So much to do in March, so little time

The Northwest Arkansas Orchid Society Show and Sale takes place March 2-4 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville. The event includes judged orchid displays, a plant sale, and classes. For more information, visit www.bgozarks.org/ or call 479-750-2620.

Pine Mountain Theater opens for its 2012 season on March 2. The theater kicks off the season with shows on March 2-3 and 9-10 with regular season dates starting March 12. In the regular season performances are given every day but Sunday. Pine Mountain Theater features Mike and Dale Bishop and outstanding pickers, singers, and comedians providing a full evening of country music, bluegrass, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, gospel and patriotic music. For more information, visit www.pinemountainjamboree.com/ or call 877-253-9156.

Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring offers a Cookin' With Coals Contest on March 3. This Dutch oven cook-off is for teams of two to three people. Teams will prepare a bread, main dish, and dessert for judging. Cooking begins at 10 a.m. with judging at 2 p.m. Samples are available to the public after judging takes place. The cost is $15 for contestants and free for spectators. If you’re not ready to compete, take the Now You're Cookin' Dutch Oven Workshop on March 24. Beginners help prepare dishes while learning some tips and tricks of cooking in a Dutch oven - a longstanding tradition in the State Parks of Arkansas. All materials are supplied. The fee includes a handout with tips and recipes. Space is limited and registration by March 17 is required. Admission is $20. For more information or to register for either event, call 870-625-7364.

Join the staff at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View for a Pizza Making Class on March 3. Learn to make homemade mozzarella cheese, whole wheat pizza crust, white and tomato pizza sauces, and how to use lots of toppings. Class size is limited to eight students. Contact the park at 870-269-3851 to register. The cost is $30. Visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/ for more information about the park.

Jacksonport State Park in Newport has a jam-packed month of programs for visitors during March! Experience the life of a pioneer child and their playthings when the park hosts Wooden Toys on March 4, 10, 11 and 21. Play with some of the favored games and trinkets from the 1800s, including a buzz saw, ball and cup, and rolling hoops. Want to learn how to attract different birds to your backyard? You will during the park’s Backyard Birds program on March 10 and 22. Participants learn the best way to protect bird seeds from the squirrels and discover exactly what our feathered friends want in their feeders. Arkansas is home to fascinating, fur-bearing animals, including beaver, mink and otter. Learn more about them and discover their unique behaviors during "Arkansas Wildlife" on March 11. Following the program, participants will be able to make a wildlife collage to take home. On March 17, youngsters are invited to a Kids’ Fishing Workshop. The program teaches youth how to bait and cast a fishing pole. Participants experience the excitement of catching “the big one” as they fish from the banks of the White River, which happens to be filled with catfish, bass and crappie. Butterflies are one of nature’s most beautiful and special creatures. Learn more about them during the park’s Butterfly Magnets workshop on March 19. Participants learn more about the beautiful insects’ behavior, including basking, patrolling and nectaring. Attendees also make their own butterfly magnet to take home. The area surrounding Jacksonport State Park is a unique place to view a variety of birds. On March 23, Bird Magnets offers the chance to learn why the area is such a wonderful habitat for so many species of birds. At the end of the program, participants will make a bird magnet to take home. March 24 is the date for the park’s GPS workshop. Geocaching is a family-friendly sport that uses a GPS unit to located hidden caches. The workshop teaches participants how to use a GPS, locate the hidden “treasure,” and place caches. The workshop fee is $20. For more information on the park’s March events, contact Jacksonport State Park at 870-523-2143.

Mountain View’s annual Spring Bluegrass Festival is set for March 8-10. The line up includes: JD Crowe & The New South; David Parmley & The Continental Divide; The Boxcars; Audie Blaylock and Redline; Goldwing Express; The Roys; Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad; The Redhead Express; Redmond Keisler & Friends; Lonesome Ridge; and the Meyer Bluegrass Band. Contact the Mountain View Bluegrass Association at www.mountainview-bluegrass.com/ or by calling 870-269-2704 for tickets and pricing. Shows take place at Ozark Folk Center State Park. The Handpicked and Handmade Craft Show is an annual show held in conjunction with the Spring Bluegrass Festival. Crafts at the show will include wood carving, jewelry, weaving, baskets, shuckery, lamp worked glass beads, old-fashioned printing, lye soap, hand-forged knives, leatherwork, brooms, pottery, flame worked copper, bee's wax candles, modest clothing, handmade instruments and more. Admission is free. Visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/ or call 870-269-3851 for details.

March 9-11 marks the Battle of Pea Ridge Sesquicentennial celebration in Pea Ridge. To celebrate the 150th anniversary the Pea Ridge National Military Park Foundation hosts "Songs and Stories of the Civil War" with Bobby Horton. On Saturday and Sunday, the battlefield hosts a luminary display, re-enactor encampment, memorial service, flag exhibit, and artillery demonstrations. Visit www.pearidgefoundation.com/ or call 479-659-1380 for more information and a schedule of events.

The Rotary Club of Eureka Springs hosts its 30th annual Victorian Classic on March 10. The race consists of a 10K run and 2 mile run/walk to benefit local charities. Parking for the race is at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks. For details, visit www.eurekarotary.org/ or call 870-926-4684.

The Eureka Springs Historical Museum’s annual SOUPER SOUP follows the Victorian Classic. A variety of delicious soups are provided by local area restaurants. Serving time is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Eureka Springs High School Cafeteria. Call 479-253-9417 or visit www.eurekaspringshistoricalmuseum.org/ for more information.

For centuries, gourds have been used for functional and artistic purposes. Powhatan Historic State Park in Powhatan offers Gourds, the Versitile Plant! Beginners Workshop on March 10. The exciting, hands-on program teaches participants to decorate and shape the versatile and unusual gourd. The fee is $20 and includes all materials, tools and instruction. Participants should bring protective clothing. Contact the park at 870-898-6765 for details.

The Days of 3 Syllamo Stage Run is set for March 12-14 in the Mountain View area. Three runs are held within the Sylamore Ranger District, and 90 percent on single-track trails including the North Sylamore Creek Trail, Sylamore Creek horse trails, and the Syllamo mountain bike trails. For general information, visit www.runarkansas.com/ or call 870-269-8068.

Set for March 15-17, Ozark Folk School – 3 Day Session focuses on learning or expanding your knowledge of a craft. Designed for folks who can’t get away for a whole week, this Folk School session offers a unique listing of hands-on craft classes. Classes are available in: Beginning Crochet; Cooking Hands-on with Herbs; Flower Fairies - Corn Shuck Dolls; Folk Kids; Frame Looms, Fibers and Finishes; Glass Beadmaking Fundamentals; Herbal Breads and Favorite Soups; Hypertufa Pots and Garden Art; Not Just Desserts—Sweet Herbal Recipes; Pottery - Basics of throwing and flatwork; Reed Basket Weaving; Relief Printing; Scrimshaw - Learn the Ancient Art of Etching on Ivory; Sheep to Shawl; Soapmaking Clean and Natural; Vegetarian Main Dishes, Salads and Sides; Weaving - Overshot - intermediate level; Wire Wrapped Jewelry. There is a non-refundable registration fee of $45 due at the time you sign up. The remainder of your class fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of class. Instructors accept cash or check.The Ozark Folk School--Spring Break Session is March 19-23. Spend an entire week immersed in learning a new craft or polishing up your skills. Folk School offers hands-on, intensive classes in pottery, weaving, tinsmithing, soap making, broom making, and more. Both sessions offer a special Folk Kids School for the 8-12 age group. Visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/ or call 870-269-3851 for registration or details on either session.

Learn to prepare healthy market-fresh food and classic French recipes at Culinary Classes by Karen, held in the Provençal-style home of Patrice and Karen Gros, in Eureka Springs on March 16-17. Karen emphasizes seasonal menus featuring fresh, local, top-quality ingredients to prepare traditional French recipes. Two types of classes are offered each month (same menu per month): demonstration classes and hands-on classes. The cost is $30. For more information, visit www.cuisinekaren.com/ or call 479-253-7461.

Catch the 18th annual St Paddy's Parade at 2 p.m. on March 17 in Eureka Springs. The parade route runs along Spring Street and Main Street from the library to the courthouse. The Kaptains of the Klub wear a tuxedo garnished by a green sash and lead the parade as they carry a flower cane in greeting parade viewers. The Kaptains walk to the courthouse where they board waiting limos and continue leading the floats and motorized part of the parade to the Rowdy Beaver Restaurant and Tavern. Two social events associated with the parade are a pre-parade “Toasting ‘n’ Roasting” of honored dignitaries and a post-parade “Corn Beef and Cabbage Free Bash” for all parade participants. For details, visit http://stpaddy.ureeka.org/ or call 479-981-9551.

Explore the versatility of outdoor cooking when Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas hosts "Mamma Mia! Italian Night: A Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop" on March 17. Participants learn to make their favorite Italian dishes in a Dutch oven, including lasagna and Italian bread. Attendees will enjoy an Italian dinner following the workshop. Reservations are required and space is limited. Contact the park at 870-892-4708 for more information.

Learn about the Eastern bluebird and build a nest box to take home at the Mammoth Spring State Park Build a Bluebird Box class on March 17 in Mammoth Spring. The Spring River Sportman's Club provides all the supplies needed. Volunteers help you assemble your box. Space is limited and reservations are required. Admission is free. Call 870-625-7364 for more information.

The 15th annual Spring Antique Show and Sale on March 17-18 in Eureka Springs is a quality show featuring 55 antique dealers from as many as 15 states with a variety of antiques including furniture, glass, advertising silver, books, jewelry, pottery, garden items, primitives, toys, linen, art and more. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 11 and younger. It’s held at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. The Spring Antique Trail Show Wine & Cheese Preview Sale is at 5:30 p.m. March 16. For more information, visit www.eurekaspringsantiqueshows.com/ or call 479-244-5167.

Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View offers an underground performance of Irish music on March 17-18. The Celtic in the Caverns event is a spin off from the popular Christmas in the Caverns music show that sells out during the holiday season. For tickets and more information, call 870-269-8068.

Give your child the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area’s spring break day camp in Rogers. Nature Exploration Day Camp--Spring Break Edition takes place March 20-22 and involves hands-on activities. The cost is $50. Registration and pre-payment are required by March 13. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.

Looking for a fun but educational activities for the kids during spring break? Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas offers a Spring Break Adventure Camp on March 21-23 for ages 7-12. Attendees explore the park and learn about history, nature and archeology through a series of fun, hands-on activities. Space is limited and reservations are required. The three-day camp is $50 per participant. For detailed information, contact the park at 870-892-4708.

Harrison hosts the 29th annual Arkansas Fiddlers Convention on March 22-25 at the south campus of North Arkansas College. Jam sessions run from noon to midnight on Thursday. Stage performance set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with jam sessions following until midnight. On Sunday, gospel music is featured from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Concessions are available. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For details, visit www.harrisonarkansas.org/ or call 870-429-6174.

Millions of years in the making, the geology where Devil's Den State Park in West Fork is located laid the foundation for the life, ecology, and human history of this special place. Join park staff March 23-25 for a Devil's Den Rocks program to celebrate the unique formations that shape the park. The day's festivities includes special hikes and talks highlighting Devil's Den's rocks, fossils, and crevices and culminates in a very special live music performance by Fayetteville folkgrass duo Still on the Hill (www.stillonthehill.com/). Contact the park at 479-761-3325 for a detailed schedule. Admission is free.

Join in the fun of flying your own kite or just watch colorful kites dancing in the sky during the 22nd annual Kite Fest on March 24 in Eureka Springs. The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the main plateau of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, located seven miles south of town on Ark. 23. Admission is free. Visit www.turpentinecreek.org/ or call 479-253-6596 for details.

The Vic Olson Memorial Show of Beer Can & Breweriana Collectors takes place March 25 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs. Associated with the Brewery Collectibles Club of American, the show includes information on beer can collecting, Breweriana ideas, hundreds of beer can collectors and thousands of beer cans. Can totes are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.arbeerclub.com/ or call 800-552-3785.

Watch arrowhead and spear point demonstrations at the 11th Annual Knap-in on March 30 at the Mammoth Spring State Park ballfield area. Flint knappers demonstrate the primitive art and beginners learn tips and tricks from the seasoned knappers. Rock and tools are available for purchase. The cost is $5 for participants and free for spectators. Call 870-625-7364 for details.

March is Arkansas Archeology Month in Arkansas. Established in 1815, Davidsonville was home to Arkansas’s first land office, post office and courthouse. Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas celebrates the historic community with a series of activities, living history reenactments and lectures on March 31. To learn more, phone 870-892-4708.