May in the Ouachitas

The Prairie Grove Band opens the 11th season of The Frontporch Stage May 5 in Mount Ida. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of music. The free concerts take place on the courthouse lawn downtown. The concerts ( bluegrass, gospel and country) start of the first Saturday in May and last through October. For more details visit www.frontporchstage.org or call 870-867-2761.

Join a park interpreter for a kayaking adventure on Lake Catherine May 5 during a Kayak Cove Adventure at Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs. Another program is slated for May 16. No experience is necessary, but participants should be comfortable around water. The cost of the program is $15 and kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are provided. For more information visit www.arkansasstateparks.com or call 501-844-4176.

Enjoy an overnight kayaking adventure May 5-6 during Kayak Campout at Lake Ouachita State Park in Mountain Pine. If you can't make that trip another one is scheduled for May 19-20 too. The trips includes meals and evening programs and information on the history, geology and wildlife of Lake Ouachita. Bring your own kayak and supplies or rent them from the park. Cost of the trip is $85. A Full Moon Kayak Tour is set for May 26 at the park. Cost is $15. For more information on either programs, visit www.arkansasstateparks.com or call 501-767-9366.

The 7th annual Stueart Pennington Running of the Tubs is May 12 in Hot Springs. The race was created in 2006 as a nod to the city’s fabled thermal waters that have for more than 175 years made the city the spot where “We Bathe The World.” The event takes place on Bathhouse Row and revolves around costumed teams pushing regulation bathtubs full of water and one bather the length of the Row. The rules change every year, especially after the race has started, but fundamental rules apply each year. For more details visit www.hotsprings.org.

Lapidary Wonders is May 19 at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. A lapidarist is someone who cuts and polishes precious and semi-precious stones. Join park interpreters in the Diamond Discovery Center classroom to learn what tools are used to cut, tumble, facet, and polish rocks and minerals in this free program. For more information visit www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com or call 870-285-3113.

The 4th annual Heritage Day is May 25 in Mount Ida at the Heritage House Museum. Volunteers, dressed in period clothing, welcome visitors to a homestead heritage themed day of activities. Enjoy demonstrations on the grounds of timber work, blacksmithing, open fire cooking, muzzleloading, butter churning, making hominy, whittling, quilting, knitting and more. Also view the Exhibit Barn, 1880s Log House, Eleanor Outhouse and Sorghum Cook Shed. For more information visit www.hhmmc.org or call 870-867-4422.

The 23rd annual Tri-Lakes Big Bass Festival is May 26 in De Queen. During the event, anglers have the chance to fish on three area lakes: De Queen, Dierks and Gillham. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes will be given away during the tournament which begins at 6 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. The cost of the tournament is $40. For more information check out www.dequeenchamberofcommerc.com or call 870-584-3225.