Summer Days, Drifting Away

Take advantage of those last carefree summer nights

Friday, August 29, 2014

Summer does not officially end until Sept. 23. But with school already underway and many of the things we enjoy about summer on their way out, everyone here at What's Up! thought up a few summer favorites still available this Labor Day weekend. Spend this season's last hurrah enjoying the best of warm-weather treats.

While it's still warm, check out an outdoor movie at the 112 Drive In, located at 3552 Arkansas 112 north in Fayetteville. The theater is open Thursday through Sunday, and this weekend's films are "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" at 8:15 p.m. and "Guardians of the Galaxy" at 10:35 p.m. Coming attractions include "Into the Storm," "The Expendables 3," "Let's Be Cops," When the Game Stands Tall," "If I Stay" and "Dolphin Tale 2." Tickets are $7 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. Guests can watch films from their car or set out chairs and blankets in their parking spot. Various foods and beverages also are available for purchase at a concession stand. INFO -- 442-4542 or 112driveintheatre.com.

Few things say summer quite like a baseball game, a hot dog and a cold drink, and both the summer and the local Northwest Arkansas Naturals' season are wrapping up. The Naturals' run of home games ends this weekend with a Saturday, Sunday and Monday series against in-state rivals the Arkansas Travelers. The Saturday and Sunday games begin at 6:05 p.m. and Monday's season finale starts at 1:05 p.m. Promotions for the weekend include post-game fireworks on Sunday, as well as a chance for kids 12 and younger to eat for free and run the bases. Monday's game offers $1 hot dogs and a chance to play baseball bingo. INFO -- milb.com.

Fall Friday nights might revolve around high school football. But in the summer, it's a race to get off work and get to the West Siloam Speedway. Located on U.S. 412 just across the Oklahoma line, the 3/8 mile high-bank dirt track runs at 7 p.m. every Friday until the end of September. New owner Jacob Frese has spruced up the place and invested $18,000 in new clay for the track, where some 40 to 50 cars compete in five classes from entry level to "A-mods." He promises it's great family fun with lots of giveaways and interactive opportunities for kids. (And earplugs are available at the concession stand.) Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and veterans, and kids 12 and younger are admitted free. INFO -- westsiloamspeedway.com and on Facebook.

It's a summer tradition in Rogers and has been for 54 years as of June. The Susie Q Malt Shop at 612 N. Second St. serves up classic burgers, hot dogs, onion rings and fries -- along with the occasional grilled chicken sandwich -- but night manager Angel Allen says it's "Bill" the ice cream machine that has kept the business hopping. The menu, printed on boards on the outside walls of the 1950s-style drive-up restaurant, includes "an array" of flavors available as shakes and malts: Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry -- of course -- plus cherry, pineapple, hot fudge, raspberry, banana, butterscotch, peanut butter, Butterfinger, Oreo, blueberry and the flavor of the month: Peach in August, cheesecake in September. The Susie Q will be open abbreviated hours -- 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and until 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- until sometime around Halloween and will reopen in time for Valentine's Day. INFO -- 631-6258.

The city pools have closed for the season, but there is still a chance to wear that bikini before winter rolls in. Lake Wedington, located 12 miles west of Fayetteville in the Ozark National Forest, is a 102-acre lake surrounded by 424 acres of lush forest. The recreational area was completed in 1938 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. If getting wet isn't your thing, you can strut around the picnic spots, playgrounds and volleyball courts speckled around the watering hole. The forest boasts several trails, including a 7-mile hiking trail that is open year round. The lake also has multiple boat launching rams and a boathouse and is regularly stocked with fish. Only boats with less that 10 horsepower engines are permitted on the lake. INFO -- 442-3527.

-- What's Up! Staff

NAN What's Up on 08/29/2014