The 86th annual World's Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26-27, according to a news release from Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce.
The festival will be held in downtown Stuttgart.
Activities kick off at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 with the Children's Duck Calling Classes and the opening of all exhibitor tents, including the Sutherlands Arts and Crafts Tent, Riceland Commercial Exhibits, Walmart Sporting Collectibles Tent and the Outdoor Exhibits.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest will begin. This is a scholarship contest open to all high school seniors. After this contest will be the Arkansas State contest, a qualifier for the World's Contest and open to any Arkansas resident 17 and older.
The Intermediate World's Contest will be held at 2 p.m. followed by the Last Chance Regional Contest, the last chance to qualify for the World's Contest. All calling contests will be held on the Stuttgart Stage.
The Carnival and Midway sponsored by Scott Manufacturing will open at noon and run throughout the evening. Armbands will be available from 4-8 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 27, activities kick off with the Great Duck Race 10K/5K and Family Fun Run, sponsored by Baptist Health, beginning at 8 a.m. The race is open to all ages with awards given in numerous categories. Registration is now open.
All vendor tents open at 9 a.m. along with the start of the Junior World's Duck Calling Contest followed by the Women's World.
New this year, hot air balloons will be sponsored by Express Employment Professionals. A limited number of flights will be available by appointment only. Tethered rides will also be available from 2:30-5 p.m. on Nov. 26-27 with no appointment necessary. Balloons will be located at Mack's Prairie Wings.
The 40th Annual World's Championship Duck Gumbo Cook-off, sponsored by Michelob Ultra and Ludwig Distributing Co. kicks off at 11 a.m. Nov. 27 on the Producers Rice Mill lot. Fifty-six teams will be competing for the title of World Champion. This event will feature Aces Wild and attendees must be 21 to enter. Vaccination card or negative covid-19 test within the past 72 hours is highly recommended.
Also, new this year will be a Beer Garden sponsored by Lost Forty Brewing and Ludwig Distributing Company which will be located downtown in the Pavilion.
The Carnival and Midway opens at noon with armbands available from 4-8 p.m.
The 86th annual World's Championship Duck Calling Contest begins at 2 p.m. with over 60 contestants from across the country competing for the title. Also, this year will be the Champion of Champions Contest which is only held every five years and only open to former World winners. The winner will retire from competition. The Senior World's Contest will also be held this year.
The World's Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival is presented by Mack's Prairie Wings, Winchester Ammunition, Benelli, Purina, Rightfiber, Saracen Casino and Lennox Industries, according to the news release.
Sponsors also include Mossy Oak, YETI, War Eagle Boats, Ducks Unlimited, Sitka, Gunner Kennels, and Stuttgart A&P Commission.
Details: www.stuttgartarkansas.org or call the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, (870) 673-1602.