New Music Events at OHAC – Killebrew Theater

It’s going to be a busy Spring at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center in Leslie.  Several music events are planned.  Check out the listing and times below and come out and help the Ozark Heritage Arts Center.

February 10, 2012  —  Sweet Heart Dance and Pie Auction    — Sponsored by the Searcy County Humane Society, Inc Shelter Fund      See more information here

February 11, 2012   — 2nd Saturday  – John Taylor Band

February 18, 2012  –  Red Hat Diva’s   — Gospel Group from Hot Springs

February 24, 2012 —  Marshall Rotary  — Music to be announced

February 25, 2012 —  Killebrew Theater Presents……  The Barren Hollow Boys    You don’t want to miss this performance!!!!!

March 3, 2012  – Clarence Treat  who played with the “New Christy Minstrels”

March 10, 2012 —  2nd Saturday  – “In Cahoots”

March 25, 2012  –   U.S. Army Military Band in Concert

 

 

 

WestFest – A Cowboy Celebration – September 24 – Tremendous Success!!

Thank You…….

Westfest was a tremendous success. Thank you to our corporate sponsors, those that donated their time and talents, our contestants, our dancers the Ozark Rhythm Cloggers from Mt.View, the Barren Holler Boys for their music, Thousand Hills Cowboy Church for the free lunch, Trish and her support staff for the fantastic Stick Horse Rodeo, and all the other folks and groups that helped make this a great day.

Please remember the special Thank You that goes to everyone associated with Pine Grove Trails for their willingness to host this event each year.  Talitha, for her tireless energy in fundraising, coordinating, marketing, and organizing  this event. We can not say thank you enough toFreddy and Lanae.  Not only do they let us use their place, but they spend  hours and hours working  getting  the site ready and providing us with everything we need. Without their commitment and donation WestFest could not exist!

We will be announcing in the next few months some exciting news about next years events and how the money raised will go towards helping  local kids in need. And it is not to early to mark your calendar for September 29, 2012 for the Second annual WestFest.

The board of Western Horse Heritage Foundation

WestFest is a big new event coming to North Arkansas this fall. It will be a day long happening of fun and exciting activities celebrating western heritage and providing an opportunity to help our neighbors.  Built around The Great Ozark Trail Dog & Horse Race, which has been held for the past 5 years, WestFest will feature all new events for all ages. It will be for real cowboys and cowgirls, those that like to play like they are real, and those folks that just want to watch. A simple way to describe the day would be to call it a “Western Circus”.  There will be a “main attraction event” scheduled for each hour from 10 AM until (?), while at the same time there will be large variety of “sideshow events” happening all around the grounds.  A detail schedule and list of events can be found on the schedule page. Check back to this site often as updates and new information will be posted on a weekly basis.

The Cause

WestFest is not just about having fun it is about folks working together to help each other.  In addition to the “main attraction event” local area  charitable, civic, and community organizations will be conducting  fund-raising events. Some will be raising funds through activities like a horse shoe throwing contest, the “sideshow events”, others may be just selling items in a more traditional charitable bazaar type activity.    The idea is to bring groups together with their specific followers for the purpose of raising money for their individual needs. This large group combined with others that will be present because of the entertainment provided will create a real opportunity for increased fund-raising success. Not only will more people mean more chances for giving, it will also increase the chances for getting more business and corporate participation.

The Location and Date

WestFest will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 starting at 8:00 AM,  at Pine Grove Trails just south of Leslie, Arkansas on Trace Ridge Road. They are a full service camp ground, and one of the top horseback trail riding destinations in Mid-America. You can learn more about Pine Grove Trail Rides at their web site.

 

Check out the Westfest Website for more information !

 


Schedule of Main Events – Saturday, September 24, 2011

8-10 am

Cowboy Chuck-Wagon Breakfast  – Proceeds for the V.F. W. Building in Marshall

10-Noon

“World Stick Horse Rodeo Association” National Finals Rodeo.  Open to all Kids

Noon – 1 pm

Clog Dancing  – Main Stage

Winners announced for the First Annual Frontier Heritage Art Contest

Free Cowboy Chuck-wagon supper. Sponsored by the Thousand Hills Cowboy  Church

1 – 2 pm

The Great Ozark Trail Dog and Horse Race

2 – 3 pm

Pasture Roping

3 – 4 pm

Horse Race,  Quarter Mile Straight Track

4-5 pm

The “Barn Hollow Boys  – Music and Entertainment

 

Sponsored by the Western Horse Heritage Foundation

 

Dedication of Historic St. Joe Depot

The official Grand Opening of the Historic Missouri and North Arkansas Railway Depot was held on May 28, 2011 from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM, in conjunction with the Buffalo River Spring Fling.  Official Dedication of the Depot was at  2:00 PM, with the Honorable Judge Charles Clawson serving as Master of Ceremonies.  Dedication of the Civil War Monument was at 2:30.   Be sure and visit this beautiful piece of restored Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad history.  A 2 year project of Renovation is nearing completion.   The people of St. Joe and all the people of Searcy County should be very proud of what has been accomplished.   The Depot structure itself, which sits on the original site is nearing completion.  The exterior is complete, and the interior is nearing completion.  Some items will be added later, such as the original deck that went around the depot (see the old photo below) , and additional museum items inside


Opened in 1902, the St. Joe Train Depot was a stop on the Missouri and North Arkansas (M & NA) Railway running south from Joplin, MO to Helena, AR. The 365 mile railway cut a path through the Ozark Mountain Region of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas encompassing the natural beauty, vast scenic landscape and mountainous terrain of the area. This smaller connector rail line was a lifeline between the happenings of the big cities, international commerce and the rural country lifestyle by exporting timber, minerals and local goods in exchange for supplies and products from around the United States and beyond. The M & NA was vital to the development of the culture and the economy in every respect. It helped in the creation of colorful lifestyles and history in this region. This rail line paralleled the Buffalo National River for a distance, crossed it as well as other rivers and streams along its journey. Unique vegetation and spectacular cliffs abound along this rail line.



The railway closed for regular service in 1946. It since has served the community as a church, temporary classrooms for the local school and a feed store until it became vacant and fell into disrepair. The City of St. Joe purchased the building in 2009, completed repairs to the structure and has restored it to its original colors. On the National Registry of Historic Buildings since 1991, the property recently acquired a Civil War historic marker for the local area.


The City is currently developing and furnishing the building to be used as a train museum, a local history museum and an information center. Due to limited funds, at this time, the depot is unable to be opened to the public on a regular basis. Located at 110 Highway U.S. 65 South in St. Joe, AR, viewing can be scheduled by calling the City of St. Joe, Mayor John Henley, at 870-439-2012 or Councilman Norman Morrison at 870-439-2369.


See a slide show of more photos of the renovations by clicking on a smaller picture below.


Photo of the Missouri and North Arkansas - St. Joe, Arkansas Railroad Depot nearing completion in 1902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Activities in Searcy County

Searcy County Chamber of Commerce Meeting

The Searcy County Chamber of Commerce will hold it regular Monthly Business Meeting

Thursday, June 9th ,  at 12:00 Noon, at the Searcy County Airport in Marshall, Arkansas

Please contact us if you would like to get on the Agenda for Future Meetings.

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Searcy County Humane Society

The Searcy County Humane Society meets every month on the 2nd Monday of the Month, at 6:30 PM at the Petit Jean Building on Airport Road in Marshall.

Humane Society Spay and Neuter Clinic

Next Clinic coming up in September.

For information about the September Clinic or to Volunteer call 870-448-5311

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Leslie Homecoming

June 14-18  2011

See more info here !

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Live Music at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center – Killebrew Theater in Leslie, AR

Monthly on the 2nd Saturday at 7:30 PM

“In Cahoots” Featured House Band

Admission is only $5 at the Door and Kids under 12 are Free!!

All Proceeds benefit the Heritage Arts Center so Everyone come out and support the Theater and Arts Center

 

Special Show this month on June 11th

“Thunder Crow”  will perform    –   Blues, Rock and Country

 

Special Show on Friday, June 24th at 7:30 PM

Overcoming Affliction will perform.

See their website at www.overcomingaffliction.com

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Leslie Homecoming – June 14-19

The 2011 Edition of the Leslie Homecoming is just a few days away.   This year’s events are from June 14-19.   See the complete listing of the Schedule of Events below.   And don’t forget to enter the Chamber of Commerce 5K or 10K Run on Saturday June 18.

Tuesday Night Events  — June 14, 2011

 

6:00 pm…………………………….. Homecoming Pageant

Ozark Heritage Arts Center, Leslie AR

Categories:

Baby Miss                                              0-12 months

Wee Miss                                                12-23 months

Tiny Miss                                                2-3 years

Little Miss                                              4-5 years

Junior Petite Miss                               6-7 years

Petite Miss                                             8-9 years

Young Miss                                            10-11 years

Pre-Teen Miss                                      12-13 years

Junior Teen Miss                                 14-15 years

Teen Miss                                               16-17 years

Miss Leslie Homecoming                18-21 years

Baby Mister                                          0-12 months

Tiny Mister                                            13-23 months

Little Mister                                          2-4 years

Entry Fee $20.00

Registration and practice: Monday, June 13 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center.

You can also enter the night of the pageant or call 870-504-1474!

 

 

 

Thursday Night Events — June 16, 2011

6:00 pm…………………………………… Rodeo Queen Contest

Rodeo Grounds  – Sponsored by Pine Grove Trails

Cowgirl Cutie                                          Ages 5 and Under                                            $5.00 entry fee

Petite Cowgirl Princess**                       Ages 6-8                                                         $20.00 entry fee

Cowgirl Princess**                                 Ages 9-12                                                       $20.00 entry fee

Rodeo Queen**                                        Ages 13-15                                                     $20.00 entry fee

 

Horsemanship and Western Attire Required

** Must have horse and be an experienced rider for Princess and Queen Competitions**

Parental guidance required

Winner must appear in Grand Entrances at the rodeo and in the parade on Saturday!

 

7:00 pm ……………………………… Pie Auction  –   City Park

8:00 pm to 12 a.m…………………. Street Dance  –  City Park

FEATURING:  Alan Gutherie and Friends

 

Friday Night Events  – June 17, 2011

 

6:00 pm………………………………… Bingo – Leslie School Cafeteria

7:00 pm ……………………………….. Old Time Singing –  Ozark Heritage Arts Center

8:00 pm………………………………… Rodeo – Rodeo Grounds

FEATURING:

Heath Horton Rodeo Company   — Sponsored by Leslie Team Ropers Association


Saturday Events

June 18, 2011

7:00 am–9:00 am……………………….. 5K Run/Walk –Leslie Cemetery

7:00 am–10:00 am ……………………… Pancake Breakfast –  Leslie School Cafeteria

9:00 am…………………………………….. Horseshoe Tournament

9:00 am-2:00 pm………………………… BB Gun Shoot Contest – Killebrew House Lawn

Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop # 150, prize guaranteed


9:30am-9:45 am………………………………… Turtle Race Sign Up

9:30am-9:45 am……………………………………. Baby Contest Sign Up

For Boys and Girls

Winners and/or Runners Up from the Leslie Homecoming Pageant are NOT eligible to enter!!

Contestants must sign up prior to the event – Thanks!!


9:45 am…………………………………………………. Baby Contest

10:00 am……………………………………………….. Live Music

10:00 am…………………………………………………Turtle Race

10:00 am……………………………………………….. Egg Toss

10:00 am………………………………………………… Tow Sack Race

10:00 am………………………………………………… Balloon Toss

10:00 am………………………………………………… Three Legged Race

10:00 am…………………………………………………. Watermelon Crawl

 

1:30 pm……………………………………………….. Parade Forming – Rodeo Grounds

2:00 pm. Parade through Downtown

 

 

Saturday Night Events

June 19, 2011

 

4:00 pm–6:00 pm ……………………. Alumni Banquet  –   Ozark Heritage Arts Center

8:00 pm………………………………….. Rodeo –  Rodeo Grounds

FEATURING:

Heath Horton Rodeo Company  — Sponsored by Leslie Team Ropers Association


9:00 pm to 1 a.m………………………. Dance  –   Leslie School Gym

FEATURING:

Kickin Country     — $6.00 Single   —- $10.00 couple — 12 & under free

 

Leslie Homecoming Run For Fun

The Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce will be again sponsoring the Leslie Homecoming 5K – 10K Run and Walk.  This is the 2nd year of this event.   This year’s theme is “Run For Fun”.

The run will be held on Saturday morning, June 18, 2011.

Registration for the Run will be at the Leslie Cemetery on Baker Road at 7:00 AM.  The race starts at 8:00 AM

We will have a map posted very soon of the running course.

For more information contact Clint Freeman at 870-448-2383

Please Click to download the  Registration Form

Overcoming Affliction-Killebrew Theater

The Group Overcoming Affliction will be playing at the Ozark Heritage Arts Center – Killebrew Theater on Friday June 24th at 7:30 PM.   According to their website at www.overcomingaffliction.com ,  Overcoming Affliction is a band that uses music to further God’s kingdom.  We believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ is essential to life.  Our music is geared toward spreading God’s word, as well as healing and mending the hearts and lives of people who are hurting.  All of our music on the site is original, and all are homemade recordings.  We hope that you enjoy our music.  Everything we do as a band is for God, and unto Him be all the glory.

Overcoming Affliction will have CD’s for sale at the event.   Tickets will be available at the door and will be $5.00 Each.  Mark your calendars for this event on the 24th of June and help support the Ozark Heritage Arts Center and these great local young men.

Car Show – Winners Announced

The Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a car show in association with the Buffalo River Spring Fling on Saturday, May 28, 2011,  on the Courthouse  Square in Marshall, Arkansas.   There was Food provided by the Lion’s club, and other fun including a dunking booth and more, and 50′s music on the Square all day.   Car Show Judging was held at  2:00 PM.

We didn’t have the quantity of cars we were hoping for at the show because of the large show that was going on in Springfield, MO over the weekend, but we did have some very nice quality as you can see by the photos.   We had a good crowd of spectators on the square checking out the cars and enjoying the 50′s music that was playing for most of the day.

The car owners who took home the trophies are listed below:

 

  • Farthest driven: Arnold Weaver brought his 1926 Ford T from Mississippi to attend the car show.

  • Modified Division:
    • 1st place: Jim and JoAnne Pearson for their 1955 Ford Pick-up
    • 2nd place: Bill McEntire for his 1933 Ford Pick-up
    • 3rd place: Robert Collins for his 1957 Belair four door hard top

  • Stock Division:
    • 1st place: Wayne Holsted for his 1953 serial 3100 ½ ton Pick-up
    • 2nd place: Ivan Preis for his 1965 Pontiac GTO
    • 3rd place: Phyllis McClanalian for her 1968 Chevy Camaro

  • Newest Division:
    • 1st place: Kevin Preis for his 1971 Pontiac Trans Am
    • 2nd place: Billy Burt Tyler for his 1973 Camaro
    • No 3rd place awarded

 

 

 

 

 

 

22nd North Arkansas Ancestor Fair Starts Friday

22nd Annual North Arkansas Ancestor Fair

Civil War Sesquicentennial

June 3-4, 2011   — Marshall, AR  72650

Agenda and Sessions

Friday, June 3, 2011

Session 1:  VFW Museum, Marshall, AR –  Genealogical Help   $7.50

  • 9:30 am – 10:30 am   —  Finding Confederate Ancestors  - Russell P. Baker, Arkansas History Commission, Retired
  • 11:00 am – 12:00 noon — Finding Union Ancestors – Russell P. Baker, Arkansas History Commission, Retired - DNA Surprise for some Searcy/Newton County Families
  • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm — Lunch Break

Session 2:  VFW Museum, Marshall, AR  -  Background for Civil War North Arkansas  $7.50

  • 1:00 pm-2:00 pm  – Searcy County and North Arkansas January to October 1861  - Recruiting for Dixie  - James J. Johnston
  • 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm  – North Arkansas Peace Society and the Chain Gang – November 1861 to April 1862 – James J. Johnston
  • Attend both Morning and Afternoon Sessions for $10.00
  • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm — Chain Gang Seminar  - Telling Your Chain Gang Stories   — NO CHARGE
  • 6:30 pm – - Mixer Dinner  – Cost and Site to be Announced

 

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Ancestor Fair — Searcy County Civic Center  - Zack Road  - Marshall, AR  –  ATTENDANCE IS FREE

  • 8:00 am – 9:00 am  – Providers Set Up
  • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm — Doors Open for Genealogy Swap Meet  – No Pre-registration required, sign in for your table when you set up.

 

North Arkansas Ancestor Fair  – 22 Years

The 22nd North Arkansas Ancestor Fair will be held Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th, in Marshall , AR.  This year the theme will be the Civil War Sesquicentennial, and the talks on Friday will be about what happened in 1861 in North Arkansas and about researching Confederate and Union Soldier ancestors.  Saturday will be devoted to family historians swapping information, but there will also be the opportunity to get help writing family reminiscences about the Civil War.

The North Arkansas Ancestor Fair is the longest running genealogical event of its kind in North Arkansas.  It has two sections:  on Friday, there are speakers who talk about subjects of interest to genealogists and family historians; on Saturday family genealogists are provided tables and chairs so they can visit and swap information with the public, who have com to see what information is available.  North Arkansas county genealogical and historical societies have tables to offer information, publications for sale and to attract new members.

This year, there will be enough seating for both Friday and Saturday events so that advance registration is not necessary, but early arrivals will get the best seats, or table locations.  Friday’s talks will be held at the new VFW building, located just north of the Stoplight, and Northeast of Highway 65.  Russell Baker, Arkansas History Commission-Retired and perhaps the most knowledgeable person on Arkansas research, will speak from 9:30am on “Finding Confederate and Union Ancestors”.  He will also have a fillip on results of DNA tests on a couple of Newton/Searcy county families.  Friday afternoon, James Johnston, Searcy County historian, will tell about what happened in Searcy and surrounding counties in 1861.  This will include the formation, betrayal and capture of the Peace Society and the Chain Gang that took them to Little Rock.  This will be followed by a discussion group where attendees will be invited to tell their family stories of the Chain Gang.  Friday’s lectures cost $7.50 for a half day or $10.00 for all day, which will be collected at the door.  The Discussion Group is free and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Friday night there will be a Mixer Dinner – place to be announced – where folks can mingle, visit, meet new-found kin, and get a start on Saturday’s ancestor hunting.  There is usually some musical entertainment as well.

Saturday’s Genealogical Swap Meet at the Searcy County Civic Center on Zack Road is free all day for providers who want table and chairs for their information and wares and for the public who only want to browse.  The doors are open at 8:00 am to set up for providers of information and wares, and are open at 9:00 am for the public.

The Ancestor Fair has drawn as many as 500 in years past, but recently the numbers have declined.  However, the sponsor, Searcy County Historical Society, expects the Civil War Sesquicentennial theme will attract over 200 visitors this year.

Additional information is available at the Ancestor Fair website.  www.ancestorfair.us ,or from Shirley Gray at shirleysdream@windstream.net or 870-448-3308

 

24th Annual Hillbilly Daze – Witts Springs, Arkansas

Everyone come out to the 24th Annual Hillbilly Daze in Witts Springs, Arkansas on Saturday, May 28th, 2011.

Hillbilly Daze is always on Memorial Day weekend at Witts Springs, Arkansas.

Hillbilly Daze  started as the weekend of Decoration of the local grave sites of the people that have lived in these hills for generations.  The locals started a parade with other festivities in 1988 and it has bloomed into a wonderful festival that takes place every year.

The Kids Parade begins at 10:00 A.M. and the Main Parade starts at 11:00 A.M. There is a Treasure Hunt that you HAVE to listen to the local radio station (Swap Shop on KCGS AM 960 Begining the Monday, May 23rd,  before Hillbilly Daze) for all the clues.

Immediately following the parade, lunch is served by the local Witts Springs E-H Club, Beans and Cornbread with hamburgers and hotdogs….Desserts & Sodas at the Park Pavilion.

After lunch we will have Horseshoes and Turtle Races behind the Pavilion. (All kids have to provide their own turtles.)

Community Voices holds a SILENT AUCTION from just after Noon till 2:00 PM. If you would have anything to donate to the auction please call Nancy @ 870-496-2239.

At 2:00 P.M. there is a Stick Horse Rodeo on the grassy area at the church just across the road from the pavilion.

At 5:30 P.M. the Witts Springs Volunteer Fire Department has a wonderful FISH FRY with catfish,chicken strips,Jojos, hushpuppies, baked beans & coleslaw at the Pavilion.  Musicians all come out and jam and local crafters will have booths during the day.

Everyone is encouraged to enter the Parade….there are CASH Prizes and all old cars, ATV’s, Horses, Floats, Bikes, Wagons, and Marching Groups are all WELCOME!!

COME BACK TO NATURE AND ENJOY HILLBILLY DAZE AT WITTS SPRINGS, ARKANSAS!!   OUR slogan is “IT JUST KEEPS GETTIN FUNNER”     This is our 24th Year!!


Map of  Witts Springs Location