The Aviation Cadet Museum: A Hidden Gem in Eureka Springs

The Aviation Cadet Museum

Whether your interests lie in history, military, or flight, you’ll find plenty to interest you at the Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs, AR. 

This unique attraction stands as a testament to the courageous people who served as aviation cadets and is dedicated to preserving the rich history and legacy of these unsung heroes.

The Aviation Cadet Program, which operated from 1917 to 1961, provided  rigorous training. It prepared young men to become pilots, navigators, and bombardiers in the U.S. Army Air Forces and later the U.S. Air Force.

The program’s graduates played pivotal roles in World War II, the Korean War, and beyond. Despite their significant contributions, the stories of these cadets often remain in the shadows.

Now, thanks to former aviation cadet Errol Severe, who established the museum, their stories can be told.

Visiting The Aviation Cadet Museum

The museum is located at 1 County Road 2073 in Eureka Springs, AR. This is about a 30 minute, scenic drive from the Beaver Lake cabins and suites at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Museum exhibits are meticulously curated and feature a wealth of artifacts. These include uniforms, flight gear, photographs, and personal mementos donated by former cadets and their families. Each item tells a story of bravery, sacrifice, and dedication.

Informative and interactive displays allow a deeper understanding of the rigorous training conditions that trainees endured. One standout exhibit is the comprehensive timeline of the Aviation Cadet program, providing a detailed overview of its evolution and impact.

The museum’s collection of restored aircraft is one of its biggest attractions. These include a Republic F-105 Thunderchief supersonic fighter-bomber, an F-100 Super Sabre, a supersonic Northrop F-5, a Navy T-34 Mentor, and a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star.

You’ll also see an AeroBall Simulation Cabinet.  This one-of-a-kind, immersive flight simulator was created by John Barnes of Barnes & Noble Bookstores for NASA and the Space Camp program. There’s also a Convair T-29 “flying classroom” with cockpit and navigation controls that you can try. Both of these displays are the only ones of their type in the world.

An Important Legacy

The Aviation Cadet Museum is not just a repository of artifacts; it is a place of education and inspiration. Guided tours, educational programs, and special events make it a valuable resource for all. The dedicated staff and volunteers are passionate about sharing the cadets’ stories and ensuring their legacy lives on. An onsite memorial honors the sacrifices of fallen cadets.

Beyond its historical significance, the museum is set in the picturesque Ozark Mountains, providing a serene and reflective environment. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the area while exploring the rich heritage of the aviation cadets.

Spend a few hours exploring the museum’s many displays, then it’s just a quick, scenic drive back to the comforts of your accommodations at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Visit  www.aviationcadet.org for more information. You can also find the museum on Facebook.

Take to the Skies at Ozark Mountain Ziplines

Ozark Mountain Ziplines

Looking for a little high-flying adventure during your Beaver Lake getaway? Ozark Mountain Ziplines offers just that and more and is only 15 minutes away from Sugar Ridge Resort!

There’s no end to the ways you can enjoy yourself in the Beaver Lake area. Hiking, biking, caves, theater, shopping, dining, wineries, music, and more. Ziplining is one outdoor option that is guaranteed to get your blood flowing!

Those who’ve had the experience already know but, if never ridden a zipline, you’re in for quite a treat. The activity combines outdoor adventure with the fun of an amusement ride and can make you feel as if you’re flying like a bird.

Ozark Mountain Ziplines

Ozark Mountain Ziplines  (OMZ) is located on 66 forested acres at 208 West Van Buren, in Eureka Springs, AR. As we mention above, this is just a little over 10 minutes from the Beaver Lake cabins and suites at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Activities include a zipline course, on-site e-bike trails and rentals, and gem panning.

OMZ’s zipline course consists of 10 separate cables and a swinging bridge, stretching over 1.5 miles between the treetops. No man-made towers here! Helmeted zipliners safely glide from point to point along the cables, enjoying forested views from as high as 250′ off the ground. Choose from the full, two-hour canopy tour or the express, 40 minute tour.

e-mountain biking

Visitors can also rent e-mountain bikes to explore the center’s two-mile loop trail. While you still need to pedal, the e-bikes make getting over the rugged and bumpy hills that much easier. The trail includes streams, bridges, unique rock formations, and zipliners soaring overhead. There’s even a picnic area to stop, eat, and take in the scenery.

You can also pan for gems at OMZ’s Ozark Mountain Mining Company. Panners pay for a bag of “mining rough” to put through an authentic mining sluice. This washes the sand and dirt away to reveal what is hidden within. What treasures will you find? A fun-filled, all-ages activity and lesson in both history and geology.

Spend a few hours zipping from tree to tree, riding the trails, and panning for gems, then it’s just a short, scenic drive back to your comfy, lakeside cabin or suite at Sugar Ridge Resort. The makings of a perfect day!

Visit www.ziplineeurekasprings.com for hours, reservations, and more information. You can also find OMZ on Facebook.

Explore Roaring River State Park

Roaring River Spring
“Roaring River Spring” by Jeff Weese is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Those looking for a truly unique outdoor attraction will enjoy a visit to Missouri’s Roaring River State Park. Best of all, this popular destination is less than a half hour’s drive from the Beaver Lake cabins and suites of Sugar Ridge Resort!

You could easily spend a busy week in the Eureka Springs area and still not experience all there is to see and do here. Between all the local festivals, shopping, entertainment, history, and natural attractions, there’s never a need to stray too far afield.

Eureka Springs isn’t the only interesting place in the area, however. The entire region is loaded with fun things to do and see! Roaring River State Park is a great example of what we’re talking about.

The park is in a deep, narrow, river valley, carved out over the centuries by the Roaring River. In fact, one of the park’s most fascinating features is that it’s home to the source of the Roaring River!

Not only is Roaring River one of Missouri’s most popular state parks, it’s only a scenic, 25 minute drive away!

Roaring River State Park

This fantastic State Park can be found at 12716 Farm Road 2239 in Cassville, Missouri, only ten minutes or so past the Missouri/Arkansas border.

Roaring River rainbow trout

Roaring River Spring, located beneath a high limestone cliff, produces 20+ million gallons of water a day, on average. The water flows out into a deep blue pool that, while only 10 feet across, has been explored to a depth of 223 feet!

Another, smaller spring, located at the top of the cliff, cascades down into the main pool below. The water flows out of the deep pool, through a fish hatchery, then out to form the Roaring River. Fascinating!

As you can imagine, with the hatchery right there, fishing at the park is excellent. The waters offer year ’round, rainbow trout fishing but anyone 16 years of age or older will need a Missouri fishing permit to wet a line. Many prefer to simply watch and feed the many trout found swimming in the deep blue of the spring pool.

Roaring River State Park also offers 7 hiking trails. Trails that explore the 4,294 acre park, including hardwood forests, small streams, and strange geological formations.

Roaring River State Park Dam and Spillway
“Roaring River State Park Dam and Spillway” by Keith Snyder is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Other park features include a historic CCC and WPA structures, the Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center, a park store, restaurant, picnic tables, and more.

Visit the park website for more information.

Spend the day exploring the park, then it’s a just a a short and scenic drive back to your Beaver Lake cabin or suite at Sugar Ridge Resort. A great way to spend a vacation day!

The Great Passion Play 2024 Season

The Great Passion Play, Eureka Springs AR

Eureka Springs’ Great Passion Play theater and theme park opened in 1968 and has only become more famous with every passing year. The attraction is home to the towering Christ of the Ozarks monument, tours of the “Holy Land,” and a 4,000 seat outdoor amphitheater presenting stunning reenactments of  “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

The Eureka Springs area is home to many standout attractions. For Christians, however, few can compete with The Great Passion Play. This amazing, Christian theme park was the brainchild of Gerald L. K. Smith. Smith, a conservative politician, retired to Eureka Springs in the 1960’s. Of course, his idea of retirement was a much more active pursuit than most!

Smith’s passion for spreading the word of the gospel was mighty. He proved this with his first big project: the seven story Christ of the Ozarks on the peak of Magnetic Mountain.  Not content to stop there, Smith began formulating plans for the Passion Play park during the statue’s construction.

Best of all, the park is only a half hour’s drive from the Beaver Lake cabins and suites of Sugar Ridge Resort!

Attractions at the Park

Christ of the Ozarks

The Great Passion Play theme park offers a great number of Christian-themed attractions. The most famous is The Great Passion Play itself: an hour-and-forty-five minute reenactment of Christ’s last week of mortal life. This thrilling epic drama is staged on a highly detailed, multi-level set featuring special effects, live animals, and a cast of 170 actors. All before a massive, a 4,000 seat outdoor amphitheater. Performances occur several times a week each month, May to October, with special performances around Easter and Christmas.

Beyond the live performances of The Passion Play are many family-friendly, theme park attractions. Popular experiences like the Holy Land Tour, where you can experience scenes and meet characters from biblical history first-hand. Visit the Bible Museum to see more than 6,000 different Bibles ​in 625 languages.

The Sacred Arts Center is home to more than 1,000 works of art, some of them going all of the way back to the ninth century! There are also special presentations to attend, a biblical marketplace to browse, and dining in The Great Hall Buffet.

Those looking to stretch their legs will enjoy the 18 miles of mountain biking, hiking, and trail running trails, designed for . One trail even leads to the Christ of the Ozarks monument, though you can also reach it by car. The 67 foot tall monument is especially striking at night, fully lit beneath a twinkling canopy of stars.

2024 Performances at The Great Passion Play

The Great Passion Play, Eureka Springs AR

The Passion Play’s 2024 season runs from Memorial Day Weekend through November 2nd, 2024. Performances are on Tuesday, Fridays, and Saturdays in June, July, and the first two Tuesdays of August. September and October performances are on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with special performances on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend Sundays.

The Passion Play theme park and most attractions are open 9am to 5pm year-round, except Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. ​The Christ of the Ozarks and the park’s trails are open 365 days a year, from sunrise to an hour after sunset.

Visit the park website for more details. You can also find the park on Facebook.

Spend as much time as you like at the park, knowing it’s just a short and scenic drive back to the comforts of your Beaver Lake cabin or suite at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Visit Onyx Cave Park – Arkansas’ Oldest Show Cave

Onyx Cave Park

The Eureka Springs area is home to a wide number of rare, unique, and historical attractions, including Onyx Cave, Arkansas’ oldest show cave. In fact, Onyx Cave Park is only a half-hour’s scenic drive from the Beaver Lake cabins of Sugar Ridge Resort!

There’s no end to the fun you can get up to here at Beaver Lake, Arkansas. Sugar Ridge Resort is perched high above Beaver Lake for breathtaking, 180 degree views. Visitors come to enjoy fishing, scenic drives, boating, hikes, and many other outdoor activities.

We’re also just next door to Eureka Springs and its cornucopia of activities, events, and attractions. Must-see destinations and happenings like Blue Spring Heritage Center, Christ of the Ozarks, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, the Original Ozark Folk Festival, War Eagle Craft Fair, Eureka Gras, and so much more.

One type of attraction that you can find all over the area is caves. Arkansas is riddled with fascinating caves that you can visit and tour.  As I mentioned above, the area is home to Arkansas’ oldest show cave: Onyx Cave.

Onyx Cave first opened to the public in 1893, making the attraction over 130 years old in 2024.

Show caves were not always as well understood, respected, or protected as they are now. In the early days, visitors didn’t think twice about taking a souvenir home with them. Consequently, Onyx shows a lot of past wear and tear. Why, the cave even had scenes from a movie shot in it: “It’s Alive,” a 1969 B-Movie thriller. Despite this fact, Onyx Cave still has plenty to reveal to those willing to explore it.

The cave gets its name from the many weird and fascinating flowstone formations found within. Flowstone, once commonly referred to as “cave onyx,”  is a smooth, sheet-like deposit of calcite found in limestone caves. It forms over thousands of years, deposited by flowing water and often resembling the flow that deposited it.

Onyx Cave Park

Visitors to the park can enjoy a self-guided, 30 minute audio tour of the cave. Paths in the cave are smooth and level, with steps and handrails where necessary. You’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, and lots of flowstone in chambers with names like the Witches Fireplace and the Friendly Dragon.

The audio guide will direct your attention to notable cave features and provide other interesting facts about the cave’s history, geology, and wildlife. You may even be luck enough to see a bat, salamander, or other natural cave denizen. Fascinating – but don’t forget an extra layer! Onyx Cave’s temperature stays around 57° F (13.8° C) all year ’round, no matter the season or weather.

Beyond the cave tour, park visitors may also enjoy semi-precious gem-panning, axe-throwing, and a host of unique items for sale in the gift shop. They even have snow cones, the perfect treat on a hot day. Yum!

Onyx Cave is located in Onyx Cave Park at 338 Onyx Cave Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Visit the cave website for seasonal hours and other information. You can also visit the cave on Facebook.

Spend your day out exploring the natural wonders of the Eureka Springs area, then head back to the supreme comfort of your Beaver Lake cabins and suites at Sugar Ridge Resort. Who could ask for more?

Experience the 2024 Solar Eclipse on Beaver Lake

2024 Solar Eclipse path of totality over North America

Make your 2024 Solar Eclipse experience even more spectacular with 180 degree views over the Ozarks, here on the shores of Beaver Lake, at Sugar Ridge Resort.

As you likely already know, there will be a total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, visible diagonally across the US, from Texas to Maine, including a large swath of Arkansas. Though our portion of Northern Arkansas is not directly under eclipse, we’re just next door, so can still expect a fantastic show.

Partial and total solar eclipses aren’t actually all that rare. In fact, there’s one visible somewhere on the planet just about every 18 months.  What makes them seem so rare is that an eclipse’s “path of totality,” the band of darkness it creates, is actually fairly narrow. If you’re not under that “path of totality,” you see only a partial eclipse – or even nothing at all if you’re too far away.

As I say above, Beaver Lake is not directly under the path of totality, so what we’ll see is a partial eclipse – still an amazing natural show to experience over the lake! Especially with the 180 degree views available from our Beaver Lake, AR cabins and suites.

2024 Solar Eclipse Over Beaver Lake

2024 Solar Eclipse Over Beaver Lake

Solar eclipse totalities, when the moon completely obscures all but the sun’s corona, can last from 10 seconds to nearly 7 and a half minutes. Here in northern Arkansas, the 2024 solar eclipse totality will last as long as 4 minutes.

On Beaver Lake, we can expect partial coverage of the sun to begin on April 8th, 2024, at around 12:37pm. The eclipse peaks at about 1:54pm, and everything will be back to normal by around 3:15pm. That’s nearly three hours of out of this world, natural phenomenon to enjoy!

They say that 180,000 eclipse watchers are coming to Arkansas for this historic, astronomical event. Most, of course, will head deeper into the state to enjoy the full path of totality. For those unable to find accommodations inside the path of totality, or maybe looking for a less crowded, lakeside experience, we suggest a stay at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Not only are our Eureka Springs cabins and suites located high above Beaver Lake with 180 degree views of the surrounding Ozarks but Eureka Springs is just next door. Consequently, our guests can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, scenic drives, stunning sunsets, shopping, dining, festivals, theater, and more!

So go ahead and book your stay at Sugar Ridge Resort for the 2024 Solar Eclipse over Beaver Lake – but do it fast before we’re all booked up!

Learn more about the upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse over Arkansas at www.greatamericaneclipse.com.

Fishing Beaver Lake Arkansas

Fishing Beaver Lake Arkansas

Anglers staying at Sugar Ridge Resort will be happy to know that Beaver Lake is a popular fishing spot. The 28,000+ acre lake is home to a wide variety of fish, with boat ramps, marinas, gear rentals, guides, and more. Read on to learn more about fishing Beaver Lake, Arkansas.

With Eureka Springs so close nearby and the beauty of Beaver Lake at your feet, there’s no end to the fun you can have during your stay at Sugar Ridge Resort. This is especially true if your idea of fun includes casting a line into the water.

Beaver Lake is an angler’s paradise with a wide variety of fish to go after. Black bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, redear sunfish, blue catfish, bream, and many others.

The White River is also nearby with its healthy stock of brown and rainbow trout; the perfect fly-fishng spot.

In fact, Beaver Lake is a favorite destrination for FLW tournaments and several 40-pound-plus state-record stripers have been pulled from these waters.

Fishing Beaver Lake Arkansas

Fishing Beaver Lake by boat

With 487 miles of shoreline and a variety of outfitters and guides to choose from, fishing Beaver Lake, Arkansas can take a variety of forms.

First thing’s first, however: you’re going to need a valid Arkansas fishing license and knowledge of the Beaver Lake fishing rules and regulations.

Next up is gear. If you didn’t bring your own, you’ll find a number of providers around the lake.  The Beaver Dam Store is just five minutes from Sugar Ridge Resort with a good fly and tackle shop, as well as fishing guides.

Those hoping to fish from the surface of the lake will discover a public access boat ramp just one mile from the resort. You say you didn’t bring a boat? No problem! Beaver Lake is home to a numerous boat rentals, including those at nearby Starkey Marina.

There’s no bad season for fishing at Beaver Lake.  In fact, you can catch fish here all year long.

fly-fishing the White River near Beaver Lake
Fly-fishing for trout in the nearby White River.

Spring and fall are the best times for bass fishing because of that’s the time of their pre-spawn and spawn. Early spring and winter are some of the best times for striper, while walleye are best in spring or fall. Summer sees most folks going after catfish, though night-time striper fishing is also popular. Fall sees very healthy populations of striped and hybrid striped bass. Crappie are very plentiful and can be caught all year long.

As with all bodies of water, some parts of Beaver Lake are better than others for finding fish. Creek mouths are some of the best areas for striper and hybrid fishing, especially in summer. The flats near where the White River and War Eagle join Beaver Lake is a prime hot spot.

View up-to-date Beaver Lake fishing reports to discover current hot spots. You may also want to consider hiring a fishing guide or charter, which we would be happy to recommended for you.

Whatever tack you take, you can’t beat fishing Beaver Lake, Arkansas – and Sugar Ridge Resort is here to help!

At Year’s End – 2023 At Our Eureka Springs Cabins on Beaver Lake

Sugar Ridge Resort Eureka Springs cabins on Beaver Lake

Can you believe we’re almost to the end of the year? New Years’ Eve is just weeks away and we’re left wondering where the time has gone. 2023 was another great year at Eureka Springs cabins on Beaver Lake, filled with wonderful guests and lots of warm memories.

We feel so lucky to be on the shores of Beaver Lake and absolutely love hosting guests at Sugar Ridge Resort. Sharing the area and this special part of the world with others truly is its own reward.

History buffs, art fans, outdoor enthusiasts, music-lovers, shoppers, foodies, and everyone else will find plenty see and do here. The Eureka Springs area is home to an endless variety of attractions. Must-see destinations like Thorncrown Chapel, Cosmic Cavern, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Christ of the Ozarks, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and so much more.

Eureka Springs active arts community makes sure the event calendar is always full, too. Don’t miss out on popular events like the Original Ozark Folk Festival, War Eagle Craft Fair, Eureka Gras, Ozark Mountain Music Festival, Diversity Weekends, Christmas Parade of Lights, and many others. There’s always something happening in Eureka Springs, AR!

And let’s not forget the natural beauty of Beaver Lake.

The location of our resort, perched high above the lake, provides breathtaking, 180 degree views of the Ozarks and Beaver Lake. We’re also surrounded by endless opportunities for fishing, scenic drives, boating, hikes, and other fun, outdoor activities. You needn’t go anywhere else at all!

After a year of providing accommodation services, nothing is as rewarding as the lovely comments and reviews we receive from our guests. We wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for you, so knowing our efforts have had a positive effect puts a real cherry on top of it all.

2023 At Our Eureka Springs Cabins

Gouri – 5/5
November 2023

My wife always wanted the cabin experience. We stayed here for our honeymoon. It was perfect. The view of the lake was spectacular. The cabin was luxurious and spacious. The furnishings were so comfortable and charming. From morning coffee looking at the fog rise above the lake, to playing the guitar by a roaring fire, to sitting in the hot tub looking out at the stars. And the staff are so friendly and helpful. A perfect stay.

Eureka Springs cabins at Beaver Lake

Andrew D – 5/5
October 2023

Owners are fantastic hosts. We stayed in cabin 6 and it was an exceptional experience. The cabin has everything we could have asked for and the views are incredible! We will absolutely come back and recommend it to everyone.

Andrew Epp – 5/5
September 2023

Honeymoon Suite with my wife for our 7th anniversary. Everything was amazing. The location. The atmosphere. The accommodations. The view. The price. The privacy. The service. The layout of the cabin. It was all so perfect. Couldn’t be happier with this place. Will definitely go again, and I will recommend this to everyone.

Cynthia Wilson – 5/5
June 2023

A paradise overlooking Beaver Lake! The room as cozy and clean and the bed comfy yet sturdy. The jacuzzi tub is a definite bonus. It is a bit outside of town and the road is windy and steep in places but it’s definitely worth checking out of you want a quieter night time experience.

Jerry – 5/5
May 2023

Awesome resort overlooking beaver lake. Rustic cabins with modern amenities staff takes very good care of guests and the property everything you need to relax and have a good time at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Sugar Ridge Resort Winter Special & Gift Certificates

Break in the new year with a relaxing getaway to Beaver Lake and Eureka Springs. Our 2+1 Free Winter Special allows you to enjoy a longer, more laid-back winter getaway, while saving. How?

Book your stay for any 2 nights at our Beaver Lake resort and get a 3rd night for free! Rushing to relax is counterproductive. Why not take some extra time to achieve true relaxation? Sugar Ridge Resort makes it easy by giving you that third night on the house!

Sugar Ridge Resort gift certificates

Best of all, this special is available any 3 days of the week. Take off early for the weekend, extend the weekend, or enjoy a lengthier midweek stay. It’s your choice. Now THAT is relaxing!

The 2+1 Free Winter Special is available January 4th through February 8th, 2024. Book your New Years’ getaway at Sugar Ridge Resort today!

Wanting to gift someone else with a stay at our Eureka Springs cabins on Beaver Lake? You can, with Sugar Ridge Resort gift certificates!

Sugar Ridge Resort gift certificates make an excellent gift. They have no set amount, can be used for almost anything at the Resort, and are good for up to five years from date of issue. Best of all, they’re very easy to purchase. Simply fill out the form, make your payment, and you’re done. Instant Eureka Springs vacay!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sugar Ridge Resort!

Get Set for Ozark Mountain Music Festival 2024

Get Set for Ozark Mountain Music Festival 2024

Gear up for the 10th annual Ozark Mountain Music Festival, affectionately known as OzMoMu! Experience four days of live music at the historic Basin Park Hotel in downtown Eureka Springs. January 18th to the 21st, 2024.

OzMoMu is unmatched, combining lively American roots music on multiple indoor stages with a variety of fun, daily activities. Attendees can enjoy theme nights, whiskey tastings, yoga & mimosas, ice skating, hatchet throwing, macrame, tie-dyeing, and more.

Ozark Mountain Music Festival is a winter event, so held indoors, but is otherwise just like a top-notch, multi-band, outdoor music event. One of the festival’s highlights is its lack of a backstage. Both bands and the audience share the same space, creating a warm intimacy that sets this festival apart.

OzMoMu 2024 begins Thursday night, January 18th. Don’t miss the Late-Night Jam at nearby Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar on both Friday and Saturday nights.

The festival venue, the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, sits in the heart of Eureka Springs, surrounded by dining and shopping options, all within easy walking distance. Better yet, downtown Eureka Springs is less than a half hour’s drive from your Beaver Lake accommodations at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Spend the day enjoying the festival and exploring Eureka Springs, then it’s a quick and scenic drive back to your Beaver Lake cabin or suite. A grand adventure!

2024 Ozark Mountain Music Festival Lineup

OzMoMu 2024 concert poster

Ozark Mountain Music Festival 2024 runs from Thursday, January 18th, to Sunday, January 21st, 2024

The festival is held at the Basin Park Hotel, located at 12 Spring Street, in downtown Eureka Springs, AR 72632.

This year’s festival lineup boasts:

  • Pixie and the Partygrass Boys
  • Pert Near Sandstone
  • Kyle Tuttle (Artist At Large)
  • Handmade Moments
  • Stillhouse Junkies
  • 3 Penny Acre
  • Chucky Waggs & The Company of Raggs
  • Reverend Hylton
  • John Depew
  • Goldpine
  • March To August
  • … and many more TBA!

Visit the festival website for more information and to purchase tickets. You can also view the festival’s Facebook event page.

Don’t Miss Original Ozark Folk Festival 2023

Original Ozark Folk Festival 2023

Original Ozark Folk Festival 2023, America’s longest continuously running folk festival, is just weeks away! The 76th annual return is set to occur November 9th through the 11th, 2023 in Eureka Springs City Auditorium.

Original Ozark Folk Festival 2023 celebrates the American Songwriter with 2 days of live music from rising stars of the folk world. This year’s lineup includes John Fullbright, Matt the Electrician, and Trout Fishing in America. There will also be a special performance by the Kelly Willis, Brennon Leigh and Melissa Carper super trio! All appearing at The Aud in downtown Eureka Springs.

The festival also includes the annual Barefoot Ball at Eureka Springs’ Basin Park Hotel. This year’s lineup for the Ball includes opening act The Nightimers (Shilah Molina and Doc Hopper), followed by Jumpsuit Jamey & the Can’t Wait To Play Boys.

Attendees on Friday and Saturday will also want to check out The Ozark Folk Faire in the Auditorium Basement, 11am to 4pm, Friday and Saturday. This is an annual arts and crafts show featuring wonderful handcrafted goods and live folk music. This year’s Folk Faire promises a variety of free performances by the Korey McKelvy Duo, Opal Agafia and DeAnna Smith, Trout Fishing in America, and many others.

The festival’s main aim is keeping the traditional folk music and traditions of the Ozarks alive. and many performers come to the festival with homemade instruments. In fact, many attend the festival hoping to buy genuine, Ozark instruments.

Best of all, Sugar Ridge Resort is less than a half hour’s drive from all the Folk Festival fun in downtown Eureka Springs!

Original Ozark Folk Festival 2023

banjo player at Original Ozark Folk Festival 2023

This year’s festival is scheduled for November 9th through the 11th, at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium. Nearby Basin Spring Park will be a site of free concerts and jam sessions throughout the weekend.

Thursday, November 9
6:30pm to 7:30pm – Hedgehoppers
8pm to 11pm – Barefoot Ball at the City Auditorium. NightTimers, featuring Shila Molina and Doc Hopper, and Jumpsuit Jamey and the Can’t Wait to Play Boys

Friday, November 10
11am to 4pm –  Ozark Folk Fair. The Kory McKelvey Duo, Opal Agafia and DeAnna Smith, and Mountain Alice & Dylan Hawf
7pm to 8:30pm – Trout Fishing in America and Matt the Electrician

Saturday, November 11
11am to 4pm – Ozark Folk Fair. Jesse Dean, Still on the Hill, Trout Fishing in America, and the Luthier Bayard Blain Trio.
7pm-9:15pm – John Fullbright and The Melissa Carper, Brennen Leigh, Kelly Willis Trio

So go ahead. Spend the day in Eureka Springs enjoying folk music, crafts, and other Ozark Mountain traditions, then it’s just a quick, scenic drive back to your Beaver Lake cabin or lake view suite at Sugar Ridge Resort. Perfect!

Visit the Ozark Folk Festival’s Facebook page for more information.