EASTERN ARKANSAS — The fall festival season has arrived. This weekend is Cherry Fest in Cherry Valley, the Marked Tree Roots Fest and the Caldwell Cotton Pickin’ Festival.
Cherry Fest
Cherry Fest begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the new Cherry Valley City Park. The festival begins with recognition of the Cherry Valley Citizen of the Year followed by a cutest pet contest. Live music begins at 10:30 a.m. and features Buddy Andrews, Jeff Epps and Aaron Headley. There will be a cherry spitting contest at 3 p.m. A Show & Shine Car Show begins at 9 a.m., with Valve Cover Racing starting at 3 p.m.
Roots Fest
Roots Fest will be held Friday and Saturday in downtown Marked Tree. Most of the festivities will take place Saturday. There will be live music starting at 10:30 a.m. with Jukebox Zeros, Dalanie Taylor, Madison and Lance McDaniel, Brewster & Company Band and headliner, the ShotgunBillys at 8 p.m. There will be a barbecue contest and food trucks, a duck race at 3:30 p.m. and pro wrestling at 6 p.m. There will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament throughout the day and a kids zone featuring a petting zoo, bounce houses and water slides, a mechanical bull and a mobile gaming truck.
Cotton Pickin’ Festival
The Caldwell Cotton Pickin’ Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with music from Beau Renfro and Open Range and bingo. Most of the events will be held Saturday and include a pancake breakfast hosted by the Christian Motorcyclists Association starting at 8 a.m., bingo at noon, and live music starting at 1 p.m. There will also be games and activities for kids and a Cotton Pickin’ Queen Pageant, which starts at 3 p.m. Saturday. “American Idol” contestant Michael Garner will perform starting at 4 p.m. followed by the Live Wire Band. Other activities include food booths, a cake walk, a gun raffle, a bouncy house, pony rides, a train ride and door prizes. For more information, call 870-261-2872.
Other fall events include:
- Oct. 3 – Lepanto Terrapin Derby
- Oct. 9-10 – Trumann Wild Duck Festival
- Oct. 10 – Weiner Rice Festival
- Oct. 10-11, 17-18 – Harrisburg Parker Homestead Festival
- Oct. 24 – Hickory Fest (Hickory Ridge)
