10 Events for Weekend Fun: Butterfly Festival, Juneteenth, Fishing Derby
Go ahead and plan to spend your weekend outdoors! From the Juneteenth street festival in downtown Little Rock to the Summer Solstice Celebration at Toltec Mounds, our top activities this weekend are sure to get your family outside. You'll also find multiple free events, including a fishing derby in Jacksonville, the Butterfly Festival at Mount Magazine and more.
Here are our top 10 family events for the weekend of June 21-22!
1. Juneteenth 2014 at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center: This annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States is a fun-filled event rooted in history and focused on the future. With a variety of entertainment throughout the day, this block-party style celebration has something for everyone—live music, poetry, children’s activities, food trucks, and non-profit and vendor booths ranging from clothing to food. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21. For info: (501) 683-3593, MosaicTemplarsCenter.com. FREE!
2. 17th Annual Youth Fishing Derby at Dupree Park Lake in Jacksonville: Lots of hungry fish will be biting at the annual youth fishing derby in Jacksonville. Fishing enthusiasts, ages 15 and under, are invited to join in the morning of fun and fishing. After the derby, stay for a Family Fun Day event for the June Park of the Month. All ages are welcome. Food and admission are free. Registration begins at 7 a.m.; derby is from 8-10 a.m. June 21. For info: (501) 982-4171, CityOfJacksonville.net. FREE!
3. 4th Annual Prospectors' Gemboree at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro: This keystone event for the park will feature games and activities for all ages, including the annual treasure hunt for prize bottles and rocks hidden throughout the search area and the Facets of Fun Photo Scavenger Hunt. Kids will enjoy the Diamond Digging Contest and Diamond Toss, while all ages can team up for an egg toss, relay race, and watermelon seed spitting contest. Prizes will be awarded to top contenders in each game, and a full game schedule will be available at the park during the event. Events free with admission ($8, children ages 6-12 $5). 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 21. For info: (870) 285-3113, CraterOfDiamondsStatePark.com.
4. Mount Magazine Butterfly Festival at Mount Magazine State Park in Paris: Enjoy guided nature walks, garden tours, hands-on make-and-take nature crafts, nature related games, insect exhibits, live music, and more. Look for more activities in downtown Paris, including a pageant, art show, petting zoo, helicopter rides, live butterfly observatory, craft & food vendors and a kids zone. 10 a.m. June 21. For info: (479) 963-8502, MountMagazineStatePark.com. FREE!
5. 24th Anniversary Celebration at Plantation Agriculture Museum State Park: The museum first opened its doors in June 1989 after the final 3-year restoration period. The museum has long held to its mission of preserving a way of life and interpreting historic agriculture into the future. Families are invited to celebrate with free Dutch-oven desserts and homemade ice cream. 2-4 p.m. June 21. For info: (501) 961-1409, ArkansasStateParks.com/PlantationAgricultureMuseum. FREE!
6. Summer Solstice Celebration at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park: Celebrate the arrival of summer with an array of outdoor activities for the whole family. Try your hand at using primitive style weapons, create and take home native-style crafts and more. At 6 p.m. park staff will provide a presentation on the alignment of the mounds with the summer solstice sunset. A special guided sunset tour of the prehistoric mound site will begin at 7 p.m. The evening will conclude with the observation of the sunset over Mound B. $4, kids ages 6-12 are $3, under 6 are free. 5-8:30 p.m. June 21. For info: (501) 961-9442, ArkansasStateParks.com/ToltecMounds.
7. Springfield Cardinals vs. Arkansas Travelers at Dickey Stephens Park: The Travelers play the Cardinals June 19-22. On Sunday (June 22), families can take advantage of the Family Sunday discount ($10 for the entire family when you bring a church bulletin). Also on Sunday, kids can participate in a free on-field clinic taught by Travs players and coaches. The clinic begins one hour and 40 minutes before the game. $6-$12, kids 4-14 are $4-$5, under 4 are free. 7:10 p.m. June 19-21, 2:10 p.m. June 22. For info: (501) 664-1555, Travs.com.
8. Thompson Square Concert at Magic Springs Water & Theme Park in Hot Springs: Multi-platinum selling country duo Thompson Square is bringing its headlining 2014 Just Feels Good Tour to Hot Springs. The concert is free with a general admission ticket or season pass to Magic Springs; $5-$10 for reserved seating. 8 p.m. June 21. For info: MagicSprings.com.
9. Family Fun Day at Historic Washington State Park: Visit this historic Arkansas town and tour the 30 restored 19th century buildings and landmarks. This weekend, families can take part in old-timey pasttimes, such as water games and town ball. The free summer concert series kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with a big brass band concert on the lawn of the 1870s courthouse. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21. Tours are regular price ($8, children ages 6-12 $4); demonstrations and concert free. For info: (870) 983-2684, HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com.
10. Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event at Clear Channel Metroplex: Listen to speakers about issues related to gluten, enjoy samples and cooking demonstrations, and meet more than 50 vendors. Speakers include author and physician Dr. Stephen Wangen. Enter to win prizes! Parking is free. $10, 12 and under are free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 21. For info: EchoGlutenFreeInfo.Blogspot.com.
For more events, browse our full online calendar here.