Bidding Farewell to Summer: A Celebration of Community and Creativity

As the warm days of summer begin to fade, communities across Arkansas are coming together to bid a fond farewell to the season. From library adventures and water park festivities to art exhibitions and theatrical productions, there's something for everyone to enjoy as the state transitions into the cooler months ahead.

Embracing the End of Summer with Joy and Excitement

Laman Library's "So Long Summer" Extravaganza

The North Little Rock Public Library System is hosting a "So Long Summer Library Adventure" party, inviting the community to come together for an afternoon of fun and celebration. Held on Thursday from 4 to 6:30 PM, the event will transform the Laman Plaza, main entrance, and lecture hall of the William F. Laman Public Library into a classic backyard setting. Guests can look forward to a variety of lawn games, water inflatables (including the 50-foot "Fire Island" obstacle course), tasty snacks, and a dedicated Tiny-Tots Zone. Inside the Lecture Hall, a slideshow will showcase the memorable moments from the library's summer programs, allowing attendees to reminisce on the season's activities. Visitors can also enter to win goodie bags filled with exciting surprises until July 31st. In case of inclement weather, the majority of the festivities will be moved indoors, ensuring the celebration continues regardless of the forecast.

Magic Springs' "Christmas in July" Festivities

Heading south to Hot Springs, the Magic Springs Theme and Water Park is embracing the spirit of the holiday season with its "Christmas in July" celebration. On Friday from 6 to 8 PM, the park will serve up Christmas cookies, host Christmas-themed contests and games led by Santa Claus himself, and extend the wave pool hours for an extra dose of summer fun. But the celebration doesn't stop there – the park is also collecting food donations through August 9th to support the Project HOPE Food Bank's Backpack Program, which provides nutritional assistance to students across five Arkansas counties. This unique blend of seasonal cheer and community outreach promises to make for a truly memorable experience.

Exploring the Extraterrestrial at the River Valley Arts Center

In Russellville, the River Valley Arts Center is taking a cosmic turn with its inaugural UFO Festival, marking the one-year anniversary of former U.S. Air Force officer David Grusch's testimony to Congress about the government's alleged concealment of evidence related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) and "non-human biologics." The festival will feature a series of workshops, kicking off with a "Paint a UFO (UAP)" class at noon. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their own UFO stories during the open mic session, learn how to use a planisphere, and create personalized star charts. The event will culminate with the unveiling of a garden art sculpture after dark, providing a truly out-of-this-world experience for all who attend.

Celebrating Community and Clean Water in Phillips County

Across the state in Phillips County, a weekend-long community festival called "There's No Place Like Home" is set to take center stage. This event is part of the larger "Arts for EveryBody" national campaign, which aims to champion arts participation as a means of promoting individual and community health. The festival will feature a new community splash pad, delectable food, and a diverse lineup of live performances, including poetry, speakers, line dancing, and musical acts. Additionally, the festival will serve as a platform to announce the winners of the Clean Water Art Contest, underscoring the importance of environmental stewardship. The festivities will culminate with the opening of the "Living Waters" installation along the banks of the Mississippi River, complete with a catfish fry, songs, and a gospel concert.

Capturing the Natural Beauty of Arkansas and Beyond

As the summer season draws to a close, art enthusiasts in Little Rock and El Dorado will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of captivating exhibitions. At the Cantrell Gallery, "The Natural State and Beyond" showcases the landscapes and seascapes of artist Jay Ewing, captured in oils and watercolors. Ewing's work, which includes scenes from the University of Arkansas, Poipu Shoreline, and Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, will be on display from Friday through October 19th, with the artist available to meet visitors on Saturday.Across the state in El Dorado, the South Arkansas Arts Center is hosting two concurrent exhibitions. "Lines & Layers: The Art of Gary Bachers & Christopher Bachers" features the works of a father-son duo, both artists from Texas, in the Merkle and Price Galleries. Alongside this exhibition, the Lobby Gallery will showcase "Chree Journeys," a collection of prints by Paragould artist Mandy Maxwell Mooneyham, inspired by the symbiotic connection between trees and chairs. Both exhibitions will be open to the public from Saturday through September 5th.

Bringing Beloved Stories to Life on Stage

For theater enthusiasts, the Foundation of Arts' Young Artist Theatre in Jonesboro is presenting a delightful production of Disney's "Finding Nemo Jr." Based on the 2003 Pixar film, the musical adaptation features music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson and Robert Lopez, with a book adapted by Lindsay Anderson. Performances will take place on Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2 and 6 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM, with Arvest Bank serving as the presenter. Tickets are available for purchase, with discounted prices for children, seniors, military personnel, and Arkansas State University students, faculty, and staff.

Honoring Literary Excellence in Arkansas

In the realm of literature, the Central Arkansas Library System's Butler Center for Arkansas Studies is recognizing the outstanding work of author John Kirk, who has been awarded the annual Booker Worthen Literary Prize. Kirk's biography, "Winthrop Rockefeller: From New Yorker to Arkansawyer, 1912-1956," published by the University of Arkansas Press in 2022, has been lauded for its comprehensive exploration of the first 44 years of the former governor's life, before he made Arkansas his home. The ,000 prize, established in memory of longtime library supporter William Booker Worthen, celebrates the best work by an Arkansas-based author published within the previous three years.

Soaring to New Heights with "Peter Pan"

As the summer season comes to a close, theater enthusiasts in Little Rock can look forward to the arrival of a touring production of the beloved classic, "Peter Pan." Tickets for the shows, scheduled for September 13-15 at the Robinson Center Performance Hall, will go on sale on Monday, offering audiences the opportunity to experience this new adaptation by playwright Larissa FastHorse, which incorporates music by Morris "Moose" Charlap, Jule Styne, and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green, all based on the original play by James Barrie.