This year Eureka Gras, the way the traditional Mardis Gras is celebrated here in this historic Arkansas Ozark community, will have a whole host of festive activities that will see hearts, arms, umbrellas, and a hotel open for a weekend of revelry that would make anyone from Vieux Carré sit up, take notice and start parading. Eureka Gras 2010 begins Thursday, February 4.
“You cannot believe the outpouring of love for this festival from the people of this community,” said Bill Ott, Eureka Gras’ first king in 2006. “Each year local enthusiasm has grown exponentially for Eureka Gras like a heart opening up for a first love.
“Besides it being a great festival unto itself, it sort of marks the awakening of our resort community from its winter slumber that began shortly after New Year’s Day. Once awoken, our merchants, lodging providers and restaurateurs open their arms wide to welcome Eureka’s lifeblood, our out-of-town visitors.”
Highlights for Eureka Gras 2010 include the Coronation Ball on Thursday, February 4; Hookers and Jokers Ball on Friday, February 5; Eureka Gras Parade through Downtown Eureka Springs on Saturday, February 6. Second Line strutting with open and twirling decorated umbrellas will be a special part of each scheduled event.
“Mondo kudos go out to Krazo Captain and Katrina refugee Dan Ellis,” concluded Ott. “It has been his enthusiasm and incomparable product knowledge that has grown this festival into the one of prominence that it is today. He embodies l’aissez les bon temps rouler!”
Mardi Gras in Historic Eureka Springs
January 28th, 2010Food is a Celebration of Life
January 26th, 2010
Many of our guests know that for the last couple of years Doug has been working on a cookbook that is a collection of recipes used at the Inn and also some of Doug and Beverly’s family favorites. Well it is complete and at the printers. We should have a supply of these cookbooks by early March. The book is entitled “Food is a Celebration of Life” and as mentioned in the forward “… food was a key element used by our friends and families to celebrate both joyous and sad moments.” Quoting further, “Today we use aromas and flavors of our breakfasts and snacks to, we hope, heighten the experience and excite the senses of our guests at Arsenic and Old Lace as they celebrate moments in their lives.” Please contact Doug or Beverly at the Inn if you’d like additional information about the cookbook or to purchase one for your self or as a gift.
Enjoy yourself and help to save the Wilderness
January 13th, 2010When you stay at Arsenic and Old Lace for 2 or more days January – March we will donate 2% of your stay to the Wilderness Society. Read more in the Press Release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WinterGreen Vacations – Your winter vacation can help protect American wilderness areas.
From the Sierras to the Smokies, from “sea to shining sea” and all the wild places in between, America’s wilderness is an indelible part of our national heritage and an important legacy to pass on to our children.
Pristine, undeveloped wilderness is important – not only in its own right, but for the clean air and water, recreation, and wildlife habitat it provides all of us.
But these wild places are constantly under pressure and need protection in order to thrive.
And now there is a new program that makes it easy for winter travelers to support those remaining wilderness areas – WinterGreen Vacations. Read the rest of this entry »
Arsenic and Old Lace Joins the Diamond Collection
January 13th, 2010We are proud to have been accepted for membership in the Diamond Collection sponsored by BedandBreakfast.com. Please read the press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Add release date)
Contact: Doug Breitling, 479-253-5454, arsenicoldlacebb@gmail.com
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE BED & BREAKFAST SELECTED FOR THE BEDANDBREAKFAST.COM DIAMOND COLLECTION
Diamond Collection members represent professionally inspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns with extensive modern amenities
Eureka Springs, Arkansas – Arsenic and Old Lace Bed & Breakfast joined the BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection, a distinction reserved for premier inns offering extensive amenities and top-rated guest reviews. Launched in October, 2009, the Diamond Collection was introduced to help travelers streamline their search for the country’s best inns. Arsenic and Old Lace Bed & Breakfast is the newest member of the BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection. Click here < http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/diamondcollection/diamondmembers.aspx > to see a complete list of Diamond Collection members.
To qualify and maintain membership in the Diamond Collection, B&Bs and inns must pass a comprehensive professional inspection measuring the property’s quality, service, hospitality, accommodations, food, amenities, and more. To qualify for membership, Diamond Collection properties all maintain top guest ratings and reviews on BedandBreakfast.com and offer a professional reservation experience, including extensive property photos and online reservations. Additionally, Diamond Collection members provide the amenities that today’s travelers require, including private baths, free Internet service, luxury appointments and amenities, professional staffing, and flexible check-in/out times.
“Vacation time is a valuable commodity these days” explained Eric Goldreyer, Founder and CEO of BedandBreakfast.com. “When planning a getaway, travelers want the assurance of knowing that they’ll be staying at a B&B or inn that meets the highest standards. (Insert the name of your inn) is a perfect addition to this group of premier inns,” finished Goldreyer.
About (Insert the name of your inn):
(Insert a paragraph that describes your inn, highlighting its unique features).
About BedandBreakfast.com:
Founded in 1995, BedandBreakfast.com is highly recommended by The New York Times, Real Simple, Forbes, Travel & Leisure, USA TODAY and many others. To learn about over 10,000 other perfect choices for your next B&B getaway, visit BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. A variety of search functions and extensive maps enable inn goers to find the perfect B&B. Travelers can make reservations online, purchase The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, read up-to-date trip reports on The BedandBreakfast.com Blog, read and write independent reviews, and post questions on expert-hosted message boards.
For more information on Arsenic and Old Lace Bed & Breakfast, visit www.EurekaSpringsRomanceBB.com or call 800-243-5223 for reservations.
Host Your Eureka Springs Wedding at Our Inn
September 11th, 2009As we know, Eureka means, “I have found (it).” The expression first gained fame when Archimedes exclaimed it thousands of years ago, and has since been widely used. Our town of Eureka Springs was named by Burton (Buck) Saunders: the discovery he was referring to were the healing waters of the natural springs here. Certainly the waters were the reason people had first been drawn to the area, and why they stayed (along with the fabulous hunting, fishing, and of course beauty of the place).
“Eureka” may also be appropriately exclaimed when true love is found; I know that’s how I felt when I found it. When you are ready to declare your love to one another in front of witnesses, why not do it in Eureka Springs? Our bed and breakfast is wonderfully situated to host your Arkansas wedding. We offer the elegance of a Queen Anne Victorian Mansion and the beauty of our location nestled in the Ozark Mountains. Your Eureka Springs Wedding at our bed and breakfast may be based around one of several affordable wedding packages, or choose what you like from our offerings. Of utmost importance to us is that your wedding be what you want it to be, and that it is stress free.
Romance awaits you here. Spend your first nights together as a married couple in our romantic Tree-Top Suite, with two-story walls of windows overlooking the tops of trees. Why not start your lives together on top of the world?
Horseback Riding in Eureka Springs
August 13th, 2009
For over 20 years Red Bud Riding Stables have been providing horseback riding to visitors of Eureka Springs. Bring your cameras, dust off your cowboy boots, and mount your horses! Enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the Ozarks from horseback with this family run operation. As you are guided through the varied terrain of their private wildlife preserve, you will have the opportunity to encounter deer, turkey, coyotes, red-tailed hawks, and other animals. Nature at its best!
During the summer months reservations are not necessary, but recommended. The horses are very well natured and their fees are $25.00 per person. If you are riding double with children 2-4 years old, they are charged $12.50.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
August 9th, 2009
Pea Ridge National Military Park was created in 1956 and preserves the history of the pivotal 1862 battle. The park covers 4,300 acres of land and covers the entire battlefield where a little over 400 men were killed during a two day battle. Overall around 2,000 brave men died as a result of this battle. The story is not just about the generals, but about the soldiers as well. They offer the biographies of the battle’s leaders and allow you to read excerpts from letters and diaries as well.
Pea Ridge National Military Park has indoor and outdoor activities for its visitors. Especially enjoyed is the 7-mile self-guided tour road where there are 28 exhibits to interpret the war in action. If you would like to stop and enjoy nature, there are also 7 miles of trails with opportunities to see wildlife and the beautiful forest. Horse trails are available, but no rental facilities. At the Visitor Center be sure to view the museum and the bookstore, as they are very well done.
Deer at the Inn
August 8th, 2009
Courtesy of Michael Dowling
Michael Dowling was a guest of ours this Spring and shared this photo with us. as you can see this young buck was watching Michael from behind a bush next to our pond. Even the wildlife find interesting things to to and great food at Arsenic and Old Lace B&B.
The Railroad and Eureka Springs
August 7th, 2009
Courtsey of Michael Dowling
Eureka Springs’ railroad history is celebrated in the Eureka Springs and Northwest Arkansas rail road attraction. Just to the south of the depot and maintencnce area lies the ruins of what was once a busling ice house. Although only the shell remains it is a beautifully haunting structure as shown in thisphoto from one of our guests.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in Eureka Springs
August 4th, 2009
A romantic way guests of Arsenic & Old Lace tour Eureka Springs is by a horse drawn carriage with Olden Day Carriage Rides. Horse drawn carriage rides are truly unique and a very relaxing way to enjoy Eureka Springs. Of course, they are also used for the many Eureka Springs weddings, what a surprise! In the heat of the summer, carriage rides mostly occur after the day cools down, usually early evenings. This is for the safety of the guests and oh yes, the horse. If it is in the fall season, snuggly blankets are available to keep you warm!
Olden Day Carriage offers a variety of tours. The basic tour is about 30 to 45 minutes and is $40.00 for up to 4 adults. They also offer an extended tour for $65 for two people for one hour. However, the carriage ride time always depends on the mood of the horse and the amount of traffic! Surprisingly enough they also have a “Marriage on the Carriage” available as well. They ask for a 24 hour advance notice and charge $75.00 for a guided tour of the downtown area. Military discounts are also available.
Thursdays "Fun After 5 in Downtown Eureka Springs"
Second Saturday Gallery Stroll
Opera in the Ozarks