Independence Day Weekend

Hot Springs Village will be hosting three days of fun-filled events to celebrate America’s Independence Day.

On Saturday, July 2, the DeSoto Marina will be the site of canoe and paddle boat races beginning at 9 a.m. The DeSoto Pools will be open and feature an inflatable water slide from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Each day he Boy Scouts will be offering hot dogs, nachos, and more for sale at the pool. Hotel California, A Salute to the Eagles is Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. at Woodlands Auditorium. The performance is already sold out.

On Sunday, July 3, the DeSoto Family Recreation Area will host a three on three basketball tournament at 5 p.m., the DeSoto Pools will hold its annual Biggest Splash Contest at 2 p.m. Strut Your Mutt will take place at the Balboa Pavilion from 1 to 3 p.m. sponsored by the Animal Welfare League. The Big Band Concert and hot air balloon glow is from 7 to 9 p.m.

Strut Your Mutt includes a costumed pet parade, cake walks, beanie baby toss, mini adopt-a-thon, courtesy nail clips by Lisa’s Mobile Pet Grooming, and shopping opportunities from Barkansas Boutique, Heavenly Pets, and Waggin’ Tails. This is a free event hosted by the Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League.

Monday, July 4, the family recreation area will host a miniature golf tournament and all you can eat watermelon at 1 p.m. while it lasts. The pool will again have the water slide from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Balboa Pavilion and beach area will have a disc jockey spinning tunes, beach activities and food and beverages vendors available at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m. a kayak/canoe tour of Lake Balboa will begin at the Balboa Boat Ramp sponsored by the Hot Springs Village Woodworkers. Additionally, the Woodworkers will be holding a raffle drawing for a wooden canoe at 3 p.m. Raffle tickets are being sold now and will be available before the drawing. There will be a live band for dancing from 6 to 9 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to go off at 9 p.m.