Memorial Day weekend has plenty to offer

Memorial Day weekend is expected to kick off what Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison says will likely be “the biggest summer we’ve ever had.”

One of the biggest events, Arrison said, will be the induction of country music star Buddy Jewell into the Arkansas Walk of Fame followed by a concert on Friday.

“The induction into the Walk of Fame at 5 p.m., and then the concert at 7 p.m.,” he said. “It’ll be fun. It’s a special Bridge Street LIVE is what it is. Since he was in town we thought it’d be great if he could do a show.”

Arrison said Jewell’s family will also be in attendance, including his daughter, Lacey, who was the inspiration for his hit song “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song).”

There will also be an induction ceremony for five additional Arkansans into the Walk of Fame Saturday at 11 a.m. at The Vapors, 316 Park Avenue, including civil rights icon Daisy Gatson Bates, professional wrestler BoBo Brazil, World War I aviator Capt. Field E. Kindley, fighter Lafayette Lawson, and aviation pioneer James McDonnell.

Sunday will feature the annual Memorial Day fireworks display at dark on Lake Hamilton near the DoubleTree by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel, and the weekend’s free events will culminate with the Hot Springs Concert Band performing patriotic music at 3 p.m. Monday in Whittington Park.

“If you’ve never been to that Whittington Park concert, it’s great,” Arrison said. “We used to sponsor the concert band. They play all the patriotic songs — John Philip Sousa, you name it. It’s like you’re in Boston (for the July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular). They’ve got like 70 people in that band, and it’s under the trees and the shade.”

There are also several ticketed events happening during the weekend including Old Crow Medicine Show at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort on Friday, Liverpool Legends at The Vapors on Friday and Saturday, and the Ouachita Highland Games at Cedar Glades Park.

“After three years of curtailed entertainment opportunities because of the global pandemic, Hot Springs is back with a bang this Memorial Day weekend,” Arrison said. “It’s not a cliché to say that there is something for everyone to enjoy in the city this year.”