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Spring is Slated as Outdoor Festival in Eureka Springs

In 2007, businesses in Eureka Springs are welcoming spring travelers to celebrate the outdoors . Touting the slogan “What's NEW is OUT (doors.) What's OLD e is IN (town)” Jeff Feldman, president of the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce sends out the invitation, “For spring break bring the kids, hiking boots, fishing poles, mountain bikes, and spirit of adventure as the Eureka Springs region offers a variety of activities for families and those seeking soft adventure. The greater Eureka Springs area is abundant with such activities as great fishing on both rivers and lakes, biking, birding and wonderful hikes proving that the NEW local attraction really is OUT-doors"

Visitors have been drawn to this healing, rejuvenating, and magical place since the early 1800's. More recent guests enjoy an endless array of activities that can start with a day of hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing or caving and end with an excellent dining experience, relaxing massage, gallery stroll, and superb lodging. Eureka Springs has a unique and varied history and beauty that is around every twist, turn and hidden path of this charming town. The arts, artists, and rich cultural heritage exist because of the natural beauty that is so much a part of this area.

This same natural beauty is going to be the center of a campaign to promote outdoor awareness in the area. Although an early kick-off event in March for spring break is planned, April will be the official Outdoor Tourism Month for Eureka Springs.

Family Funfest is scheduled to take place March 17th and 18th at Lake Leatherwood and will be a great opportunity for visitors and residents to come out and help Eureka Springs' prelude to Outdoor Tourism Month. Many fun things will take place during the Funfest including a kid's bike race, a tree identification session plus canoeing and paddle boating.

Registration for the bike race will be Saturday March 17th at 10:00 a.m., with the bike race to begin at 11:00 a.m. Participants can bring their own bike, or choose from a limited number of bikes available for this event. There will also be bike tours, and scheduled hikes from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Members from the Arkansas State Forestry Commission will be on hand for the educational tree identification session on Saturday. Lake Leatherwood's canoes and paddleboats will be available for rent as well.

Springtime in The Ozarks is one of the best times of the year to get outside to discover the innumerable outdoor activities available. Most locals are well aware of these activities but for the lucky visitor who is heading to Eureka Springs only planning to enjoy our “Victorian Village” he or she is in for a wonderful and exciting surprise.

The year 2007 will be especially exciting because of the addition of the First Annual Tri-Angler Fishing Event scheduled for April 28th. This new event will also be headquartered at Lake Leatherwood.

“For those not familiar with Lake Leatherwood, it is one of America's largest city parks tucked away into the rolling hills and hollows of the Arkansas Ozarks,” explained Ruth Goodwin-Hager, chairman of the Outdoor Tourism Committee of the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce. “The fishing tournament will begin at the park and then spread out across the Eureka Springs region' to the White River, Beaver Lake and the Kings River all within a ten-mile radius from downtown Eureka.”

The Tri-Angler Fishing Event will be a “winner take all” adventure which will be begin at 6:00 a.m. and last until 2:00 p.m., with the weigh-in taking place immediately thereafter. Teams of three will begin together at Leatherwood Park and split at the start with a trout fisherman headed to the White River, small mouth bass fisherman in their canoes to the Kings River, and the striper fisherman off to Beaver Lake. Returning to Leatherwood Park, the greatest total poundage of all fish caught collectively by any one team will be awarded the “winner take all” prize. A variety of music and vendors will be set up throughout Lake Leatherwood the day of the event for a weekend full of quality family fun.

Participants may register weekdays at the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce office located in Pine Mountain Village or anytime online at eurekaspringschamber.com. Participants may also register at the Friday Night Fish Fry on April 27th at The Balcony Restaurant located in the historic 1905 Basin Park Hotel in downtown Eureka Springs.

The list of other activities planned for this 45-day “month” saluting the outdoors include:

March 16 – 18 Family Fun Fest at Lake Leatherwood

March 20 Celebrate Earth Day with a community trail cleanup

March 24 Turpentine Creek's annual Spring Kite Fest

April 13 – 14 Early Migration Birding at Lake Leatherwood

April 27 International Migratory Bird Day at Lake Leatherwood

April 28 The Tri-Angler - teams of three fish the White, Kings & Beaver

For more information on all of these events, one may contact the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce at 800-638-7352 or by going online to eurekaspringschamber.com.