SUMMER FUN GUIDE – JonesboroRightNow.com – Getting out in your community and spending time with people at various festivals and events can be a great way to spend your summer.
We’ve compiled a list of all kinds of festivals and events happening across NEA this summer.
Cave City Watermelon Festival
- When: July 23-25
- Where: City Park, W. South St., Cave City
- Details: This event celebrates the “world’s sweetest watermelons” grown right in Cave City. It will have food trucks, vendors, plenty of live music and concerts, arts and crafts, and all sorts of different watermelon-based competitions.
Big Grass Bluegrass Festival
- When: July 24-25
- Where: Historic Collins Theatre, 120 W. Emerson St., Paragould
- Details: Enjoy several bluegrass acts this weekend, including Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Wood Box Heroes, Ramblin’ Heart, High Fidelity, Williamson Branch, and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Tickets are required for the shows, click here for more information.
Growing Mind Foundation’s Popsicles and Possibilities 5K
- When: July 25, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Pavilion 1 at Craighead Forest Park, 4910 S. Culberhouse Road, Jonesboro
- Cost: $40 to register for the race. Click here to register.
- Details: This event will include a 5K race, with proceeds to benefit Craighead County children with disabilities. Food trucks, various vendors, and bounce houses will also be present.
A-State Football Kickoff Party
- When: July 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Cooper Alumni Center, 600 Alumni Blvd., Jonesboro
- Cost: $60 per ticket. Click here to purchase.
- Details: The event will include an all-you-can-eat buffet, live music, programming focusing on the Red Wolves’ upcoming season, as well as shop for merchandise and from various vendors.
NEA Outlaw Showdown
- When: July 30-Aug. 1
- Where: Jonesboro Karting Complex, 3141 W. Parker Road, Bono
- Details: Attendees can watch wing kart racers battle it out for high payouts and a trophy.
Hijinx Back to School Bash
- When: Aug. 1, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Hijinx, 3102 Shelby Drive, Jonesboro
- Details: With the purchase of a bowling game, families can play glow-in-the-dark bowling, win prize wheel spins, and be entered to win a backpack filled with school supplies. One backpack will be selected per grade-level group, which are elementary, junior high, and high school. Limit one backpack winner per family.
Greene County Museum Community Day
- When: Aug. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: Greene County Museum, 130 S. 14th St., Paragould
- Cost: Free
- Details: This event will include free food and the unveiling of a new sign at the museum. The museum will also be open for tours and walkthroughs.
Sunset Session at Craighead Forest Park
- When: Aug. 15, 6 p.m.
- Where: Bandshell at Craighead Forest Park, 4910 S. Culberhouse Road, Jonesboro
- Cost: Free
- Details: Enjoy a concert from area musicians and bands while soaking in the sunset. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.
St. Bernards Baby State
- When: Aug. 20, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: St. Bernards Auditorium, 505 E. Washington Ave., Jonesboro
- Cost: Free
- Details: This event will provide information for soon-to-be parents, including car seat and sleep safety, lactation consultations, infant care education, and specialty baby vendors. Attendees will also have the chance to win door prizes.
Bluegrass and Fried Chicken Festival
- When: Aug. 21-22
- Where: Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Ave., Mountain View
- Cost: Ticket costs depend on the number of shows one wants to see, and if one wants admission to the fried chicken buffet. More information here.
- Details: The Folk Center’s Skillet Restaurant will serve an all-you-can-eat fried chicken buffet before a night of bluegrass performances by the likes of Mountain Highway, The Gravel Yard, Mountain Heirs, Adam Fudge, and more. In addition, tickets include admission to the Craft Village, where visitors can listen to live music, craft demos, shop, and more.
Miracle Kids Annual Summer Block Party
- When: Aug. 22, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Cedar Park, Trumann
- Cost: Free
- Details: This event will have hot dogs, bounce houses, various community vendors, a petting zoo, free haircuts for kids, and more.
