Mulberry area to be busy in September

story by Connie Las Schneider

The end of summer signals a resurgence of activities on the Pig Trail and Mulberry River area. Traffic increases as students, football fans and motorcyclists travel to and from Fayetteville. ATV’s, horses and hikers take to the trails again and people stuck to their air-conditioners venture outside without fear of sun-stroke.

While the water level of the Mulberry River is too low for floating and fish hide in hard to reach holes, you can still play in the shallow waters and scattered pools. If you prefer to keep your powder dry, try hiking along the Ozark Highland Trail or camping at one of several sites along the river.

MULBERRY-AREA EVENTS
• Parades, Pageants and Ponies
Sept. 10-17 is the 90th Annual Crawford County Fair.

This year’s activities include a parade, carnival, pageants, live entertainment, food booths, commercial and livestock exhibits, 4-H livestock auction, a pet show, a kid’s rodeo, a firefighting demonstration and an Equine Expo on Saturday (Sept. 10).

“We expect good weather and a large crowd so bring a lawn chair,” said Fair Manager Tommy Meadors.

For budget watchers, Wednesday is free admission with a canned food item with a current, (not expired) expiration date.

"On Wednesday night we’ve got a gospel group from Branson, and 30-40 entries for the Little Miss Princess on Friday. On Saturday, Miss Crawford County will be crowned and Frog Bayou Boys, a popular local blue grass group, will perform,” Meadors said.

• Rods, Ribs and Bluegrass
Sept. 17 is the 9th Annual Rods and Ribs on the Square in downtown Ozark. The classic and antique car and truck show features tricked-out rides, food by Rivertowne BBQ, live music, awards and more.

After the car show, the 8th annual Blue Grass in the Park at East End Park in Ozark is set for Sept. 24, featuring music by local blue grass royalty. The music starts at 6 p.m. It is a free event, but bring along a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Refreshments will be available.

• Three- and Two-Wheel Racing
The Beech Grove Bandit Harescramble at Byrd’s Adventure Center is set for Sept. 24-25. Contestants will race for points in the Arkansas Harescramble Championship Series (AHSCS) in both ATV and motocross class events.

Riding ATVs and other motorized vehicles is one of the fastest growing recreational uses in our national forests, according to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Recreation.

Although first developed for farm use, ATV’s soon became popular for hunting and recreation purposes because they could navigate terrain not accessible by other vehicles, according to Larry Edwards, owner/manager at Westark Yamaha in Fort Smith.

While ATV’s can go a lot of places and do a lot of things, they aren’t toys, and safety concerns are an important consideration when operating an ATV, said Edwards, who suggests riders go to the ATV Safety Institute website where “Golden Rules” safety tips are provided.

Consumer Product Safety Commission data show that 92% of all ATV-related fatalities are the result of warned-against behaviors, (not following the Golden Rules) and that nearly 90% of youth ATV-related injuries occur when a youth is operating an adult-sized ATV.

Environmental safety and protection through responsible use of off road vehicles is equally important and the U.S. Forest Service is engaged in the Travel Management Process to restrict off-road motorized travel to approved trails and roads.

“Off Highway Vehicle operators have over 1,200 miles of roads and trails that are designated for their use, including some multiple use trails,” said Tracy Farley, public affairs team leader for the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. “There are four multiple use trail systems on the forest – Mill Creek, Huckleberry Mountain, Moccasin Gap and Brock Creek — that are open to hikers, horse riders, mountain bikers, and Off Highway Vehicle operators. When planning an excursion for one of these trails, please remember to share the trail and be aware of others recreating on the trail with you.”

Not all groups agree with some of the Forest Service actions.

“It is imperative that we continue to engage agencies and the Congress, not only to push back against unnecessary closures, but also to make sure that decision-makers better understand that there are millions of motorized enthusiasts who responsibly recreate on our public lands,” Larry Smith, executive director of Americans for Responsible Recreational Access, noted in an article for the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.

• Bikes, Blues and BBQ Support
With hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists expected to overflow Fayetteville during Bikes Blues and BBQ between Sept. 28 and Oct. 1, Mulberry Mountain Event Center will provide lodging and camping facilities for those who prefer to sleep away from the maddening crowds.

If your preferred mode of horse power comes with a mane and tail, Mulberry Mountain is a year-round destination for horse camping with stable facilities on site. Bordering the Ozark National Forest, the Mulberry River and the Pig Trail, the center has trails accessible to the Ozark National Forest Mill Creek Trail, the waterfalls on Mountain Creek, and the Mulberry River.

“Horse riders and hikers have the most opportunities for recreational access on the forest,” said Farley, with the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. “Horses can go basically anywhere on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, with the exception of the Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail, that is designated for hiking only.”

Mill Creek Trail, an approved National Forest Service trail near Mulberry Mountain, is a popular destination. According to the USDA National Forest Service website, the Mill Creek Trail leads the rider through remote areas of the Ozark National Forest and features spectacular mountainous terrain, scenic views, lush upland hardwood forests, unique rock outcrops and clear mountain streams. The main trail and inside loops are connected to accommodate riders who want to vary the length of their trips. The Trail is gravel or unsurfaced and is made of rough and rocky terrain. The difficulty varies from easy to very difficult.

• ByrdFest 3
September ends musically with ByrdFest 3, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. The festival has proven to be a popular weekend of music and camping on the Mulberry River for festival goers. On tap to play Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag featuring Melvin Seals from the Jerry Garcia Band; Pink Floyd tribute band Think Floyd USA; and Phish tribute band Freezer.