14 Excellent Arkansas Late Spring Festivals.

Searching for something to do over the next several weekends? Here are a bevy of great weekend events coming up - including some of Arkansas's best food festivals - to mark on your schedule.




April 28th-29th
Cabot Strawberry Festival. Elevating the simple strawberry to lofty levels, this popular city festival focuses on the tiny red fruit that's Arkansas's first true sign of spring.

April 29th
Jewish Food and Cultural Festival. An opportunity to try all sorts of traditional Jewish foods, paired with booths on Jewish and Israeli culture. Plenty of jewelry, gifts and such available - and lots of music to boot, all at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

April 30th
India Fest.  This annual gathering at the Little Rock River Market gives individuals a chance to sample samosa, saag aloo, curries and other delicacies while listening to great music from many areas of India. Browse vendors for exotic gifts and learn more about this vibrant region of the world.

April 30th
Traditional Pie Bake-Off and Swap. This third annual event hosted by The Root Cafe in Little Rock's SoMA District is a challenge for home cooks who want to show off their pie-making talents and to swap pie recipes.

May 5-6th
Downtown Crawfest. Arkadelphia pulls out all the stops in this annual salute to mudbugs. A massive community crawfish feast on Friday night is paired with a city festival and 5k on Saturday.

May 5-7th
Toad Suck Daze. Conway greens with anticipationn at this annual downtown music-and-fun festival, where toad races and toad cookies and anything toad is celebrated, and where the biggest question (usually answered days after the festival closes) is who will stay Stuck on a Truck the longest. Check out Toad Suck Succotash, Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick and other culinary delights.

May 6th
Hamburg Armadillo Festival. Ever seen an armadillo race? Here's your chance. This sweet community festival elevates the armored burrower to celebrity status, with a full day of fun of Ashley County fun. Be sure to enjoy a carriage ride or drop in at an ice cream social.

May 6
Mayhaw Festival. The tiny sweet-tart fruits known for the amazing pink jelly created from their essence are the star of this annual gathering in El Dorado. Sit down to a breakfast of mayhaw jelly and biscuits, bluegrass music, races and vendors.

May 6.
Cotter Trout Festival. The self-proclaimed Trout Capital of the World welcomes all to come enjoy the Old Fashion Shore Lunch - a fish dinner served on the banks of the White River, plus plenty of music and entertainment in this small north central Arkansas town.

May 13
Strawberry Homefest. This annual Bald Knob gathering brings home its native sons and daughters to celebrate strawerries, classic cars and a long standing community.

May 19-20
Crawdad Days Festival. The Ozark city of Harrison packs in amusement rides, a carnival and rubber into this event celebrating the famed red crustaceans. Drop in for the crawdad eating contest and stay for full slates of folk, rock and country concerts.

May 19-20
Atkins Picklefest. The birthplace of the fried pickle gathers the third weekend of every May to celebrate the city's famous dills and bread-and-butters and whatnot that were produced in the city from the 1940s until the 21st century. Try to beat all other comers at pickle juice drinking and pickle eating and enjoy plenty of pickle-inspired fare.

May 19-20
Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-Off. Lower Arkansas gets world notice with this annual fete celebrating the full bloom of spring - and its accompanying steak cook-off, which brings in contenders from all over to see who can sear, smoke and grill the most succulent slice of beef aroud.

May 19-21
International Greek Food Festival. The state's largest food festival continues to be this mad celebration of Greek life and culture at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Napa Valley Drive. From Friday at noon until Sunday evening, come listen to Greek music. shop for Greek wares, see fantastic dancing and dine on traditional Mediterranean dishes in this popular event. Can't stay for long? Get your Greek fix with drive-thru pick-up, or call Chef Shuttle to have a little Greek delivered into your life.

May 26-27
Nashville Dino Days. Dig a good time? This southwest Arkansas city celebrates the prehistoric as a reason to party. Known for the great "dino digs" where kids and adults can look for prizes in the sand, there are plenty of activities to enjoy - including a fishing derby and 5k.