Start planning your summer getaway to Eureka Springs. In addition to the outdoor recreation at the surrounding lakes, there are so many things to do in Eureka Springs Arkansas this summer. The town is full of history and there are plenty of festivals to put on your calendar. With so many ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors, summer is the ideal season for a visit to this special town.
Back for its 9th year at Lake Leatherwood is the Lake Leatherwood XTERRA Festival. This off road triathlon and trail race event will be held June 7th and 8th. The XTERRA trail run series races will be held on Saturday, the 7th. There will be a 6 kilometer and a 12 kilometer trail run around Lake Leatherwood. Sunday’s events include the XTERRA Eureka Springs which can be completed individually or as a team and also the XTERRA Eureka Springs Sport which is a less intense course for beginners.
Kicking off mid-June is the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend presented by the 1905 Basin Park Hotel. The line-up has been released and features artists including Chubby Carrier, Carolyn Wonderland, Walter Wolfman Washington and Lucious Spiller, just to name a few. Shows will take place at The Auditorium, the Basin Park Hotel’s Barefoot Ballroom, Basin Spring Park, The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and other areas around town. A VIP weekend pass includes preferred seating at Auditorium shows, early seating at the Ballroom shows, a goodie bag including poster, t-shirt and other VIP items for $150.00. A weekend pass for $75.00 includes access to all Auditorium and Ballroom shows. The dates for Eureka Springs Blues Weekend are June 12th through the 15th.
July 9th through the 14th, the town of Eureka Springs celebrates all things French with the 4th annual Fleur Delicious Weekend celebration. Local bars, restaurants and shops get in on the action with French themed music, wine, food and entertainment.
Lake Leatherwood City Park is set to host the 16th Annual Fat Tire Festival on July 18th through the 20th. This weekend is filled with mountain bike off road events including down-hill, short track, cross country racing and old observed trials. Non-competitive events will include a Big Town Ride throughout the town with groups for advanced and leisure riders. There will also be a kid’s short track race and Leatherwood kid’s fun ride that is an easy route with no hills. Kid’s events finish on Sunday with a Kid’s Rodeo and Kid’s XC race. Awards and after parties will be held throughout the weekend at various bars with live entertainment and giveaways.
For a fun filled weekend spent outdoors, Eureka Springs Family Bluegrass Weekend is set to kick off August 14th through the 16th. The festivities begin at Basin Spring Park on Thursday night with a watermelon social. Participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments to take part in the open jam. Free music will continue throughout the weekend at Basin Spring Park and The Auditorium. Another great way to enjoy the outdoors is to stop by the 22nd Annual VW Festival Weekend at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks. Held the 4th weekend in August each year, this event is not just for car enthusiasts. The event features a tourcade, parade and swap meet. $25.00 gets your VW registered and an invite to the Friday night cookout for all pre-registered cars. The weekend is full of fun with live music and giveaways.
For one of a kind accommodations, check out one of Eureka Springs area bed and breakfasts. Arsenic and Old Lace is set in a Queen Anne Victorian style mansion. There are five rooms awaiting your reservation each with private bathroom. Top it all off with a complimentary breakfast served each morning and you have the perfect place for a restful getaway. For information about reservations or current specials, visit their website or call 866-350-5454.
Photo courtesy of Battle Creek CVB
