop at arts-and-crafts vendors and more. Step up to compete in the watermelon-eating or seed-spitting contests. And of course, gobble up a slice of ice-cold Hope watermelon. Country music fans can also enjoy a concert from Buddy Jewell and Sammy Kershaw on Sat. evening. Noon-9 p.m. Aug. 6; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 7; 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 8. Price: Free admission, parking is $5. Info: (870) 777-3640, HopeMelonFest.com. FREE!
36th Annual Cave City Watermelon Festival at Cave City Park: This year's festival features something for everyone: a variety of free music/entertainment featuring Grammy Award-winning Shenandoah other music, events and activities such as a truck pull, a kid's fishing derby, a car show/burn out, rodeos, Melon Dash 5K, a tractor show, a WetZone for kids, watermelon games, and a free watermelon feast featuring the World's Sweetest Watermelons! 5-10:30 p.m. Aug.6; 6-10:30 p.m. Aug. 7; & 7 a.m.-10: p.m. Aug. 8. Info: CaveCityArkansas.info. FREE!
Glow-in-the-Dark Golf at Big Rock Mini Golf & Fun Park: Light up your Friday with glow-in-the-dark golf, face painting and other glow goodies for sale! 8 p.m. Aug. 7. Price: $12.50 for 18 holes. Info: BigRockFunPark.com.
Methodist Family Health Walk for Children and Families at Big Dam Bridge: Good food, live music, great cause! Walk across the Big Dam Bridge and back and help those served by Methodist Family Health. Free pizza and ice cream treats, plus free T-shirts for all participants. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 7. Price: $20; $50 per family. Info: (501) 906-4201, MethodistFamily.org.
Dive-In Movie at Magic Springs Water & Theme Park: Dive-in movies return to the water park with a showing of "Brave." The park is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and guests may stay in the wave pool for a pre-party until dark when a movie is shown on a big screen. 8 p.m. Aug. 7. Park admission: Mon.-Sun. $44.99, children 3 and under are free; kids under 48 inches tall enter at a reduced admission price; half-price admission after 4 p.m. Info: (501) 624-0100, MagicSprings.com.
Super Summer Saturdays at Clinton Presidential Center: It’s the final Super Summer Saturday of the season at the Clinton Center! Celebrate the Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit with fun-filled and educational activities, such as building-your-own dinosaur, creating fossil molds using clay, and participating in dinosaur digs. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 8. Price: Activities are free; admission fees to tour the Center apply. Info: (501) 374-4242, ClintonFoundation.org.
National Farmers’ Market Week Activities at Little Rock Farmer's Market: In honor of National Farmers’ Market Week, enjoy some extra fun at the Saturday market! Cool off with free watermelon slices and lemonade, enjoy a special performance by Fire & Brimstone, and snap a pic with Market mascot Dean the Bean. Sponsors Central Arkansas Library System, the Master Gardeners of Little Rock, and Rock City Rescue will have booths, too! 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 8. Info: Rivermarket.info. FREE!
Meteor Shower Mania at Jolly Roger's Marina: Watch shooting stars and discover the magic of the Perseid meteor shower from a pontoon boat on Lake Maumelle. A park interpreter serves as your pilot and guide on this awe-inspiring voyage around the lake to observe the night sky. 9-11 p.m. Aug. 9-11. Price: $15, children ages 6-12 $8. Info: (501) 868-5806, ArkansasStateParks.com/PinnacleMountain.
For more central Arkansas events, browse our full online calendar here.