A Colorful Fourth

Celebrate the red, white and blue in Northwest Arkansas

Staff Report

The Ozarks is a colorful place year round.

But on this weekend, it feels right to celebrate three particular colors -- red, white and blue.

What's Up! staff members selected attractions that fit the theme. What follows is a list of ways to have a red, white and blue Fourth of July.

RED

• In Fayetteville, one has to close one's eyes to avoid the red of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Officially, the color you see everywhere in town in Pantone 201 -- a medium cardinal red. A particularly entertaining way to see Razorback red is to walk around campus. There are plenty of signs, and you can pause for a photo beside the giant hog sculpture while you're there. Campus takes on a much different persona during the summer, so it's perfect for a more leisurely walk. -- Kevin Kinder

• Heading east out of Fayetteville on Arkansas 16 begins a winding journey into the history of the state, ending with a bird's eye view of one of its most beautiful valleys. Starting in the 1880s, the region became one of the nation's biggest exporters of hardwood, most of its wealth shipped out via the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway -- the Frisco. Arkansas 16 follows that route to Pettigrew, where the train turned around and headed back west, then on east through Red Star, where the S.D. Albright mill once stood, on to Scenic Arkansas 7 to Jasper and the "Grand Canyon" of Arkansas. Stop for lunch and a spectacular view at the Cliff House. Information: Shiloh Museum of Ozark History at 750-8165; Cliff House at 870-446-2292. -- Becca Martin-Brown

• Not every community has a "red light district" listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But the former Miss Laura's Social Club in Fort Smith is. A true Wild West frontier town, Fort Smith had several bordellos around the turn of the 20th century in a section of town called "The Row." Miss Laura's -- owned by Laura Ziegler -- was "one of the most celebrated," the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture says, "and her ladies were known as the healthiest and most sophisticated." The building was restored in 1983 and in 1992 became the city's visitor center. Tours are offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Information: 783-8888. -- BMB

• Juicy watermelons, luscious strawberries and bright raspberries are just some of the in-season red fruits available at local farmers' markets and fruit stands in Northwest Arkansas. Farmers' markets are open every Saturday through the end of October in Benton, Washington and Madison counties. Fruit stands are speckled throughout the area, showing up at places such as the intersection of Joyce Boulevard and Crossover Road in Fayetteville and Main Drive in Johnson, and are open seven days a week. If fruit isn't your thing, great big red radishes and beets are in season and are the perfect addition to summer salads. Information: ozarkslowfood.org/northwest-arkansas-farmers-markets.-- Allison Carter

The Red River flows east and south from Texas through southern Arkansas before it meets the Mississippi. Its path through Arkansas isn't long -- about 180 miles -- but its significance reaches far beyond its banks. One hundred fifty years ago in April, it was in the middle of Arkansas' only amphibious battle of the Civil War. Called the Red River Campaign, it was the Union's effort to take Shreveport, La. Instead, the Federals saw their battle fleet of ironclads, tinclads, a timberclad, high-speed rams, steamboats and three river monitors with revolving turrets fail miserably, beaten by "the vagaries of the tortuously winding, often shallow Red River." Today, three Red River Campaign battlefields -- Poison Spring, Marks' Mills and Jenkins' Ferry -- are commemorated by Arkansas state parks in Sheridan, Fordyce and Camden, respectively. Information: arkansasstateparks.com. -- BMB

WHITE

• Located squarely within the Boston Mountains, White Rock Mountain provides hiking and camping opportunities. White Rock Mountain connects to several hiking trails, including the 150-plus-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. But it also connects to the Rim Trail, which takes hikers in a circle around the top of White Rock, providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding territory. Camping spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The lodge and the three cabins on the site require reservations. Information: whiterockmountain.com. -- KK

• With four wineries in a 5-mile radius, and a fifth winery one town over, Altus wine country remains a popular draw. Vineyards dot the roadsides near the town, and locally grown grapes serve as the foundation for several varietals, including several white wines. If there is such a thing as a quintessentially Arkansas wine, it's muscadine, which comes in white and red versions. Most of the wineries in the area offer a version of that wine, or a blend featuring that grape. There are many types of red wines made in Altus as well, if that's more your style. -- KK

The White River flows from the headwaters near Fayetteville through southern Missouri then re-enters Arkansas heading southeast past Cotter and Batesville. The eight-mile stretch of the river that is created by the Beaver Dam tailwaters flows in a northerly direction off U.S. 62 between Eureka Springs and Gateway. Fisherman can find rainbow and brown trout in this area. Kayak, canoe and paddle boat rentals are also available for this river. Information: arkansas.com. -- Ashley Batchelor

White Street in Eureka Springs offers visitors a variety of art and food with well-known names such as Zeek Taylor, Eleanor Lux of Lux Weaving Studio and painter and sculptor Mary Springer working in the neighborhood. Stop by Ermilio's Italian Home Cooking at 26 White St. or visit Oscar's Cafe at 17 White St. for breakfast or lunch. Oscar's is also featuring Around the World dinner parties with the last one July 14, showcasing India. Reserve seats at least a week in advance by calling 981-1435. Some other attractions on the street are Regalia Handmade Clothing Studio, Susie's Bodacious Bungalow and 10 White Street Luxury Lodging, a renovated 1889 Victorian home. -- AB

• Located on the Illinois River near Siloam Springs, the Whitewater Recreation Park was created for kayakers -- and experienced ones at that -- with some 700 feet of Class II and III whitewater. Newly opened in 2014, the park is free and also offers a climbing boulder, a picnic area, walking trails and a rain garden. Information: 524-5136. -- BMB

BLUE

• Since their debut in 1982, an estimated 9 million Bluebirds of Happiness have been sold. Each and every one of them has been hand crafted at Terra Studios in Durham. Guests at Terra Studios can watch the blown glass creations being made or visit the surrounding grounds, which includes a cafe, labyrinth and art galleries. Touring the grounds at Terra Studios is a family friendly activity and is free of charge. There is also pink version of the original bluebird creation, with a portion of sales of pink bluebirds donated to charity. Information: terrastudios.com. -- KK

• Blue Spring Heritage Center, located at 1537 Carroll County 210 in Eureka Springs, features Blue Spring, which pours 38 million gallons of cold, clear water each day into its trout-filled lagoon. The bluff shelter is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Blue Spring was part of the Trail of Tears. Other attractions include more than a mile of trails and gardens that demonstrate crops, plants, flowers and healing herbs at home in the Ozarks. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is $9.75 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 6-17 and free for ages 5 and younger. Information: 253-9244 or bluespringheritage.com. -- AB

• Root for the home team by checking out a Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball game at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Today's game at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Midland RockHounds will include a Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. The blue-wearing team will then take on Frisco RoughRiders at 7:05 p.m. Saturday and 6:05 p.m. Sunday. Saturday will feature a post-game fireworks spectacular, and on Sunday, kids 12 years old and younger eat for free and a post-game catch session will be held on the field. At the concession stands, guests can find food ranging from cotton candy to barbecue, and children can play in the Kansas City Royals Kids Zone, which includes a new and improved wiffle ball field, or ride the Truity Credit Union Kids Train. Game tickets range from $7 to $14. Information: 927-4900. -- AB

• Technically, it's not a lake. It's a reservoir, created by the 1966 completion of a dam across the White River. But the blue waters of Beaver Lake have been delighting fishermen and water sports fans ever since. The 28,000-acre lake boasts 450 miles of shoreline and 12 parks, great for birdwatchers, hikers and mountain bikers. Tonight, it's home to a fireworks show just for boaters at mile marker 8 near Ventris Trail's End Resort and at 9 p.m. Saturday, there will be music and fireworks at Prairie Creek Marina near Rogers. Information: arkansas.com. -- BBM

• Northwest Arkansas remains a good place to hear some good blues music. The region supports three blues music festivals, two of which took place last month. This weekend, blues bands can be found in many of the clubs in the region, including the Gary Hutchison Band on Saturday at Jose's Restaurant and Club -- KK

NAN What's Up on 07/04/2014

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