Bluegrass Festival to be held in Berryville Oct. 24

Someone will win this fine fiddle at the Berryville Bluegrass Festival, scheduled for one day only, Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Berryville Community Center. Showing off the fiddle, that comes with bow and case, is Ginger Oaks, director of the Berryville Chamber of Commerce, a sponsor of the festival. Jerry Dupy / Carroll County News [Order this photo]

BERRYVILLE -- A Bluegrass Festival is coming to Berryville next week, sponsored by the North Central Arkansas Tourism Council and the Berryville Chamber of Commerce.

It is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning at 10:15 a.m. at the Berryville Community Center.

A full day ticket is $10. The schedule includes an opening ceremony with the National Anthem at 10:15 a.m. followed by nearly 12 hours of continuous music.

At 11 a.m., III Generation is set to perform, Blue Dogwood at noon, the Keisler Brothers at 1 p.m., Franz Family at 2, and Ozark Flavor from 3 to 4 p.m.

After a short break, the Keisler Brothers are set to perform again at 5 p.m., followed by Blue Dogwood, III Generation, Franz Family, and concluding with Ozark Flavor from 9 until 10 p.m.

Ginger Oaks, director of the Berryville Chamber of Commerce, said barbecue will be available on site, served up by the local Kiwanis Club, plus there will be interesting vendors, workshops and jamming sessions.

People will also have the opportunity to win a brand new fiddle with case that will be raffled off, she said. Tickets will sell for $1 each or six for $5. The winner must be present to win.

Fit as Fiddle races

Along with the Bluegrass Festival, the Fit as a Fiddle 5K run and 5K Lyte run are planned, starting at the Berryville Community Center (BCC) at 8 a.m. sharp.

Co-sponsored by the Carroll County Road Runner Club and the BCC Foundation, the 5K race is competitive for runners and joggers. The 5K Lyte run is a non-competitive run for walkers, joggers and "couchers."

For more information on the races contact the BCC at (870) 423-3139, or Melinda at 423-1145.

Gun, Knife show and shoot

Oaks said another "must do" that same weekend is the gun and knife show and shooting competition taking place at the Carroll County Fairgrounds both Saturday and Sunday.

She said Wilson Combat will be furnishing a high-powered gun for the pistol shoot, and Kings River Guns will provide a rifle for the Kids .22 Rifle Shoot.

"There are winners on the hours with a shootoff at the end of the day," Oaks said. "And, added this year will be the .22 competition for youth and adults, as well as skeet and archery."

A horseshoe pitching tournament is also planned and the contact for this event is Toby Williams, at (870) 654-3174.

Oaks said there will be several vendors selling "everything from hunting gear to ammo," and anyone with a paid admission will get free admission to "the pride of Berryville," the Saunders Museum.

Saunders Museum

"Saunders Museum has a fine collection of firearms, featuring guns owned by Jessie and Frank James, Belle Starr, Cole Younger, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody," she said. "But also of interest to antique and furniture buffs, there's even a sheik's tent to check out!"

Downtown activities

Oaks suggested a visit to the Berryville Public Square while people are in town for the weekend activities.

"For those not familiar with the Berryville Public Square, get ready for a treat," Oaks said. "While many towns have abandoned their town squares, Berryville's is still bustling with four restaurants, antique and book shops, plus fountains and park benches where people can sit and see small town life at its best.

"For this special October weekend," she added, "the town square shops will be having sidewalks sales, and the local farmers market will be having a Pumpkin Dessert Contest!"

Oaks said pumpkin entries should be registered by 9 a.m. when sampling is set to begin. For more information on the Pumpkin Contest, contact Linda Jones at (870) 423-4530.

For more information on the Bluegrass Festival, contact Oaks at the Chamber office at (870) 423-3704.