HOBBS STATE PARK-CONSERVATION CENTER EVENTS
Fall Festival
A host of free and fun family-orientated events will take place at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Sunday, Oct. 7. Activities will take place at both Historic Van Winkle Hollow and the Park’s visitor center. Bring the entire family to learn how some things were done in the past.
Historic Van Winkle Hollow events from 1 to 4 p.m. will include:
• Blacksmith Demonstration;
• Early Food Preservation;
• Old Timey Games;
• Music;
• Stone Toolmaking Demonstration;
• Van Winkle Historical Presentation;
• Apothecary Shoppe;
• Dutch Oven Demonstration;
• Pearling;
• Dowsing Demonstration;
• Mountain Woman (ask her about hunting wild turkeys);
• “Snake Oil” Salesman;
• Pioneer Homesteader; and
• Tall Tales Tellers
Visitor Center demonstrations from 1 to 4 p.m. will include weavers, smockers, lace makers, spinners, music, “table-top” programs, kids crafts and free ice cream. There will be a free shuttle available from the visitor center parking lot on Highway 12 that will run continuously from 1 to 4 p.m., between the visitor center and Historic Van Winkle Hollow.
Mother Nature reading times
Mother Nature herself has become a permanent fixture at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area lobby in the visitor center. Every second Saturday at 10:30 a.m. she visits the park to excite the imaginations of all the children around her. There is no cost for this activity and the length is one hour. Storytime will be followed by “hands-on” nature-craft activities. Children of all ages are welcome, however, most stories will target children 3-6 years of age. For more information, contact the park office.
Upcoming Mother Nature visit dates and reading topics are:
• Sept. 8 — Trees;
• Oct. 13 — Spiders;
• Nov. 10 — Stories the Osage Nation Tells; and
• Dec. 8 — Squirrels: Busy All Year ‘Round
Visitor Center information
The Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center contact phone number is 479-789-5000. The visitor center is located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to www.friendsofhobbs.com and www.ArkansasStateParks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea.