Once again, Mother Nature is awakening from a long winter nap, and the trees and flowers are bursting with spring colors to make her feel welcome. On Saturday, May 12, (Mother’s Day weekend) join the community of Fairfield Bay, the Van Buren County Master Gardeners, BBQ cookers, carshow enthusiasts and a host of local artisans, as we celebrate the start of spring with a BIG all-day family festival. Spring comes into full bloom at beautiful Ed Leamon Park in Fairfield Bay.
Free and open to the public. Bloomin’ in the Bay is a celebration of spring featuring the popular 15th annual Van Buren County Master Gardeners Plant Sale, local artisans and vendors, food booths, a kids play zone, and new for this year, learn which plants to put out to create your very own butterfly garden. As Fairfield Bay has been named as the first Monarch City in Arkansas – a real feather in our cap – we will feature plants guaranteed to attract these beautiful creatures. 2018 marks the third consecutive year that Bloomin’ in the Bay will be held in conjunction with an afternoon taste and music experience: Blues & BBQ, will be from 11 to 4 p.m. once again bringing the ultimate backyard BBQ experience to beautiful Ed Leamon Park, featuring some talented backyard BBQ Maestros competing for a $1,000 prize. Cruisin in the Bay will have upwards of 100 of beautiful cars, both classic and late model, that are sure to inspire stories of youthful adventures.
“These three festivals are a perfect way for use to kick off spring and show what all Fairfield Bay has to offer,” says Mayor Paul Wellenberger. “Our city is thriving, and we just love hosting these events, making new friends, and sharing in the bounties that we’ve been given.”
Blooms, Bulbs, and Bushes: 15th Annual VBC Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale (9am-4pm)
Browse the booths filled with a wide variety of plants, including herbs, perennials, annuals, shrubs, native plants, hostas and trees, all locally grown and selected specifically to thrive in this area. Take a stroll through the park and enjoy the rose garden and fairy houses. Keep your eyes open – you just might see a real fairy! Sprinkled throughout the morning, along with games for kids, are self-guided nature hikes and more than 30 vendors offering unique wares and sage outdoor advice.
Fairfield Bay Named Arkansas’ First Monarch City
Fairfield Bay is honored to be named a Monarch City – the first in the state of Arkansas! To help us celebrate, special guest Ruth Andre will be sharing tips, advise for plant choices, and other information so you, too, can attract monarchs, as well as other species of these beauties to your own butterfly garden. Wings up!
The smell of BBQ is Intoxicating…
As you make your way through all the beautiful plants, you’ll notice the smell of BBQ smoke getting stronger. The third annual Blues and BBQ pairs award-winning flavors with music that will be sure to have your toes tapping and your heart thumping. “We are thrilled to watch how this festival has grown,” says Dan Feuer. “Each year we see new entries, and get to sample some of the best barbeque in Arkansas.” Music starts at 10 and continues throughout the afternoon, so be sure to bring some chairs, grab your friends, and just hang out in our great big backyard BBQ.
And, OH, the Cars! Crusin’ the Bay – a hundred classic cars
After enjoying the blooms in the park and the amazing BBQ from Blues & BBQ, be sure to check out Cruisin’ in the Bay car show, hosted by the Fairfield Bay Chamber of Commerce – over in the Fairfield Bay Mall area, within walking distance of the blooms and BBQ. “Just walking through these cars will turn any grownup back into a kid again,” says Heather Dunn, Chamber Director. “Some of these cars bring back memories of cruising down back road with friends back in the day. What fun!”
Care Caps meets the 2nd Monday of the month….we do NOT meet in April and October!
ANYONE CAN HELP…..BRING NOTHING….FFBAY VISITORS AND RESIDENTS WELCOME!!!!!
From one person to hundreds… From one Care Cap™ to thousands…
The story of Care Cap Connections™ is the story of Mary Philips’ desire to help her sister, diagnosed with terminal cancer, bald from harsh but life-extending chemotherapy.
Mary could sew expertly; Linda could not. Frustrated by scratchy wigs, unattractive turbans plus the scarcity and expense of nice kerchiefs, Linda was further depressed. Baldness left her feeling “…less than a woman”; her search for comfortable and pretty head coverings drew blanks.
Mary sewed samples. Linda liked and appreciated the garments—so much that she began to give them away to others in chemo. The need began to snowball. Demand far outstripped supply.
Friends volunteered to help Mary with the project. Others heard and joined the experience.
Today, more than 1,500 women, men and young people come together under Mary’s leadership to fabricate and deliver free of charge, “Care Caps™”, a health and human services support project that reaches thousands undergoing treatments in major cancer centers.
Her vision and leadership has developed “The Care Cap Way” of cutting, pinning, sewing and packaging comfortable kerchiefs. In five years, over 34,000 caps have been made for chemotherapy patients and shipped to the American Cancer Society and cancer clinics nationwide.
To Mary and her helpers, a cap is a person; many, many people now receive their encouragement and love – people not even known by the workers.
In mid-2007 and 2011, Mary accepted three awards on behalf of her volunteers: the noted Arkansas Community Service trophy and citations from the Arkansas State Senate and House of Representatives. Following the 2007 presentation, in an off-the-cuff comment, the NBC television program moderator could be seen and heard on camera – his grin was infectious as he exclaimed, “That’s good stuff!”
And so it is – “good stuff” – and Mary believes it must continue.
Care Cap Connections™ is a division of Volunteer America – 1776, designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity. All gifts are tax deductible. No officer, Board member or project partner is paid and no goods are sold.
In 2007, Mary’s sister, Linda, died. Mary’s dream and vision have not. Individuals, corporations and foundations are urged to keep this unique project alive.
If event falls on a holiday it will be canceled
Hours subject to change. please call the senior center 884-7800
If event falls on a holiday it will be canceled
Monthly meeting of the FFB Community Club, held every 4th Tuesday at 3:00 PM. Open to the public.
DOWNLOAD PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT ENTRY FORM
Fun in the Sun – Summer Bash in the Bay
Memorial Day Weekend, Sat. May 26th, 9am-8pm, Cool Pool Café
“The Cool Pool – Where Sunglasses are optional, but smiles are unavoidable!”
Kick off the summer the right way and spend the day sunnin’ down by the pool for the First Annual ‘Fun in the Sun’ Summer Bash in the Bay! On Saturday, May 26th, (Memorial Day Weekend) join with Fairfield Bay in starting the summer off with a HUGE all-day Pool Party Extravaganza!!
“It’s the family pool party of the summer you won’t want to miss,” exclaims Cassie Lopez, Recreation Manager. “We looked to make this a memorable, wholesome day for the family, bringing back some classic family water and lawn games people will remember from their own childhood. Plus, adding a tournament for the popular game of Pickle Ball is sure to be a hit.”
Open to the public. The Cool Pool is hosting the first annual start of the summer pool party but that is not all! Boasting some of the most spectacular views of the lake, the pool will be open until 9 pm. There is plenty of shaded outdoor seating for the whole family, even a kiddie pool for the little ones! Forgot the swimmers or sunscreen? Pop inside The Cool Pool Cafe to chill down and shop their 1,000 sq souvenir store. The grill master will be out all day making it hard to resist and easy to feed the whole crew! Hamburgers or hot dogs, with chips and a drink only $5!!
Get out in the Park? Not wanting to sit by the pool, no worries! Head down the hill, to the Tennis Courts to watch a game or two of the Pickle Ball Tournament, Singles & Doubles. Tournament starts at 9 am. Applicants can still apply online, over the phone or in The Cool Pool!
Next, take a break from watching a game and play one! Right outside the gate will be a variety of lawn games! Everything from Horseshoe and Corn Hole to Shuffle Ball and Lawn Pong. And no summer bash is complete without Water Balloons!
End the day enjoying the 600 sq. ft deck at The Cool Pool listening away to the classic rock band The Fender Benders. From oldies to classic rock, it’s a sure bet you’ll end the Memorial Day relaxed as humming along to some of your favorite tunes. “We brought back on one of the most popular summer bands to kick off the summer season. Everyone loves this band,” said Cassie Lopez. “They are a crowd favorite, playing songs so many can sing to,” she remarked, “and they do!”
Fun in the Sun is an old-fashioned, downhome ‘grill and chill’ that you won’t soon forget, becoming a family favorite to come back to each year. Don’t miss it.
If event falls on a holiday it will be canceled