10 Events for Weekend Fun: Mini Golf, Mountain Biking, Food Trucks and More
Happy fall! Enjoy the first weekend of October enjoying the autumn weather at one of the many outdoor events. Families can learn about riding mountain bikes, join a fundraising walk for autism or Arkansas Children's Hospital, tee off in a mini golf competition, or attend a fun festival (hello, food trucks!).
And of course, there will be many opportunities for harvest activities, too! Check out our list of pick-your-own pumpkin patches for 19 spots that offer pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, pig races and much more.
How People Make Things Exhibit Opening at Museum of Discovery: Inspired by Mr. Rogers' Factory Tours, this exhibit shows the ways in which familiar childhood objects are manufactured, and the people, ideas and technology used to transform raw materials into finished products. Use a die cutter to create objects, operate a 3-axis mill to carve a block of wax, deform a penny, mold pourable wax and explore vacuum forces! Exhibit opens Oct. 3-March 27. Museum hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. Price: Free with museum admission: $10, children 12 and younger $8. Info: (501) 396-7050, MuseumOfDiscovery.org.
5th Annual Main Street Food Truck Festival in Downtown Little Rock: More than 40 food trucks and mobile eateries join in a festive atmosphere on Main Street between 3rd and 8th Streets. Activities include craft vendors, local musicians, street performers, beer gardens, Heifer International children's activities and more! 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 3. Info: (501) 375-0121, MainStreetFoodTrucks.com.
FestiVille at Dupree Park in Jacksonville: Celebrate fall with a two-day city festival featuring carnival rides, games, live entertainment, Grill in the Ville BBQ Contest, 5K walk/run, paddle boats, concessions, vendor booths, volleyball tournament, car show, K9 demos, petting zoo, kid’s area and much more. 3-7 p.m. Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 3. Info: (501) 982-4171, CityOfJacksonville.net. FREE!
Angel One 5K at Two Rivers Park: The Angel One 5K is a fun run/walk organized by the Angel One crew to help families of children transported to ACH. After the run, stay for the festivities, which include bounce houses, an appearance by Scout, the ACH mascot, and an ambulance and helicopter. Many children are transported long distances to ACH for the special care they need. The proceeds from this event help the Angel One crew provide financial assistance when needed to families. 8 a.m. Oct. 3. Price: $35 for 10K; 5K is $25; virtual runners are $20. Info: (501) 364-1476, ARChildrens.org.
Big Rocker's Cup at Big Rock Mini Golf & Fun Park: Grab your putter and report to the mini golf course! The tourney for the whole family includes rounds of elimination, trophies for the winners and prizes. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Arkansas. 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3. Price: $10. Info: (501) 455-3750, BigRockFunPark.com.
Big Rock Mountain Bike Festival at Big Dam Bridge Cook's Landing in North Little Rock: To celebrate “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day,” this event introduces kids to mountain biking with an obstacle course, easy trail rides led by experienced mountain bike leaders, a “bunny-hop” clinic and other games and contests. There will also be a women’s mountain biking clinic. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 3. Info: (501) 707-5989, ArkansasOutside.com. FREE!
39th Annual Sherwood Fest at Sherwood Forest: This one-day festival includes live music, activities, local vendors, a cutest kid contest, and a totally free Kid Zone filled with bounce houses, crafts and games. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 3. Info: (501) 833-0476, CityOfSherwood.net. FREE!
6th Annual Arkansas Walk Now For Autism Speaks at William J. Clinton Presidential Library: Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family-friendly event which includes music and entertainment, light refreshments and an autism-related resource fair. The Family fun walk is one-mile long; the 5K is a competitive race. Same-day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Oct. 3. Price: $30-$35. Info: WalkNowForAutismSpeaks.org.
High Cotton on the Bayou Festival at Scott Plantation Settlement: Step back into turn-of-the-century history for a day of family fun. While listening to live music, tour authentic plantation buildings and watch demonstrations of heritage skills such as sorghum making, butter churning, and blacksmithing. Participate in early period games, face painting, and crafts for children. Meet local artists, authors, and vendors of food and farm produce. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 3. $3, children ages 6-17 $1, children under age 6 free. Info: (501) 351-0300, ScottConnections.org.
"Puss in Boots" at Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre: Be amazed as swashbuckling Puss the Cat raises his master, Claude, from a down-and-out miller’s son to the heights of happiness. Enjoy all the madcap fun as Puss brandishes, not his sword, but his superior feline intellect to conquer kings and ogres (and even a few rabbits along the way). Through Oct. 4: 7 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Price: $12.50; AAC members are $10. Info: (501) 372-4000, ArkansasArtsCenter.org.
For more central Arkansas events, browse our full online calendar here.