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!”
4th Annual
“BayFest in the Park”
PetFest, KidsFest and music, music, music!
Saturday, September 15th, Woodland Mead Park
The 2018 outdoor festivals in Fairfield Bay continue with the fourth annual BayFest in the Park, a pet-friendly, family friendly all day festival with something for everyone to enjoy!
“Our BayFest just keeps growing from year to year,” says Dan Feuer, festival chairman. “It’s awesome to see people who are here every year remark at how much better this festival gets. In addition, word is spreading that this festival is the best around, and we get to see new faces from all over Arkansas come see what we’re all about.”
10am – A full day of fun starts off at 10:00 with food, mini golf, craft vendors, baggo and more! Wander through shady Woodland Mead park, and see what all the vendors offer – from clothes to handmade crafts, they’ll definitely have something you’ve gotta have! And the food choices are aplenty – fresh fruit lemonades, kettle corn, Asian cuisine, and Chow Hall BBQ will be offering delicious treats sure to satisfy any appetite. The Baggo Tournament starts at 12:30PM, and grab your awesome foursome for a mini golf tournament, starting at 2:30 PM!
Bring the Pets!
BayFest is not just fun for people, it’s a blast for the dogs, too! Dress up Fido and Fluffy is their snazziest outfits, and join our pet parade, starting at 11:30 AM. Cheer on your favorite and watch the tails start to wag! Too much fun!
Music, Music, Music!
BayFest is not just great food and one of a kind crafts. Our all day festival will feature 5 outstanding live acts, sure to get toes tapping and dance fever started! Music starts at 11:00AM with Damascus Road playing in the Lions Theater Amphitheater, followed by Imagine That Band at noon, Bree Ogden at 1:00PM, and the Luke Williams Band at 2:00PM. Big Shane Thornton will round out the day’s music, beginning at 3:30 PM.. So much music all day – no reason not to grab a dance partner and cut a rug!
And a Dunk Tank!
Want to show off your dunk tank skills? Have we got a deal for you! For just $5 you’ll get three tries to dunk your favorite local leaders. So step up to the line and let ’em fly! All in great fun, it’s going to be going on all day, and all proceeds will go to a local charity.
A Big THANK YOU!
Our festival could not be what it is without our AWESOME sponsors. We’d like to thank F.L. Davis ACE Home and Building Centers, Mountain Ranch / Tannenbaum Golf, Community Water, Bath Fitter, and Craven Foods, as well as the Cowboy Auto Group, for their support of our festival.
Stay tuned for the latest updates!
Look at last year’s fliers to see what you are in store for!
Welcome Fall to the Ozarks with the Fifth Annual
OktoberFest at the Bay
October 6, 2018
Time to stretch the old dancing muscles and join us in “rolling out the barrel” at our fifth annual OktoberFest at the Bay, October 6th beginning at 3:00PM at the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center.
“It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for 5 years,” said Fairfield Bay Mayor Paul Wellenberger. “Everyone just LOVES how we welcome fall in the Ozarks, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to host this family friendly festival again this year. And you get to see our New Cobblestone Hotel in it’s final stage of completition!”
Something for Everyone!
Free and open to the public, OktoberFest begins at 3:00p.m. on Saturday, October 6th with authentic German treats and drinks, traditional oom pah pah music, and lots of activities for kids and adults alike. Brats, German potato salad, and other treats will be available for purchase from 3:00 – 7:30 PM. A traditional Volksmarch kicks off at 4pm, followed by “a traditional Roll out the Barrel and Grand March at 6pm. And grab a dance partner and cut a rug to some traditional dance music from 6-9pm. What fun!
The Heart of the Festival
At the center of a traditional OktoberFest is mouth-watering German fare, such as brats, German potato salad, and more. Open from 3:00 – 7:30PM, the authentic German event boasts plenty of seating and room to dance. Bring a good appetite, some dancing shoes, and lots of friends to spend a fun-filled evening with! Prosit!
For More Information
OktoberFest is held at the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center, located at 110 Lost Creek Parkway in Fairfield Bay. For a complete list of events and times, as well as other information, call (501) 884-4202 or visit www.VisitFairfieldBay.com/Oktoberfest or www.FairfieldBayConferenceCenter.com.