Eat Pie All Through Arkansas's River Valley!

Love pie?  Arkansas has more than its share of great pie places.  No matter the part of the state you happen to be in, there’s a great pie ahead of you. And if you're close to US Highway 64 in western Arkansas, you're in for a LOT of pie.

A Somewhat Short Guide to Attending Wakarusa.

Main Stage concert lovers. (Grav Weldon)

So, you’re headed to Wakarusa. Is it your first time? You may be surprised at what you find. Far more than just a bunch of music acts playing before a crowd of campers, the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival has its own vibe, its own culture, even its own cuisine. Here’s a bit of information that you might find helpful when you go.

Weather and what to wear
This is, after all, Arkansas. We have all four seasons here. However, the season-to-season ratio changes from year to year. For instance, we just came out of one of the longest winters we've ever experienced – with snowfall at Mulberry Mountain on MAY 4TH. Unusual to say the least. Last year’s Wakarusa ranged from rather chilly on Thursday night to downright balmy Saturday afternoon and strongly stormy in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

I wonder if the leg warmers are hot.

Be prepared – for anything. Shorts are a good bet, especially paired with sunscreen. There are few limits to what you can wear, as long as you’re covering the important bits. Sarongs, halter tops, bikini tops, mesh shirts are common in the heat. Last year’s cold snap had many scrambling for something to cover the bare arms – with a lot of sheets twisted into improvised togas making an appearance. For good measure, it might be worthwhile to throw a jacket into your bag.

Shoes? Choose some you can walk in – and that you don’t mind getting dirty. Mulberry Mountain is, after all, located in the great outdoors, which means grass and mud and stones are common. Pack an extra pair or two, and plenty of socks.

If you have that covered, then perhaps you should consider costumes. Yes, costumes. There are actually themed days at Wakarusa, which can be a great chance to have some fun.

The hippies and the hipsters
When I was assigned the opportunity to attend my first Wakarusa, I was given the idea that it was a modern Woodstock. I went expecting hippies… and the images of ‘70s style earth mammas and back to the wilderness folks came to mind.

That’s not quite what I found. While yes, there were some individuals who wore tie dye and had flowers in their hair, there was an overwhelming number of individuals who could best be described as hipsters… irony-free early-adapters, trendy sorts and geeky sorts and overall mostly twenty- and thirty-somethings with cash to spend.

Dancing with abandon is common.

The juxtaposition was interesting. Seeing young men in fedoras and ties interspersed with girls dressed as Japanese animation look-alikes, guys in Utilikilts and backpacks and girls in bikinis and furry hats, and just about anyone in any sort of brightly colored clothing – a cacophony of unusuality. Everyone in the crowd wants to stand out and be different – something that seems to be a hallmark of this strongly Millenial crowd.

Tribes of Wakarusa
One distinguishing factor from traditional concert festivals – that’s strongly developed thanks to the camping element – is the culture of tribes. Sure, we've all at one point or another joined a road trip with friends to some sort of destination. This group camping experience has evolved into a way to demarcate a new social delineation.

A totem.  There's a Mario & Luigi nearby.

The tribe is a unit of three or more individuals, camping and attending together. They may have a camp flag – especially if they’re on the Main Camping plain where tents stretch out as far as the eye can see – to show them where they’re crashing. They may have a totem as well – which is best designed as anything on a stick to be carried throughout the festival by a member of the tribe. Practically, it’s a way for these groups to keep track of each other in an area with questionable cell phone service. But creatively, it’s something more – something to identify the group to others. It may be a cutout of a popular (or even better, a subculture) cartoon icon, a stuffed animal, a flag, a kite, anything. Some even change them out by day and theme, and even from day to night (night totems tend to include things that glow).

Tribes also often dress and play together – wearing everything from like fashions to thematic costumes. In many ways, this is a spill-over of the comic and science fiction convention cosplay culture. And yes, furries have been spotted, but don’t let that worry you too much.

Suit of bears.  Had to be hot.

It’s not necessary for one to be part of a tribe to enjoy the costume play. Some of the more, um, unique costumes I spotted at the 2012 event included a Native American-style get-up with three-feet feathers; ancient Celts; a guy dressed as a pink bunny, complete with knee-high pink socks and a pink sundress; adult lady “fairies” in tie dye leotards and multi-color tutus; and the man who I could best describe as wearing a “suit of bears.”

It’s a performance art festival, too
Which brings me to the Astral Gypsies. Take the costumes of the event and bump it up a notch. These are expert, master puppeteers. They’re advertised as “”Dedicated to opening minds through interactive visionary art, the Astral Gypsies' Giant Puppet Troupe presents a truly "Larger Than Life" experience!” Yeah. That starts to cover it.

Grav Weldon's shot of the Astral Gypsy's octopus.

Mantis and... fish?

What you get is a bit more than what’s on the tin. They have a tent they set up near the main stage where many of their puppets are put on display and yes, yes you can touch them. But the puppets show up everywhere… in line waiting for a grilled cheese sandwich as a mushroom, clamoring down the road as a giant praying mantis, swaying at a concert as a giant bulbous fish. Impressive during the day, at night they’re even more fantastic… take for instance the illuminated octopus animated in the crowd at the main stage, swirling and undulating over the heads of the crowd in an ever-active show bonus.

The octopus puppet serves as sunscreen during the day.

There are others. Last year’s set included a light show erected on Saturday inside a giant white globe. Painters work on canvases, on silk, on even bodies. Everyone’s part of the art.

Better than your usual festival food fare
And then there is the food. Much to my surprise, Wakarusa didn't mirror the festival routine when it came to dinner. I’m a veteran of multiple state fairs, country festivals and community events – and I assumed the usual corn dog and funnel cake routine would be followed here. I was ever so wrong, and ever so glad. Wakarusa’s food is just as varied as its clientele. Crepes and quesadillas are popular, being great hand-held food. Pizza is also popular, with every sort of topping – and, in a different turn, lots of French bread pizza as well. Stir-fry dishes, noodles, one-pot dishes… all available.

Grilled cheese, any way you want it.

Then there’s the grilled cheese sandwich. Let’s face it – after you've spent a great deal on a ticket to the festival, bought a camping pass, paid for gas and got all your gear together, saving a few bucks is a good idea. Many of the vendors offer varying degrees of the classic grilled cheese sandwich – from the plain cheese and nothing else to gourmet cheeses, bacon, meats, vegetables and just about anything in-between the two slices of bread.

There are a good number of Wakarusa food photos located here.

Low on funds? You can always bring your own food to the festival – even bring your picnic right into the concert zone itself. It’s suggested to bring a camelbak and keep it filled (don’t worry – there are plenty of water stations all over Mulberry Mountain, and Arkansas water is pretty decent). All beverages seem to start at $3, so save yourself some money and bring your own (but do try the fantastic teas, hand-squeezed lemonades and other “exotic” beverages). Just don’t bring glass bottles. They’re not allowed anywhere at Mulberry Mountain – because broken glass sucks, especially when it gets into the grass and buried.

Oh golly, the music
The music. It goes on… and on… and on. If you have trouble falling asleep if it’s not quiet, bring the best dang earplugs money can buy – because the music goes on all night long.

It starts before it starts – that is, the first jam sessions happen Wednesday night, even before official activities start. There’s a Backwoods Stage performance to skuttle on down to, if you can draw yourself out of one of the spontaneous parties that pop up all over site. The official start is Thursday late in the morning – and the music goes on until full daylight the next day… and the next. There is a quieter time, from about 7 a.m. to noon each day, when you’ll hear bits of acoustic music from musicians in the camps, but pretty much expect to be listening from the get-go.

A daytime jam in the Revival Tent.

There’s almost always someone playing – and if the main stage is in the middle of a change-out there’s other performances in the woods. It’s a steady walk from one venue to another and there’s no possible way for a single individual to hear it all – but that’s all right.

There are lots of folks who will talk about nothing but the music – and that’s fine. That means I can move on and cover other things!

Such as what to bring. Honestly, being an outdoor festival, there’s no seating. Most folks stand and watch, dance, or bring their own items to sit on. A lightweight bag chair is not a bad idea… a sheet for the ground is always handy. For this and many other reasons, you’ll see people with all sorts of backpacks. These are fine, too – but expect to have them searched. It’s all in the name of safety.

If you’re wanting to catch all of a show, though, and you’re coming in from your camping area, leave early. Lines at the gates tend to back up 30 minutes before the biggest shows – and they can take an awful long time to clear. The same goes for coming in from off-site, but I’ll address that in a bit.

The Ferris Wheel offers great views.  I'm scared of heights.

Not just for the shows
Wakarusa is very much a participation event. Yes, you can just go for the concerts, but there’s far more to do. Each morning at 8 a.m. at the Satellite Stage, there’s yoga, open to all. There are disc golf competitions, music lessons – heck, even lessons on space and time. You can fish one of the several ponds on the Mulberry Mountain property. There’s a Ferris Wheel and a waterslide. You can catch the bus down to the Mulberry River for a swim, and there you can rent a canoe or a kayak or a raft and go for a float.

And the Hula hoops. They’re everywhere. Never Hula’d? You can learn. Folks will teach you. I swear, I have never seen so many Hula hoops in my life – and never have I seen so many that are lit at night. Amazing.

Yup, anything goes.

Dang dirty hipster
All those activities, you’re going to want a shower, right? Here’s the bad news. You can purchase a shower pass or pay $10 for a shower – or you can go without. Flushies also don’t exist for campers at this event. It’s Porta-Potty time, and you should be prepared.

Yes, you can bring a camp shower. There are a lot of ways you can prepare. But know in advance that you won’t be able to enjoy the pleasures of hot water unless you pay extra – or if you've brought your RV.

That also goes for electricity. While there were RV spots with electricity available (long gone at this point), it’s not readily available. You’re camping, for goodness sake. You’ll survive.

But what about those cell phones, cameras and other items you need to have charged? Well, you do get to camp right by your tent, so get a car charger. Small generators are allowed as well. I suggest a solar charger.

Solar power’s lovely, and free after the initial purchase of the solar item. Some camps utilize solar Christmas lights and garden lights on stakes to differentiate from the other tents and to direct exhausted concertgoers back to camp in the late night hours.

Oh, it's always smart to bring your own TP.

Speaking of camping…
If you’re not used to camping, you need to refresh yourself. Make sure your tent is ready to go. Bring an extra tarp, just in case. Remember your battery operated air pump if you’re on an air mattress. Remember your clothes, sunscreen, bug spray, chair, cooler, flashlight and whatnot.

Ground fires aren’t allowed, so if you plan to cook you’ll need to bring your own fire pit, stove or grill. Be smart about it – don’t dump live coals on the ground, don’t leave anything burning when you go run off to see that favorite musical act. Use your head.

When it comes to valuables – lock them in your car. That’s just smart. Yes, most concert-goers are good folks who wouldn’t dream of going through your stuff when you’re not around, but with 20,000+ individuals you’re bound to get a bad apple or two.

Getting to site
If you’ve purchased a pass for the whole shebang, you already know that you can’t get on-site until 4 p.m. Calm your jets. Don’t set your GPS or your Garmin or your Siri to get you there right at four – you’re going to find yourself sitting on the Pig Trail for a couple of hours as other folks who thought ahead get checked through the gate. It takes time to do a quick look-through of a vehicle to ensure there’s no glass bottles and whatnot within – to do that whole ticket and wristband thing and get directions to campsites. If you absolutely MUST NOT miss a moment, you need to get to Ozark or Fayetteville early and be prepared to head over long before the four o’clock hour.

The Pig Trail? That’s Highway 23. It runs through the beautiful Ozark Mountains and gets its name from the University of Arkansas mascot, the Razorback. Used to be, more adventurous Hog fans would take Highway 23 from Little Rock to Fayetteville to bypass the traffic that would always back up along Highway 71 (this is now averted with the construction of I-540).

Better gas up. Coming from the south, there’s a number of gas stations at Ozark (even one that serves good pie). Coming from the north, your last shots are Huntsville and Fayetteville. There’s just not much around in-between, and what you’re going to find is going to be more expensive.

Closest amenities? Well, there are camp stores at Wakarusa, but if you need more than that there’s tiny Ahart’s Grocery not too far up Highway 23. There’s a decently stocked CV’s in Ozark, a full sized grocery store – and the other way there’s a Harp’s on the outskirts of Fayetteville. There’s also a small Walmart (not a Supercenter) in Ozark.

Ozark is also home to a fantastic barbecue restaurant, Rivertowne Barbecue, half a block off the town square. Arkansas Wine Country is two exits east on I-40 at Altus – and all four wineries there offer tours and tastings. Altus is also home to a great little pub called Kelt’s.

If you’re sticking around after the event, check out Dickson Street in Fayetteville – packed with bars, restaurants, book stores and jam joints, right off the U of A campus. Go get a great burger at Feltner Brothers.

If you’re coming in from the west, Fort Smith is south on I-540 – but you’re better off going in through Van Buren (where you can take advantage of the trip and try Arkansas’s largest doughnut) to get to downtown. Alma’s also a good choice – I’d suggest grabbing a Dagwood and pie at the Red Rooster Bistro.

If you’re planning your trip or need a recommendation, drop me a line at kat@tiedyetravels.com.

Burgers and Pie: A Brand New Ozark Joint Has Both.

I tend to like truck stops. They usually offer decently clean bathrooms, 24 hour service and some crazy items. And sometimes they have good restaurants, though that tends to be with the older places.

This place I’m going to tell you about is just a couple of months old. Seriously. But it tastes -- yes, I said tastes -- like it’s been around a decade.

It’s the I-40 Travel Center in Ozark -- moreso, it’s Hillbilly Hideout, the restaurant inside. It could be the next great Arkansas gem in the making.

I stopped by briefly on my way to the Wakarusa Music Festival a few months ago. It was opening weekend and the place was packed. Mind you, that’s saying something, since a couple of football fields’ worth of concrete was laid down for all the expected traffic to the place. I managed to get some iced tea and noticed there were fried pies by the register, and I made a mental note to head back over that way.

Well, I went up to the Altus Grape Festival this past weekend, and right before I hit the road to come back I decided it was worth my while to head over to this travel stop and see if those pies were any good. There were a lot of people there, but nowhere near what I had experienced before. I had my daughter Hunter along for the ride.

Now, I should let you know, I was hot and exhausted and so was she. After we had spent a good portion of the day at the Grape Festival, we had checked out the Backwoods Arts Gathering up at Mulberry Mountain -- and saw the effect the 100+ degree heat had on that event. We wanted a good meal, a cool place to sit and plenty of iced tea to soak in.

First thing I noticed when we went in is that there’s this deli bar at the end of the restaurant. At the deli bar, you can get just about everything you’d ever expected from a truck stop -- taquitos, jojo potatoes, pizza sticks, hot dogs, chicken fingers, cold sandwiches, fried chicken, fried shrimp, chicken on a stick... and then there were frog legs and hush puppies and catfish and ribs and beef brisket. So it was like a deli, a truck stop warming box and a BBQ joint all rolled into one.

And right by the register were these big eight inch long fried pies. And they were tempting. But as I said, Hunter and I were seeking our sustenance with a side order of climate control and iced tea, so we had a seat at one of the booths.

I have to say, I noticed all the waitresses had on lanyards, to which was pinned one of those blue Welcome to Arkansas pins. Watch for those when you go places. Those pins mean they’re ready to tell you all about the state. Our waitress was no different. She came over and asked if we’d been to the Grape Festival or the art gathering. When I told her both, she told us we were very ambitious. She took our drink orders and left us with a massive two-sided menu.

As I expected, one whole side of the menu was dedicated to breakfast -- omelets, waffles, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy and platters. Everything seemed pretty reasonable, with the most expensive item being an eight ounce ribeye steak with two eggs, hashbrowns, toast and jelly for $9.99. Most everything fell in the $4-6 range. There were also kid meals offered for $4.99 -- chicken strips, grilled cheese sandwich, corn dog, hot dog, hamburger or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on goldfish-shaped bread.

On the other side, it was a mish-mash of all sorts of different items. There were salads and sandwiches, soup and chili, a wide array of country style dinners such as chicken fried steak and grilled fish and open faced roast beef and pork chops. There were also a few Tex Mex items, and among the side items I was happy to see PurpleHull peas listed (though I would love to see sliced tomatoes and rice offered as well, but that’s just me being all Arkan-per-snickety). And there were desserts listed. And of course, there were burgers.

I compared a few prices and asked Hunter a few questions and we ordered. She got a chicken quesadilla and I ordered a Charlie Burger. And we sat and chilled out and enjoyed our beverages.

Our waitress returned with the chips and salsa that came with Hunter’s quesadilla. She went to town on the thick tortilla chips and homemade salsa -- a salsa that was just a little heavy on the spice for me but perfect for my girl. It was very fresh, as if it hadn’t even made it to a can, with nice pliant chunks of tomato within.

The rest of our order arrived a short time later. Hunter’s quesadilla was filled with cheese and hand-shredded chicken, which she took to quickly dunking in the salsa. Me?

Well, this is what I saw -- a big ⅔ pound patty on a bottom bun, served on a platter with the plank fries, lettuce, white onion ringlets, hamburger dill slices, tomato slices and a top bun that had been squirted with mayo, mustard and ketchup. The patty was massive. And it didn’t take me long to figure out that it was oozing cheese.

Now, the Charlie Burger is actually two patties with a slice of cheese in the middle, pressed down around the edges to create one patty. It was juicy, cheesy and hot and it was bigger than the bottom bun! And it was filling, which was kind of a detriment since I had another mission.

See, when I had entered the place, I had seen the pie case. It was full of pies, cakes and other sweet delights. It had changed my mind about having a fried pie. I needed to know about those pies. I really did. So I asked what pie was available, and was told either chocolate or coconut. Hunter made the decision for us.

And it was a good decision. The pie that came out to us was on a nice slightly salty blind-baked crust. It had a moderate amount of coconut-infused meringue, and one of the most perfectly conceived coconut custards I have ever consumed. The custard was packed with gentle flavor yet not too sweet, addictive even. Hunter insisted on having more than half of it and asked for more.

So I asked about the pies and the fried pies by the counter. Turns out they’re made by two different ladies. Ms. Janie makes the fried pies, and they’re individually wrapped to take with a traveler on the road (though I suspect that if you wanted to eat it there they’d heat it up for you). I requested a peach pie to take home once I heard it was made from local fruit.

While that was being rung up, I noticed a lady in the back working with a couple of meringue pies. When my ticket came out my waitress offered to show me what she’d been working on. I am assuming from the conversation that the good lady I saw was Mrs. Rhonda Vaughn... and the pie? It was like nothing I’d ever encountered. It took two great pies and blended them together into something undescribably heavenly.

It was this -- a cherry cream cheese meringue pie. That’s right. It was like a regular cherry cream cheese pie, except on top meringue had been piled and it had been baked together.

Well, I was already stuffed and I already had a box of leftovers and a fried pie, but I ponied up and bought a slice of that cherry cream cheese meringue pie to take home with me. And I have to tell you, when I got up the next morning I had it for breakfast and it was absolutely divine.  And I ate that peach pie for lunch... and it was marvelous, with the center all spiced and falling apart and with that great homemade flavor...

So... there’s a little more to this story. When I was editing the photos for this piece, I noticed the sign on the pie case and clutched my chest a little. On the door it listed the different regular varieties, which included not only Possum Pie but the elusive Millionaire Pie (which until now I’ve only found at pie walks and Furr’s Cafeteria). I tell you something -- I have a friend bringing me a slice of that Millionaire pie right now. And I am looking forward to trying it.

I have to tell you, this place is so new that the phone number’s not in the phone book or on most of Google. But I have it for you. Hillbilly Hideout and the I-40 Travel Center at Ozark can be reached at (479) 667-0711. It’s open 24 hours a day and is located just north of exit 35 off I-40. Give it a try.

And there's a piece on 40/29's website about how they're offering green hookups for truckers.

Awesome, Strange and Fun.

Arkansas summer festivals are a range of local foods, song lyrics and various modes of transportation.

Our home state is blessed with a plethora of strange and delightful festivals during the summer months. Most involve some element of food, either a regional fruit or vegetable just in season or a special type of preparation. Many involve bits of culture unique to the area, and quite a few are noted for their “rides.” A rundown of some of my off-beat late summer favorites.

Food:
Bountiful Arkansas Weekend. This two day festival on the grounds of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute atop Petit Jean Mountain celebrates Arkansas’ bounty by sharing with others heritage fruits and vegetables, historical farming methods and a unique Arkansas native and traditional tomato tasting. Go to learn about organic farming methods, stay for the demonstrations and to pick up seeds for your home garden. While you’re up there, catch lunch at WRI’s River Rock Grill. July 16-17. uawri.org

Altus Grape Festival. Ever feel the urge to re-enact the I Love Lucy grape stomping episode? This is where to go. The annual grape stomp is just part of the fun. Unlimited wine tastings from the area’s four wineries, the amateur winemaking competition and tours of all the local wineries are just part of the fun. If you’re of the bearded-and-bouncy sort, you might consider going out for the Bacchus look-alike contest. Take your lunch or head over to Kelt’s Pub for a refreshing pint and a corned beef sandwich while you’re there. July 30-31st at Altus City Park in, where else, Altus. altusgrapefest.com

Tontitown Grape Festival. A great place to go if you want to enjoy the culinary experience of -- fried chicken and spaghetti. No joke. This sweet little festival is one of Arkansas’ oldest, offering up a midway for kids, a fantastic book sale and of course the famed Italian (pronounced Eye-talian) spaghetti dinners made from scratch, noodles and all. There’s also grape ice cream. While you’re in the area, swing over to Springdale for more fried chicken at the (should be World Famous) AQ Chicken House. August 3-7 at the St. Joseph Festival Grounds in Tontitown. tontitowngrapefestival.com

Hope Watermelon Festival. The home of Arkansas’ largest watermelons celebrates the fruit with lawn mower races and seed spitting. In September 2005, the world’s largest melon (weighing in at 268.8 lbs.) was pulled from a field in the area, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records and returning the title of “Home of the World’s Largest Watermelon” to Hope. Check out the plaque by visiting Dos Loco Gringos in town. August 12-14 at Fair Park in Hope. hopemelonfest.com

Cave City Watermelon Festival. Hope may have the largest melons, but Cave City has the sweetest, certified by the University of Arkansas for the rich melon-perfect soil found in the area. This simple hometown festival features gospel music, community events and a free watermelon feast provided by area growers. Heading back, stop by China King Buffet, just before you get into Batesville proper. A substantially large selection of Chinese food, sushi and (inexplicably but welcome) hand scooped ice cream. Just don’t take more than what you plan to eat. August 12-14 at Cave City City Park. cavecityarkansas.info

Strange names:
Dumas Ding Dong Daddy Days. It’s always fun to hear someone on NPR try to pronounce the name of this festival. Named after the popular song written by Phil Baxter and favored by Louis Armstrong, the festival celebrates the Delta with barbecue, a Ding Dong eating contest and a moustache contest, among other things. July 22-25 in downtown Dumas. dumasar.net

Ozark Deaf Timberfest. No, the timber’s not deaf. This decade-old festival hosted by the Little Rock Association of the Deaf features lumberjack games and logging related competitions. August 13-14 at Byrds Adventure Center in Ozark. byrdsadventurecenter.com

Bikes, Trains, Automobiles and more:
Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival. The bicycle is celebrated and feted all over town with cross-country, downhill and short track races, fun rides and a film festival. It’s the largest festival of its kind in the central U.S. While you’re up there, be sure to drop by Local Flavor Café for lunch or dinner and try the crème brulee. July 16-17 all over Eureka Springs. fattirefestival.com

World Championship Cardboard Boat Races. Each year dozens of competitors use nothing more than cardboard, duct tape and paint to create boats and barges to float (and sink) on Greers Ferry Lake in this now world-famous competition. Join the masses at Sandy Beach near Heber Springs to watch and see whose boat will float the longest and who has the best sinking. Stick around for the Cardboard Boat Demolition Derby. July 31st at Sandy Beach. heber-springs.com

Mountains, Music and Motorcycles. Mountain View erupts in gasoline-powered glory with the arrival of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country. Biker games, a poker run and bike show and music all weekend long. Gotta drop by Johnny’s Pizza while you’re up there. August 20-22 all over town. yourplaceinthemountains.com

Frisco Festival. The annual festival in Rogers’ Historic District honors Arkansas’ Railroad Heritage with the Chilisalsapeno Competition, a chicken BBQ cookoff and free rides and amusements for the kids. August 27-28. friscofestival.com

VW Festival, Swap Meet and Tourcade. What more needs to be said? It’s one of the largest gatherings of Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts in the Midwest. Lots of activities for Bug-nuts. August 27-28 at Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. nwavwa.com

Championship Chuckwagon Races. For one week at the end of summer, horses and teams compete in a variety of events such as bull riding, bronc fanning and of course chuck wagon races. A sight to see. August 28-September 5, Bar Of Ranch in Clinton, chuckwagonraces.com

Brisket Like Buttah at Rivertowne BBQ in Ozark.

So I asked Twitter fans (you can be one too) on Thursday where they’d stop to eat if they were on their way to Northwest Arkansas. And I had several selections in the Fayetteville area, but only one restaurant kept coming up -- a place in Ozark called Rivertowne BBQ. I’m willing to give just about anything a try, so yeah, I found my way there.

Boy, readers, you weren’t kidding.

It was packed. I tried to go on Thursday on my way up, but I missed the window (during the week the restaurant is closed 2-4 p.m.) so I made a point of stopping on the way back. The Saturday crowd was in full force when I darkened the door around 1:20 p.m.

The kind hostess in her bright tie-dye shirt got me a booth and a drink and let the waitress take over. My waitress was polite and awesome. She saw me scanning through the menu, and even though I knew exactly what I wanted she allowed me to keep the small tome to read through for my dining pleasure. Which is obviously how I found this listing:

When she came back with my food I asked her about it, but she just smiled and said creamed possom’s pretty darn popular around there, but if I wanted something just as exciting but more solid to try out the possom dumplings in coon gravy. Maybe another time.

And here comes out my lunch -- a barbecue brisket sandwich with a side of fried okra. I love fried okra, it’s in my blood. But I have to tell you, it didn’t all get eat. I was too absorbed in the sandwich. Because, my friends, if you haven’t been to Rivertowne BBQ, you need to know… they don’t put on bacon-thin strips of brisket like you get elsewhere. You get planks -- half inch thick planks stacked three across and two deep. And the brisket is soft as buttah, no joke. This isn’t tear-it-with-your-teeth brisket. It’s poke-a-fork-at-it-and-watch-it-fall-apart brisket.

I was already mighty pleased with the brisket -- from its softness to its pretty pink smoke ring. So I decided to try the barbecue sauces on the table. Didn’t care for the Vinegar -- way too sharp for me and not sweet at all. But the Mild was sweet and lovely, and the Hot -- well, it wasn’t so much hot but spiteful, and very good. I alternated, resorting to squeezing a little on my sandwich as I ate along. That sandwich -- that I could not put down. My my.

So yes, readers, you were right. Rate me as a fan. And some day I might have to come back and find out what that creamed possom’s all about. Unless you’d like to enlighten me.

You’ll find Rivertowne BBQ at 205 South 3rd Street in Ozark -- take the first Ozark exit from here (exit 37) and keep driving until you get to the main drag of Highway 64/Commercial. It’s a block and a half past there on the right. It’s open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and then on Sunday and Monday. Call (479) 667-1808 or check out their musically enhanced website.