Tourism / Heritage

Residents ready for total eclipse

In the middle of the Neolithic period more than 5,300 years ago, mysterious tombs and carvings were erected and etched in Loughcrew, an area in County Meade in Ireland. When…

‘Excitement, momentum’ leading tourism sector forward

Tourism, the state’s second-largest economic sector, has surged since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sector stakeholders think this year may even be better. More than 500 people are…

Marshals announce inaugural baseball season schedule

The inaugural season for the Fort Smith Marshals, the baseball team in the newly formed Mid America League, will include a July 4 weekend home stand and the team has…

AG Griffin to name renovated office after the late Bob Brooks, Jr.

Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Wednesday (Feb. 21) the downtown Little Rock building to which his office will move will be renamed the Bob R. Brooks, Jr. Justice Building in…

Local recreation facilities to receive $4.34 million from Parks, Heritage and Tourism

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is awarding $4.34 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants to projects within 29 counties across the state, Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Monday (Feb….

Marshals Museum exec discusses visitor numbers, outreach efforts

Attendance at the U.S. Marshals Museum is averaging a little over 5,000 per month for its first seven months of operation, and museum officials are expanding the outreach, which includes…

New owners take the reins at historic War Eagle Mill in Arkansas

War Eagle Mill, a historic landmark in Arkansas, has a new owner. According to an announcement Friday (Feb. 16), Mark and Cristin Hall of Bentonville have taken ownership of the property…

More ideas on downtown Fort Smith connections presented to CBID

A study presented Thursday (Feb. 15) to the Fort Smith Central Improvement District (CBID) shows a collection of projects costing between $2.5 million and $3 million could help transform and…

Nominations to close Feb. 29 for 2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame

Nominations for the Division of Arkansas Heritage’s 8th annual Arkansas Food Hall of Fame will close on Feb. 29, 2024. The program recognizes Arkansas’ unique culinary heritage by celebrating the…

Hunter Doohan: Work, education and preparation key to acting career

Along with tips on audition tapes and tales of his journey from Fort Smith to Los Angeles, Southside High School graduate Hunter Doohan shared advice with aspiring actors attending his…

Arkansas Delta Byways to host awards banquet in West Memphis

The 22nd Annual Arkansas Delta Byways awards banquet will be held Friday (Feb. 16), in West Memphis. Each year, this event is held to recognize those who have outstanding tourism…

HumanitiesAR opening 2024 grant cycle with new guidelines

HumanitiesAR, an Arkansas nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for Humanities, announced new details for grants and grant cycles for 2024, offering the opportunity for nonprofit organizations and educators to…

State of the State 2024: April eclipse, cycling events to help boost Arkansas tourism in 2024

Editor’s note: The State of the State series provides reports twice a year on Arkansas’ key economic sectors. The series publishes stories to begin a year and stories in July/August…

Arkansas Tourism Ticker: 2% tourism tax revenue remains on record pace

Tourism industry jobs, the state’s 2% tourism tax and municipal hospitality taxes continue to show that Arkansas’ leisure and hospitality economy remains healthy in 2023 – especially when considering it’s…

Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center receives $2 million pledge from Mabee Foundation, Walton Family Foundation

Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in western Pulaski County announced it has been awarded a $986,537 challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation and a $1 million grant…

A-State Museum to host local African American entrepreneurs event

As part of the celebrations for Black History Month, Arkansas State University Museum will host an interactive panel discussion about the once-thriving Black business district of Jonesboro. The event will…

Expanded market, distribution promoted by Fort Smith International Film Festival

For its fourth year, the Fort Smith International Film Festival will make the move from merely showcasing and exhibiting films from around the world to being a marketplace where filmmakers…

GORP kicks off 5th outdoor recreation incubator

The Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) has launched its spring startup incubator with eight Northwest Arkansas startups, including those that rent outdoor gear and make quivers, according to a Jan….

Racing Commission reviewing rules to reopen Pope County casino process

The Arkansas Racing Commission is ready to roll the dice again. The five-member panel agreed Wednesday (Jan. 24) to review proposed rules for a new application process for a Pope…

Jonesboro sets all-time hotel tax collection record in 2023

Jonesboro set an all-time hotel tax collection record in 2023. It can be attributed to the city’s economy and Jonesboro Advertising and Promotions’ effort to promote the city to visitors…

University of Arkansas to receive $5 million from state for food science center

Tyson board chairman’s new contract includes $40 million cash incentive

Officials from Fort Smith and Poland sign Friendship Pact, mark arrival of F-35 jets

Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge slated for its 16th year