Arkansas Welcome Centers across the state invite travelers and residents to participate in the 36th annual National Travel and Tourism Week May 5-11. The centers will host events throughout the week to showcase how tourism builds communities and enhances lives throughout Arkansas and the U.S. This year’s theme is “Travel Matters.” Join the conversation on social media by using #nttw19.
Activities taking place are:
Bella Vista/Bentonville The Bella Vista/Bentonville Welcome Center’s schedule is:
Beginning May 7: Visitors may pick up Arkansas stickers, Riceland Rice samples, House of Webster jelly samples, Cavender’s Greek Seasoning samples and bottled water. Arkansas State Park staff will visit the center with items and artifacts for travelers to learn about.
Blytheville Throughout the week, the Blytheville Welcome Center will host representatives from area attractions to visit with travelers. The schedule is:
May 6: Arkansas Geological Survey and Parkin Archaeological State Park May 7: Arkansas Department of Transportation and Crowley’s Ridge State ParkMay 8: ASU Heritage Sites and Hampson Archaeological Museum State ParkMay 9: Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Village Creek State ParkMay 10: Lake Poinsett State Park and author/historian Gene Eric Salecker to discuss the Sultana steamboat disasterMay 16 (2:30 p.m.): St. Jude Corvette Drive
Corning The Corning Welcome Center’s schedule is:
May 8: The center will host a park interpreter from Crowley’s Ridge State Park to discuss the cabins, trails and events at the park.May 9: A state park interpreter from Old Davidsonville State Park will prepare Dutch oven cobbler for visitors.May 10: Shannon Williams of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum in Piggott will help visitors celebrate the 20th anniversary of the museum’s opening (and the 92nd wedding anniversary of Ernest and Pauline Hemingway) with a wedding cake at the center.
El Dorado The El Dorado Welcome Center’s schedule is:
May 7, 11 a.m.: The center will host a travel rally with special guests from the community. Moro Bay State Park interpreters will be onsite with an alligator and the Union County Master Gardeners will be available for gardening questions. Information about surrounding state parks will also be on display. Visitors may sample Westrock Coffee, Riceland Rice and Cavender’s Greek Seasoning.
Harrison The Harrison Welcome Center’s schedule is:
May 7, “Rally Day”: Visitors will receive refreshments and snacks throughout the day. Local Radio Station KHOZ (102.9 The Z) will broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayor Jerry Jackson will make a proclamation and help greet visitors. Representatives from the Buffalo National River and other local tourism organizations will be in attendance.May 11, noon: Musician “Unkle” Dave Brancecum will be joined by Crystal & Lillyanne McCool for a bluegrass performance sponsored by the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Bull Shoals State Park will also be present to share information.
For more information, contact Leesha Miller, Harrison Welcome Center manager, 870-741-3343.
Helena-West Helena The Helena-West Helena Welcome Center’s schedule is:
Each day of the week will feature tourism partners who will provide treats/giveaways. Visitors can also register for daily grand door prizes, which will be given away on May 9. May 6, 8 a.m.: Mayor Kevin Smith will be onsite to visit with guests. May 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: The center will host a “Down-Home Delta” lunch for the public. KFFA Radio will also broadcast live. The event is sponsored by the Helena Advertising & Promotion Commission, and the first 20 visitors will receive a special door prize.
Lake Village The Lake Village Welcome Center’s events are:
May 6: The Felsenthal Wildlife Refuge will give a presentation and greet visitors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.May 7: A representative from Lakeport Plantation will be at the center presenting information from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.May 8: Lake Chicot State Park interpreter Brian Whitson will be onsite with reptiles and to educate visitors about the park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.May 9: Drew Ulrich will give a presentation on the Delta Cultural Center between 10:30 a.m. and
Red River The Red River Welcome Center’s schedule is:
Starting May 6: Samples of Cavender’s Greek Seasoning, Riceland Rice and Little Debbie cakes will be available.May 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Vendors from several Arkansas State Parks will host educational displays. Also onsite will be Tri-Lakes Corps of Engineers, Rick Evans Grandview Prairie, Christian Motorcycle Association and Westrock Coffee. LifeShare Blood Mobile will also host a blood drive. At 10:30 a.m., a door prize will be given to the first person who can correctly answer an Arkansas trivia question.
Siloam Springs The Siloam Springs Welcome Center’s events are:
Throughout the week: Visitors may pick up Little Debbie snacks, Cavender’s Greek Seasoning and Day Spring pocket calendars. May 11: The Center will serve a lunch of hot dogs and barbeque chicken sandwiches with baked beans, potato salad and bottled water.
Texarkana The Texarkana Welcome Center’s events are:
May 8: Allen Brown, mayor of Texarkana, will read a proclamation. Other special guests will be “Resource Raccoon” from Arkansas State Parks and representatives from Tractor Relics, Victory Riders Club, the Hempstead County Melody Boys, White Oak Lake State Park, DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Cossatot River State Park, Daisy State Park, Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas Game and Fish, Ron Coleman Crystal Mine, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Main Street Texarkana and the Museum Systems and the William J. Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site. Throughout the week: Visitors may sample free Little Debbie cakes, Riceland Rice, Westrock Coffee, Cavender’s Greek Seasoning, Yarnell’s Ice Cream, Post Winery muscadine juice, root beer from Diamond Beer Brewery and Williams’ Tavern chocolate earthquake cake.
For more information, contact Melissa Adams or Carol Walker at 870-772-4301 or melissa.a.adams@arkansas.gov.
Van Buren/Fort Smith The Van Buren/Fort Smith Welcome Center’s events are:
May 9: The mayors of Van Buren and Fort Smith will be onsite to greet visitors and to read an official proclamation announcing National Tourism Week. Representatives from the Advertising & Promotion Commissions from Van Buren and Fort Smith will select a lucky tourist to receive a gift basket. Visitors may sample complimentary Arkansas-made products including locally made candies and one of Arkansas’s leading agricultural exports – rice.
For more information, contact Kevin Billings, Welcome Center Manager at 479-474-9512.
West Memphis The West Memphis Welcome Center’s schedule is:
May 10: Vendors onsite at the center will include: Village Creek State Park, Parkin Archeological State Park, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Geological Survey, Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, the Southern Tenants Farmers Museum, Crowley’s Ridge State Park, Southland Park Gaming and Racing and the West Memphis Fire/Police Department. The Marion High School band and the Maddux Elementary school choir will also perform. Refreshments and door prizes will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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