ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM

CROWLEY’S RIDGE

At less than 400 square miles, this geological oddity accounts for less than 1 percent of the state’s total land mass, but the unexpected appearance of these gently rolling hills makes a large impression as they seemingly tower in the distance from the flat tableland of Arkansas’s Delta. Crowley’s Ridge is the only geographical phenomenon ridge formation in North America and one of only two similar geological ridge formations in the world (the other being in Siberia). It rises to an elevation of 550 feet at its northernmost point and ranges from about 12 miles wide in the north to a half wide in the south, where it meets the Mississippi River. The most popular theory of its formation posits that it was carved by the flows of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers thousands of years ago. Composed primarily of loess (pronounced “luss”), a windblown sediment, Crowley’s terrain ripples like drifts of snow artistically arranged by Mother Nature herself. The higher ground of the Ridge was a welcome relief for the state’s first European settlers, having slogged their wagons through the swampy lowlands that surround it.

Benjamin Crowley served his country during the War of 1812, receiving a land grant for 160 acres of land west of the Mississippi River as payment for his service. In 1821, Crowley and his family left Henderson Valley, Kentucky, to claim their new home. While en route, Crowley learned that his land sunk during the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes; he would have to find new land and file a petition for its substitution. Crowley crossed the Mississippi River in Missouri, entering Arkansas west of the Black River. His quest stalled briefly along the Spring River near the present boundary between Lawrence and Randolph Counties. He planted one crop before continuing east until he reached the hill country north of the town now known as Walcott. The numerous clear springs, plentiful game, and rich soil of the land running to the Cache River bottoms below inspired him to stake his claim along the sheltered hills of what is now called Crowley’s Ridge. Crowley’s settlement escaped the destruction of the floods of the 1820s, and soon other farmers climbed the ridge to build their homes safely out of flood range. As the community grew and the trees that protected the Ridge’s fragile soil from erosion were harvested for homes and fields, deep gullies began to cut through its sloping hills. In 1936, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted pine trees and kudzu along the ridge in an effort to stymie its erosion. The first tendrils of kudzu appear just south of Jonesboro, becoming more prominent as you travel south to Helena–West Helena, where the hills of the parkway are blanketed with the hearty vines.

Helena’s easily defensible position on the high ground where the Ridge meets the Mississippi River made it an important location during the Civil War, and historical sites remain a significant draw for visitors. The town’s place in history was further enhanced on November 12, 1941, when radio station KFFA began broadcasting King Biscuit Time featuring local performers of a style called blues, a genre developed by black musicians in the South. The program that revolutionized music in the United States at the time still broadcasts Monday through Friday from the Delta Cultural Center in historic downtown Helena.

Modern explorers find the clear waters and diverse wildlife that attracted Benjamin Crowley to the ridge in the 1800s remains abundant today. Its forests are teeming with white-tailed deer and wild turkey, largely due to the protection of the state’s land management agencies. Deer are not only plentiful, but also particularly large—it is rumored they know park boundaries and taunt hunters from their safe harbor. Millions of raptors, songbirds, and shorebirds migrate to the Mississippi Flyway each spring and fall, attracting birders from throughout the country. Can’t blame the birds. In spring, the large, lemony yellow blossoms of the tulip poplars herald the season in explosive fashion. Who wouldn’t want to perch on one of those branches? Fall color on Crowley’s Ridge must be seen to be truly believed. On sunny days, the forests are luminous with such varied and vivid hues of umber, gold, and saffron it is as if they are lit from within. Scarlet halos of sumac pool beneath the autumnal oak and beech canopy, blazing like bonfires along the parkway.

Preservation is more than a mission to the people who live here; it is fundamental to their daily way of life. Perhaps it is their close connection to the fickle shores of the Mississippi River, or maybe it comes from a couple centuries of building permanent structures on these delicate hills of loess. This is a place where folks don’t take more than they need, and area history is proudly displayed in local museums staffed by community volunteers. Their commitment to the fragile environment of Crowley’s Ridge protects it from the reckless destruction of the progression of man and ensures its endurance for centuries to come.

AREA CODE Communities along Crowley’s Ridge fall under the 870 area code.

GUIDANCE Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (501-682-7777 or 1-800-NATURAL; www.arkansas.com), 1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock. The state’s tourism division provides a plethora of valuable resources to travelers considering a vacation in Arkansas. Crowley’s Ridge also falls under the purview of one of the state’s most creative and effective regional tourist associations—Arkansas Delta Byways (870-972-2803; www.deltabyways.com), P.O. Box 2050, State University. This savvy group’s tourism arsenal includes a self-guided Civil Rights Trail, a “Birding the Byways” brochure, and a hugely popular crops guide to help city folk recognize the difference between a field of cotton and a field of rice.

Several chambers of commerce and visitor centers strategically located throughout the Ridge serve as modern-day guides for travelers along this scenic byway. For additional information about events, dining, lodging, and individual town services, the following will prove helpful on the way.

Phillips County Chamber of Commerce (870-338-8327; www.phillipscountychamber.org), Helena–West Helena.

Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce (870-633-1651; www.forrestcitychamber.com), 203 North Izard, Forrest City.

Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce (870-932-6691; www.jonesborochamber.org), 1709 East Nettleton, Jonesboro. Open Monday through Friday 9–5.

Paragould-Greene County Chamber of Commerce (870-236-7684, www.paragould.org), Paragould.

Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce (870-598-3167), Piggott.

GETTING THERE By auto: The simplest route to Crowley’s Ridge, from east or west, is by way of I-40, which crosses the lower third of the ridge at Forrest City. The southern end is accessed by following AR 1 south. The northern route to the upper Ridge departs Forrest City on AR 284. From Campbell, Missouri, in the north, follow US 62 south across the St. Francis River into the Arkansas border town of the same name.

By air: There are two clear choices for air travel to eastern Arkansas, both requiring additional travel by auto. Little Rock National Airport (501-372-3439; www.lrn-airport.com), 1 Airport Drive, Little Rock, is located in the state’s capital city and the heart of the state. However, many travelers to eastern Arkansas find the Memphis International Airport (901-922-8000; www.mscaa.com), 2491 Winchester Road, Suite 113, Memphis, Tennessee more cost effective and convenient.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES Helena Regional Medical Center (870-816-3940; www.helenarmc.com), 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, Helena, is a full-service facility.

St. Bernards Medical Center (870-972-4100; www.stbernards.info), 225 East Jackson Avenue, Jonesboro. St. Bernards serves as an acute care hospital and referral center for 23 counties in Arkansas and Missouri.

Wandering Around

EXPLORING BY CAR Crowley’s Ridge Parkway, Arkansas’s first National Scenic Byway, merges six US highways, nine Arkansas highways, and 11.5 miles of well-maintained gravel road through a national forest as it traverses the spine of the Ridge. The parkway stretches 198 miles over half a million acres in Arkansas, encompassing eight counties and 11 communities from St. Francis (Clay County) to Helena–West Helena (Phillips County). An additional 14.2 miles run through Missouri. The unique topography and variety of floral species provide the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in east Arkansas, rivaling even the Ozarks in fall. Mississippi River State Park opened in 2009 along what may be the Parkway’s most scenic segment as it passes through the St. Francis National Forest on its path to the mighty Mississippi. In the higher elevations, the canopy-covered road leads to vistas incongruous with the flatlands of the Delta. The low road leads to the wildlife of the wetlands.

EXPLORING BY FOOT Military Road Trail (870-238-2406; www.arkansasstateparks.com/villagecreek), 201 CR 754, Wynne. Village Creek State Park boasts 7 miles of hiking and 25 miles of multiuse trails that showcase the unique terrain of Crowley’s Ridge as they meander through nearly 7,000 acres of forest encompassed by the park. The moderate 2.25-mile trail preserves the most dramatic remaining Arkansas portion of the Trail of Tears. Originally called the Memphis to Little Rock Road, its completion in 1820 made it the first improved road between Memphis and Arkansas’s capital city. It eventually became a major route in the removal of the Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee Indians. Self-guided trail brochures, available at the visitor center, provide the navigation for this two-hour trek that is both scenic and stirring. It doesn’t take much imagination to get a sense of those times in this place. Every time it rains, the fragility of the loess soil of Crowley’s Ridge reinforces the ruts originally made by covered wagons over a century ago. The resultant bluffs that now line the trail are sliced sporadically by stair steps to the abandoned homesteads of the Ridge’s original settlers. In spring, some of these walkways are still lined with jonquils planted by hands of those long since gone. One of the trailheads for the Military Road Trail is adjacent to Lake Austell’s picnic area; the second is at the intersection of Village Creek, the creek, and Old Military Road, the road.

EXPLORING BY RIVER The St. Francis River begins in southeast Missouri, paralleling the eastern border of Crowley’s Ridge, as it meanders its way some 300 miles through the Natural State before converging with the Mississippi just north of Helena. Historic landmarks and natural Delta beauty abound from start to finish. A county-owned park marks the site of Chalk Bluff Civil War Battlefield (1863) a short distance from where the river enters the state, north of the town of St. Francis. Access to the river is available at St. Francis. One of the most interesting sections of the river extends some 30 miles along its course, east of Jonesboro. The massive New Madrid earthquake of 1812 created the St. Francis Sunken Lands. The river, and thousands of acres along it, dropped a few feet to create a wetlands region. An Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife management area preserves almost 17,000 acres of the sunken lands.

Farther south, the river flows adjacent to the ancient Native American village at Parkin Archeological State Park (US 64), and, on the lower reaches of the river, the St. Francis National Forest. There are no outfitters on the river and you will have to shuttle your own canoe, but it is a peaceful float with little traffic.

The L’Anguille River originates in Poinsett County, flowing south until it converges with the St. Francis River at Marianna. Its name means “eel” in French, and it is referenced in explorers’ journals dating back to 1723. Access is at highway crossings and outside Marianna (US 79). The L’Anguille River also borders parts of the St. Francis National Forest as it meanders the 300 miles south toward its confluence with the St. Francis. Fishing and waterfowl hunting are favorites along this lazy Delta stream. Once again, you will have to tote your own canoe, but you will be richly rewarded for your efforts, as the final leg of your journey flows along the scenic shores of Mississippi River State Park. If you’re wanting to canoe and camp, this park’s primitive campsites are my first choice in all of Arkansas. Each is within view of the water and many are intimately placed on peninsulas, enhancing the feeling of privacy for your stay.

FISHING ON BEAR CREEK LAKE

Towns and Villages

Forrest City. On the western slopes of Crowley’s Ridge, Forrest City has long been a popular exit from I-40 for travelers seeking recreation, historic sites, and accommodations. Village Creek State Park is nearby, offering 7,000 acres of woodlands, streams, lakes, cabins, and camping. It is also the site of the state’s newly built Ridges at Village Creek, a 27-hole golf course designed by Andy Dye and constructed by Oliphant Golf. Located on 600 acres adjacent to Village Creek State Park, the 7,449-yard, par 72 course’s cart paths and tees may offer the perfect vantage point for truly appreciating the wonder of the terrain of Crowley’s Ridge. The St. Francis County Museum, in the downtown area, is filled with memorabilia from the past, including some of the most significant prehistoric artifacts discovered on the ridge.

Jonesboro. The largest city on the Ridge and in northeast Arkansas spans the broad plateau near the northernmost section of Crowley’s Ridge. The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is the perfect place for a thorough introduction to the formation of Crowley’s Ridge, as well as to take in a bird’s-eye view of its unique plant life and terrain from the walkways that lace the grounds. Jonesboro also is home to Arkansas State University, which houses several major attractions, including the Arkansas State Museum, an athletic complex, a convocation center, the Fowler Center, and the Bradbury Art Gallery. Arkansas Delta Byways, regional tourist association for the area, headquarters at the college and serves as a think tank for tourism development for all of eastern Arkansas. Dr. Ruth Hawkins, executive director of the association, is credited as the driving force behind both national scenic byway designations in the Delta. An art deco–inspired courthouse in the historic downtown district is an architectural draw amid numerous fine art galleries and retail shopping.

Marianna is home to Arkansas’s latest, and last, state park—Mississippi River State Park. The town square is regarded by many as the most beautiful on the Ridge, featuring a park area, gazebo, Confederate monument, and local courthouse. The Lee County Museum is also convenient to the square, and the Huxtable Pumping Station, the world’s largest, monitors the mighty Mississippi River just north of town.

Paragould. Sometimes it just pays to be in the right place at the right time. Paragould has managed to be the right place during many times. In 1930, residents were awakened by a long, loud noise and arose to find an eerie glow in the sky. A meteorite hit just 4 miles from town, leaving two galactic stone fragments—75 pounds and 820 pounds—as souvenirs of its unearthly origins. Less than a decade later, two men fishing the banks of Hurricane Creek unearthed a 3-foot bone from the sandy shore. For a three-week period, the men continued their amateur archaeological excavation, eventually unearthing the bones of a 10,000-year-old mastodon. The town’s name is a hybrid formed from the surnames of two rival railroad men critical to the town’s founding: Jay Gold and J. W. Paramore.

Piggott. Named in honor of Dr. James A. Piggott, whose petition successfully secured the post office for the area, this picturesque town at the northern tip of Crowley’s Ridge is probably best known for its connection to American literary icon Ernest Hemingway, who was married to Piggott native Pauline Pfeiffer while in Paris on assignment for Vogue in 1927. Hemingway claimed the barn behind Pauline’s parents’ house and penned portions of A Farewell to Arms, as well as other short stories, in between quail hunting and visiting with Pauline’s parents. The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center now occupies the former family home; the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum next door displays a world-class mineral collection for rock hounds on the Ridge.

Wynne. Incorporated after the completion of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railroad, Wynne was the first stop on the route between Bald Knob and Memphis. Modern-day visitors to the area recount the town’s history at the Cross County Museum adjacent to the parkway, and horse lovers come from a four-state area to take advantage of the exquisite equine facilities recently constructed at Village Creek State Park near town. The addition of a 27-hole golf course adjacent to the park has attracted the attention of duffers from throughout the South, and even around the country. The park is the site for a number of events in the region, most notably May’s annual Pickin’ in the Park, which draws thousands of amateur and semi-pro bluegrass musicians to the grounds for a week of impromptu campfire jam sessions.

To See

MUSEUMS St. Francis County Museum (870-261-1744), 603 Front Street, Forrest City. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10–5. Free admission. This museum, which also serves as an official national parkway visitor center, is housed in the historic 1906 Rush-Gates Home and is just one of the town’s buildings listed on the National Historic Register. Native American pottery and other prehistoric artifacts from the J. O. Rush Relic Collection are exhibited during the museum’s normal business hours and by special appointment. Dr. Rush’s office is reconstructed here, and the eclectic inventory includes geology and fossils from Crowley’s Ridge, local lore and memorabilia, and items that reflect African American history. Don’t let the old-fashioned outhouse in the yard alarm you; thoroughly modern water closets are available inside.

ST. FRANCIS COUNTY MUSEUM

ERNEST HEMINGWAY WROTE PASSAGES OF A FAREWELL TO ARMS IN PIGGOTT

Phillips County Museum (870-338-7790), 623 Pecan Street, Helena. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10–4. Located in the heart of Helena, the museum’s portraits of the town’s seven Confederate generals remind visitors of the town’s significance as a Civil War site and its loyalty to the Confederacy despite being a critical Union stronghold in the South. Ephemera from the era, including letters drafted by Robert E. Lee, provide first-person testimonial of the determination amid devastation that ruled the day. The Mississippi’s most prestigious author, Mark Twain, helped establish the museum over a hundred years ago; Thomas Edison’s ancestors recently contributed artifacts documenting his scientific discoveries, including actual experiments. Free.

Arkansas State University Museum (870-972-2074; museum.astate.edu), Dean B. Ellis Library, State University. Open Tuesday 9–7, Wednesday through Saturday 9–5, Sunday 1–5. This museum now occupies 25,000 square feet in the west wing of the Dean B. Ellis Library on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. The museum started with a single glass case of archaeological facts in the university’s Wilson Hall in 1936 and gained its museum accreditation from the American Association of Museums in 1967. Over 70,000 exhibits cover a broad range of fields of study, of which 24,000 record over 500 million years of change on Crowley’s Ridge. Fossil specimens dating from the Paleozoic through the Cenozoic Eras were carefully assembled by Dr. Wittlake, a paleobotanist and the former museum director. Archaeologists and amateurs alike have harvested abundant mastodon finds, as well as giant beaver, sloth, and bison remains. All of these are represented in the museum’s collections, along with a nearly complete Paleolama skeleton. Free.

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center (870-598-3487; www.hemingway.astate.edu), 1021 West Cherry Street, Piggott. Open Monday through Saturday 9–5. Tours are offered by appointment, and on a drop-in basis every hour on the hour Monday through Friday 9–3 and Saturday 1–3. Guests can visit the family home of Paul and Mary Pfeiffer, prominent citizens of northeast Arkansas and Ernest Hemingway’s in-laws, as well as the barn/studio where Hemingway wrote portions of A Farewell to Arms (he fled to California to finish the book—away from the skeeters and heat of summertime in Piggott). Hemingway visited the area frequently and commemorated one of his visits in the short story “A Day’s Wait” in 1933. One of my all-time favorite quotes is from a letter Mary wrote to Hemingway when he divorced her daughter, Pauline. Always the epitome of Southern grace, Pauline references their future with forgiveness, “May we meet again in fairer climes on farther shores.” Or maybe she was just wishing the mosquitoes on him. Hemingway-related books are among the unique gifts available in the museum store. Free admission.

Matilda & Karl Pfeiffer Museum & Study Center (870-598-3228; www.pfeifferfoundation.com), 1071 Heritage Park Drive, Piggott. Open Tuesday through Friday 9–4, Saturday 11–4. This early 1930s Tudor Revival home is situated on 11 acres of natural gardens. Rock hounds relish the 1,400 specimens, many of them rare or one of a kind, in the museum’s vast mineral collection. Striking smoky fissures in quartz with pyrite, chunky tomato spessartine, and the funky fuchsia of rhodochrosite on quartz are just a few of the rocks that ROCK! Native American artifacts, collected locally, and a library of over 1,600 volumes round out the museum’s permanent displays. Film buffs might recognize the location from scenes filmed there for the 1956 movie A Face in the Crowd. The center is next door to the Hemingway-Pfeiffer museum. Groups of 10 or more require reservations. Free.

CULTURAL SITES Historic cemeteries are prolific here because early settlers, including those who lived in the lowlands, buried their dead on the higher ground of Crowley’s Ridge. Many of the headstones have unusual grave markings and insightful epitaphs.

Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park (870-598-2667), CR 368, St. Francis. The town of Chalk Bluff was the site of several Civil War skirmishes, the most significant of which was the May 1–2, 1863, action as Gen. John S. Marmaduke retreated from an unsuccessful raid into Missouri. The town is long gone, but that battle and the town’s history are interpreted through markers placed along a walking trail. The park is listed on the National Register and is handicapped accessible.

Parker Homestead (870-578-2699 or 870-578-9251; www.parkerhomestead.com), 6944 Homestead Road, Harrisburg. Saturday 10–5, Sunday noon–5. This fascinating living-history museum consists of 12 log buildings as well as several other structures, most of which are believed to have been constructed during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Roberts’ Chapel is considered the oldest structure in the village; check out the carving just inside the large window as you exit the chapel. Originally a two-room house, the story goes that a woman lived there alone while her men were off fighting the War of Northern Aggression. Union soldiers came through and confiscated her only means of transportation—a little mare. She had the last laugh in the end when she was awakened that evening by the mare’s return. (This may also be the state’s first unconfirmed and unofficial example of a homing horse.) The village also includes Clark’s Cabin, the Loom House, the Broom Shop, the General Store, the Barn, the Blacksmith, the Way Station, the Grist Mill, the Sorghum Mill, the E. Sloan Heritage School, the Smokehouse, and the Post Office and Print Shop. Admission $7 adults, $5 seniors and under 12.

Delta Cultural Center (870-338-4350; www.deltaculturalcenter.com), 141 Cherry Street, Helena. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9–5. The museum is also open on national Monday holidays throughout the year; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Historic downtown Helena was blessed when “Sonny Boy” Williamson chose to broadcast his blues radio program from this Cherry Street location. Williamson still broadcasts King Biscuit Time weekly from Blues Corner, and exhibits, guided tours, and educational programs detail the rich blues heritage of the city.

TRY THE SIMPLE LIFE AT WITTEN FARMS ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM

The center is divided into two locations: the depot and the visitor center. A Heritage of Determination, the featured exhibit on the depot’s ground floor, recounts the history of the Delta from its earliest inhabitants, into early settlement, and through great Mississippi River floods. Upstairs, Civil War in the Delta gives visitors insight into Union occupation and the Battle of Helena. The visitor center, just one block north, features a Delta Sounds music exhibit, the radio studio, a museum store, and temporary exhibit space. Free.

Parkin Archeological State Park (870-755-2500; www.arkansasstateparks.com/parkinarcheological), P.O. Box 1110, Parkin. Open Monday through Saturday 8–5, Sunday 1–5. Just 6 miles east of Crowley’s Ridge, this National Historic Landmark provides a glimpse into life in this Native American village between the years 1400 and 1650, known as the Mississippian Period. The park is believed to be located on the site where the province of Casqui once stood. Referenced in accounts filed by the 1541 de Soto expedition, Casqui was described as the capital of the mound-building cultures in the region. Spanish artifacts have also been recovered at the park, and Parkin’s de Soto exhibit is one of the highlights on display. Park visitors are allowed to observe modern archaeologists at work when excavations are underway. The Northern Ohio School, a historic one-room schoolhouse, picnic area, playground, and standard pavilion invite visitors to stay a while and immerse themselves in days gone by. Replicas of the Casqui head pots unearthed at Parkin are among the unique items for sale in the park’s gift shop. An enclosed pavilion and a meeting room in the visitor center are available for groups and special events. Admission $3.50 adults; $2.50 ages 6–12; $12 family; special rates for groups and schools are available by calling the park in advance.

COWPOKES WELCOME

Horseback Riding Village Creek State Park (870-238-9406; www.arkansasstateparks.com/villagecreek), 201 County Road 754, Wynne. Open seven days a week year-round. This 7,600-acre park boasts the finest equestrian facilities in a four-state region. Fondly referred to as the Horse Hilton, this 80-horse barn opened in 2006 and pampers horses with warm showers while captivating riders with its scenic, historic trails and entertaining visitors with unique annual events. Covered stalls and ceiling fans set the 66 bays at Village Creek apart from other facilities; 30 campsites with water and electricity nearby allow owners to keep a close eye on their mounts. Vicki Trimble, a former interpreter at the park and force behind the project and its design, patterned the facility after Land Between the Lakes, a prominent horse camp in Kentucky. Over 25 miles of horse trails meander through the park before crossing over the Trail of Tears as it departs the park. Village Creek is one of the few places left where the public can still walk (and horse trails cross over) the Trail of Tears. The tragic story of the massive relocation of Native Americans is told in interpretive panels, complete with complementary audio tracks, placed at the trailhead and sporadically along its path. Crowley Ridge’s extraordinary topography is spotlighted throughout the picturesque trails that meander through the park. Opportunities for wildlife viewing are abundant—huge deer, wild turkeys, and coyote are everywhere. A favorite event for horsemen at the park benefits St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and is one of the most well-attended equine-oriented fundraisers for the organization. Mule-driven wagon rides, horseback rides, dinner, and a live auction have enticed even the physicians at St. Jude to become annual participants.

To Do

CANOE OUTFITTERS Quapaw Canoe Company (870-228-2266; www.island63.com), 411 Ohio Street, Helena–West Helena. Finally, there is an outfitter on the Mississippi River! The Quapaw Canoe Company opened in June 2008 and is the only outfitter on the lower Mississippi River. Helena is the only city directly on the river between Memphis and Vicksburg, making it a logical choice for the company. The Mighty Mississippi is not a solo gig for novice paddlers, however, and the owners caution that only those proficient in canoeing should attempt self-guided tours. Guided excursion options offered by Quapaw range from whole-day and half-day trips from Helena to multiday trips paddling the entire river. Fees include paddles, life jackets, and safety equipment. Quapaw Canoe is open Tuesday through Sunday 9–5 and by appointment.

GOLF The Ridges at Village Creek (870-238-6500; www.theridgesatvillagecreek.com), 4268 AR 284, Wynne. Open daily during spring and summer, excluding holidays, 6–7. Fall and winter play, weather permitting, is available Monday through Sunday 1–5. Even if you don’t play golf, you will love this course. They could make a small fortune just renting carts to tourists interested in driving the cart paths for one of the best driving tours of Crowley’s Ridge. Set on 600 acres next to Village Creek State Park, the striking green fairways cleared for play now allow for a clearer view under the lofty canopy of the Ridge’s trademark hardwood forest. The 7,449-yard, par 72 course features 27 holes designed by international developer and world-class golf course architect Andy Dye. Day rates for 18 holes re $39.50 Monday through Friday, $49 weekends. Twilight rates begin at 2 and are $27.50 Monday through Friday, $32.50 weekends.

Sage Meadows (870-932-4420; www.sagemeadows.com), 4406 Clubhouse Drive, Jonesboro. This Tommy Bolt signature links-style course with zoysia fairways, bent grass greens, and Bermuda roughs features water on 9 of the 18 holes and 37 sand bunkers. Sage Meadows is one of only 13 courses that make up the prestigious Arkansas Golf Trail. The course plays at roughly 6,900 yards and is consistently ranked among the top semiprivate golf courses in the state. With a full driving range, double end tees, and a short game practice area, Sage Meadows has been featured in golf magazines and offers great tournament play. Holes of note include the 6th hole, with its tight tee shot between water on the left and trees on the right; the course’s signature 9th hole, with its beautiful but treacherous water hazard from tee to green; and the 14th hole, which is considered one of the toughest on the course if not played properly. While tee times are preferred, walk-ups are allowed (but not easy). Proper golf attire is required, collared shirts and soft spikes only. Club facilities include a 5,000-plus-square-foot clubhouse with a fully stocked golf shop, grill and snack bar, and private lounge. Memberships for the private lounge are available to the general public for a nominal fee.

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center (870-933-6787; www.crowleysridge.org), 600 East Lawson Road, Jonesboro. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday 8:30–4, Sunday 1–5. Indoor and outdoor exhibits walk you through the history and geology of this unique natural region in Arkansas. Outdoor skills workshops are held throughout the year. A calendar on the center’s website will tell you what programs will be offered when you are in town. Walk into the main level of the center, where an exhibit hall and auditorium present the story of the Ridge’s formation and its wildlife through several hands-on exhibits and a special 16-minute feature film with animation and special effects that will shake you where you sit. Surround sound, sure, but it is also a fascinating story with Mother Nature playing the lead. A two-story diorama extends from the lower level of the center upward to the main level. The display explores the plants, animals, and hydrology native to the Ridge’s landscape.

Wild Places

Arkansas’s Game and Fish Commission is one of the largest land managers in the state, overseeing wildlife management areas, hunting and fishing permits, and the administration of outdoor safety programs. The agency’s website, www.agfc.com, is an excellent resource, and it even includes safety education videos.

Earl Buss Bayou DeView (1-877-972-5438; www.agfc.com/en/zone-map/688/). This wildlife management area lies along the Bayou DeView River from AR 17 to just north of AR 214. The Weiner area is one of the principal rice-producing areas in the state and is considered by many to be one of the best duck-hunting areas in Arkansas. This management area is one of the few remaining blocks of bottomland hardwood timber left in western Poinsett County and still provides good quality waterfowl hunting. Lake Hogue is a 300-acre impoundment located on the east side of the bayou across from the south end of the Oliver tract. Access to the lake is off AR 49, about 2 miles south of Weiner. Crappie, bream, bass, and catfish provide good fishing year-round. Primitive camping areas are provided on each of the management area’s three tracts. Except for graveled parking areas, there are no other improvements to camping facilities. Mosquitoes and biting flies are a nuisance in warm weather and insect repellent is essential. Venomous snakes, including cottonmouths, copperheads, and timber rattlers, are present. It is illegal to indiscriminately kill snakes, so they should be avoided and left alone when possible. The area can best be reached by county roads west out of Weiner on AR 49 or off AR 14 or AR 214.

St. Francis Wildlife Management Area (1-877-734-4581), AR 44, Marianna. This 20,946-acre forest, between the towns of Marianna and Helena–West Helena on the southern tip of Crowley’s Ridge, is bounded on the east and south by the L’Anguille, St. Francis, and Mississippi Rivers, Wire Road on the west, and Jeffersonville Road on the north. It consists of upland hardwood forests located on the hilly Crowley’s Ridge section, with approximately 2,500 acres of bottomland timber adjacent to the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers. The St. Francis has two manmade lakes, Bear Creek Lake and Storm Creek Lake, established in 1938 and opened for fishing in 1940 and 1942, respectively. Both provide fishing and other water-based recreational opportunities, along with some of the most intimately situated campsites in the state. Bear Creek Lake is located on the north end of the forest near Marianna. Storm Creek Lake is located on the southern end, near Helena, making it a popular choice for campers attending the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in the fall. The campsites at both Bear Creek and Storm Creek Lakes are semiprivate, meaning there are restrooms, tent pads, trailer areas, grills, picnic tables, and water sources, but no electricity. Both lakes have been stocked with bass, bream, crappie, and catfish, and Storm Creek with hybrid striped bass. Hiking trails have been established near the campgrounds on Bear Creek, where birdwatchers and wildlife photographers have ample opportunities to see and photograph wildlife, songbirds, and other nongame species. Beaver Pond on the east side along the St. Francis River has been stocked with alligators, and eagles have been sighted around the Bear Creek area.

A race of Indians known as the Mound Builders once inhabited the area. Their dead were buried in mounds, along with implements considered necessary for existence in another world. In 1961, archaeologists investigating a large mound near Helena found that these people were of a race much older than the American Indian. A French trading post was established above Helena in 1766; it later became Montgomery’s Point, one of the most noted landings on the Mississippi River. The first white settlement was near the mouth of the St. Francis River, which has since been taken by the Mississippi River. It is said that the first white child born at this settlement was supposedly the first white child born in Arkansas. Two cemeteries with stones dating back to the early 1800s remind hikers and history buffs of the area’s previous residents. This wildlife management area is accessible by AR 44 from Marianna and by AR 1 and AR 242 from Helena–West Helena.

St. Francis Sunken Lands (1-877-972-5438). This area can be reached off several state highways from south of Paragould to Marked Tree. Major access points are the Siphons Access off AR 63 near Marked Tree, Oak Donnick Access south of Trumann off AR 63 near Tulot, and Stephens Landing off AR 69 east of Trumann. The east side of the area may be reached by either of two county roads off AR 135 between Caraway and Rivervale. However, the best access to the interior of the area is by boat at ramps provided at Siphons Access, Oak Donnick Access, Stephens Landing, Mangrum Landing, Iron Bridge Access, and Lake City AR 18 bridge access. The Sunken Lands were the result of the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812. The lower end of the floodway contains St. Francis Lake, which is a large, open expanse of water. In reality, St. Francis Lake is a wide part of the St. Francis River. While the lake is fairly shallow due to accelerated silt deposits over the years, it still provides good catfish, bass, bream, and crappie fishing. Access to the lake may be obtained from either the Siphons Access or Oak Donnick Access. The area offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird-watching. The Payneway Moist Soil Unit located on the west side of the river, just north of the St. Francis Lake control structure, hosts a variety of shorebirds, eagles, and several duck species. The area is flooded annually from October through February to provide wintering habitat for migrant birds and ducks. The area’s designation as a waterfowl rest area protects them from hunting, and as many as 50,000 ducks are commonly seen here. Bottomland hardwoods make up the primary species of timber types associated with the area and include white oak, red oak, hickory, locust, cottonwood, bald cypress, tupelo, elm, sycamore, and pecan.

For the L’Anguille and St. Francis Rivers, see “Exploring by River.”

LAKE POINSETT STATE PARK

STATE PARKS Crowley’s Ridge State Park (870-573-6751; www.arkansasstateparks.com/crowleysridge), 2092 AR 168 North, Paragould. Crowley’s Ridge State Park in northeast Arkansas is a recreationally oriented park on 291 acres with a rich social and geological history. The park, situated on land that was homesteaded by nineteenth-century pioneer Benjamin F. Crowley, also preserves the structures built by young men in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Four CCC structures within the park—a bridge on the main park road, a bathhouse, the CCC comfort station, and the Group Lodge dining hall—are on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of the spring and tree-shaded grounds at Crowley’s homestead, the site became a traditional summer campground, picnic site, and gathering place. Thus, it was the first choice of area residents when the state started accepting lands for public parks, and on July 21, 1933, it became the fourth of Arkansas’s state parks. A massive stone-and-log CCC bathhouse/pavilion remains the focal point of the park, which also has a 31-acre fishing lake built in the mid-1960s. Four fully equipped cabins with kitchens, bunk cabins for group lodging, and 26 campsites offer visitors diverse lodging opportunities at the park. Picnic areas, a snack bar, hiking trails, and a 3.5-acre swimming lake round out the day-use facilities at the park. Crowley’s Ridge State Park has 26 campsites: 18 offer electricity and water ($17 per night), and 8 tent sites are without hook-ups ($10). Cabin rates vary by occupancy and season; online booking is available on the park’s website.

Lake Frierson State Park (870-932-2615, www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakefrierson), 7904 AR 141, Jonesboro. This park, located on the shore of 335-acre Lake Frierson, not only attracts visitors to the Natural State for year-round fishing but also draws the locals looking for fun and recreation. Bream, catfish, crappie, and bass satisfy those that want to wet their hook; fishing boats, kayaks, and pedal boats extend the fun from the shore onto the water. The park’s resident gaggle of geese numbers about 40, and while they are not aggressive, they will waddle right up to you looking for food. (Park staff keep it handy; ask in the visitor center.) An enclosed climate-controlled pavilion with outdoor grill on the lake’s shore is an excellent spot for group gatherings in any season. The park’s half-mile-long Dogwood Lane is a self-guided interpretive trail with a 0.2-mile spur that leads to the visitor center. Along this trail you should also watch for deer, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, snakes, box turtles, songbirds, and wildflowers. This park is active in the community and offers several neat interpretive programs from which to choose: Dutch oven cooking workshops, hand-led horseback rides for kids, and kayak dinner cruises are just a few of the unique activities available at this park. The evening kayak tour is followed by a Dutch oven meal on the shoreline and an interpretive astronomy program. Of course, by the time you get to the stargazing portion of the evening, flat on your back is a great place to be!

Lake Poinsett State Park (870-578-2064; www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakepoinsett), 5752 State Park Lane, Harrisburg. This recreational park is a special getaway for anglers looking for bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. Fishing enthusiasts find the shallow waters of 640-acre Lake Poinsett excellent for catching a large stringer of these species. The park offers 29 campsites, two picnic areas, a nature/hiking trail, a playground, and a pavilion, all spread out over 132 acres. Boat and kayak rentals are available for water play. Interpretative programs are available throughout the year, including guided-kayak tours and annual special events. The park attracts over 93,000 visitors annually. Of the 29 campsites available, four have 50-amp electric and water ($21), 22 have 30-amp electric and water ($17), and three have no hook-ups at all ($10).

Village Creek State Park (870-238-9406; www.arkansasstateparks.com/villagecreek), 201 CR 754, Wynne. This beautiful park is 7,000 acres of outdoor fun in the heart of Crowley’s Ridge. Much of Village Creek remains in its natural state, and frequently the white-tailed deer seem to outnumber the guests at the park. The park has two lakes (Lake Dunn and Lake Austell) for fishing and boating, with bait, boats, motors, kayaks, and pedal boats available late spring through Labor Day. The 33-acre Lake Dunn is about as close as an adult can get to fishing in a barrel without embarrassment; catfish in the 30-pound range have been hooked, along with lunker bass and pan-sized crappie. For over 20 years, Dunn has been delighting fishermen with a steady yield of big Florida-strain largemouth bass. Since 1987, dozens of over-8-pound bass have been caught in Lake Dunn. Lake Austell, at 85 acres, made headlines in 1989, when a 15-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass was hooked by a lucky angler.

PRO TIP: Village Creek State Park is a great place for fall color. The last couple of weeks in October through the first week in November typically fall within peak viewing time. Generous green space between cabins and campsites turns yellow and gold, tangibly tinting the air with soft, warm light. On the Ridge, fall color isn’t viewed from vistas but from within its forests, along its footpaths, and while boating its lakes and rivers.

The park has 10 fully equipped cabins with kitchens, flat-screen televisions, fireplaces, and screened-in porches. The park visitor center features an A/V theater, gift shop, and bicycle rentals in addition to year-round interpretive programs. Camping options at Village Creek include 24 with 50-amp electric, water, and sewer ($27 a day), 5 with 50-amp electric and water ($21), and 67 with 30-amp electric and water ($17) for RVs, tents, and horse campers.

Mississippi River State Park (870-238-2188; www.arkansasstateparks.com/mississippiriver), 2675 AR 44, Marianna. A special-use permit from the US Forest Service paved the way for Arkansas State Parks to develop state park facilities within the St. Francis National Forest near Marianna. With 20,946 acres available, Mississippi River State Park’s development plan is scheduled to occur in three phases; the first project, the new Beech Point Campground at Bear Creek Lake, reopened under the state park management system in October 2015. The 625-acre lake lies within the north end of the St. Francis National Forest, and two national scenic byways—the Great River Road and the Crowley’s Ridge Parkway—pass nearby. More than 15 miles of shoreline make for an abundance of good fishing for big bluegill and redear when the fish are in shallow water on the spawning beds. Look for beds of spawning fish on the gradually sloping banks, particularly near points, and also in the backs of the wider (and therefore shallower) coves. Abundant wildlife readily seen in the national forest includes white-tailed deer, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, wild turkey, and a wide variety of other birds. Swimming and hiking are available at the lake, as are three campgrounds (41 individual campsites and 1 group site) that remain open year-round. No bathhouses are available, and the campgrounds rely on vault-style toilets. The only hook-ups available are for water at 17 campsites ($4).

Lodging

BED & BREAKFAST INNS Edwardian Inn (870-338-9155; www.edwardianinn.com), 317 Biscoe Street, Helena. William Short built this Colonial Revival in 1904 as a family home for his wife and two daughters. Mr. John Crow’s hospitality and the home’s exquisite restoration and antique furnishings invite guests to immerse themselves in the South’s relaxed pace and impeccable social graces. The earthy hues of quarter-sawn paneling used extensively throughout the house provide an elegant backdrop for its ornate antiques, luxurious drapery, and richly upholstered parlor. The huge porch that wraps around its sunny yellow exterior is sanctuary to spectators and storytellers on warm summer nights. One of the most unusual features of this property is the flooring—wood carpeting that was made of parquet from 1-inch wooden strips and mounted on canvas, then shipped from Germany on rolls. The Edwardian’s nine rooms and three suites, each with separate bath, feature portraits of historically prominent southerners among their historical appointments. Modern conveniences, such as Wi-Fi, have been thoughtfully grandfathered into the home’s modernization. Rates for the nine guest rooms start at $85; the three suites lease for $115 daily, with special packages available for extended stays. Smoking and pets are not allowed; obedient children are welcome. $–$$.

Where to Eat

EATING OUT Bailee Mae’s (870-753-2809 or 870 338-2725; www.baileemaes.com), 209 Rightor Street, Helena. Open Monday through Friday 7–2, Saturday 8–1. Bailee Mae’s is housed in the historic Lewis Supply Building in downtown Helena–West Helena. High ceilings and large windows fill the dining room with light. Exposed brick and duct work give the restored space an edgy, updated look. Owners opened Bailey Mae’s to fill a void in town and provide locals and tourists with a specialty coffee shop in the morning that became a wine and craft beer bar in the evening. The menu is small, but the dishes are well prepared. Burgers and sandwiches, cactus chili, and exotic flatbreads provide a wide variety of flavors and appeal to the most discriminating palate. $–$$.

Granny Dee’s Soul Food (870-817-0200), 426 Cherry Street, Helena–West Helena. Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch; hours vary, but Granny will usually hang around until 2 p.m. or so on weekdays and 3 p.m. on the weekends. Granny Dee has the last remaining soul food restaurant in town. Sure, some folks bring out their grills for the blues festival, but Granny Dee is the only one you can count on like, well, your granny. Everything is fresh from the garden (or barn) and made from scratch by Granny Dee. Her maternal instincts kick in every half hour or so, and she emerges from her kitchen to mingle with diners and take pictures with tourists. Crispy, Southern-fried catfish and tangy BBQ ribs are staples on the lunch buffet, which includes a variety of salads and vegetable sides. Daily specials include pork chops, glazed ham, and chicken-fried steaks. Golden and flaky fruit cobbler tempts diners to loosen their belt buckles to sample the perfect rendition of this sweet Southern specialty. Menu items are all less than $10. $.

Pasquale’s Original Tamales (870-338-1109; www.sucktheshuck.com), 1005 Highway 49, Helena–West Helena. These legendary packets of beef and spices are sold from a concession stand from 10:30–5 on Friday and Saturday. The rest of the week, you will have to order them from their website. If you are in Helena, you owe it to yourself to try them fresh. Pasquale St. Colombia migrated to the town from Italy in the late 1800s. He supported himself and his family by feeding the Hispanic migrant workers tending fields in the area. Pasquale was a friendly guy, and his ability to speak Italian enabled him to communicate with and befriend the workers. Soon they were sharing the techniques and recipes for their native dishes, and St. Colombia began to put his spin on the tamale, crafting a process that took three days to complete. In the 1940s, Pasquale built a commercial building and leased space to Maggie and Eugene Brown. Using Pasquale’s recipe, the couple operated Elm Street Tamale Shop for 20 years. In the ’60s, the Brown family died off and the business did, too. It would lay dormant for 30 years until Joe St. Colombia decided to retire from his career in beer distribution to revive the family business. Joe and his wife, Joyce, tinkered with the recipe a bit, perfecting the spice blend and settling on sirloin for the beef filling. The tamales are soaked for six hours in a broth so tasty customers commonly suck the cooking liquid from the shucks that encase them. Thus the company’s tagline: “So good you will suck the shuck.” Pasquale’s tamales have no preservatives and are flash-frozen following steaming to ensure their flavor holds for shipping. While they are best when eaten at the stand fresh from the pan, there is a reason thousands are shipped around the country every year. $–$$.

Red Goose Deli (870-236-6223), 117 Pruett Street, Paragould. Open daily for lunch and dinner. If you like a little froufrou in your menu, the Red Goose Deli in downtown Paragould should suit your taste. It’s not that the menu is so nouveau cuisine, it’s more about the detail to the recipes. The sauces are just a little more complex, prepared by experienced hands, and feature fresh, locally grown ingredients. The house specialty sandwich, the Red Goose Royale, is a turkey and ham combination with a creamy parmesan spinach dressing and just a hint of jalapeño. The turkey and ham are folded side by side, a sophisticated twist. The homemade potato chips served on the side are crisp and perfectly seasoned. (Eat them while they are hot!) There is a daily special, and they are known for their hamburger steaks at night. Desserts are prepared fresh in-house every day and are well worth a doggie bag for half your sandwich if necessary. Soups, salads, and sandwiches are under $10. Dinner meals average $20 per person, including your non-alcoholic beverage. $.

DINING OUT The Bistro Bar and Grill (870-572-9707, www.cityofhelenawesthelena.com/Bistro.html), 213 Plaza Street, Helena–West Helena. This little café in downtown Helena serves baskets with shrimp or chicken, mini cheeseburgers and sandwiches, as well as appetizers like nachos or chips with homemade salsa. They have a happy hour daily from 5–7p.m., and daily specials include porterhouse steaks, chicken and waffles, and catfish platters. $–$$

AWARD-WINNING CAJUN CRAWFISH IN THE DELTA

Cajun Express (870-457-2572), 5018 North AR 78, Wheatley. Cajun Express is the definition of destination dining. Located 4 miles north of the intersection of I-40 and AR 78, you could easily fly right by it if you didn’t know where to look. But of course, now you will know. Robin and Randy Gehring are the chief cooks, bottle washers, and mudbug runners for the restaurant. Or at least from early spring to late June, when they harvest their own crawfish from the large agriculture pond behind their restaurant. And if you come through at the right time, or call ahead, you can hop on Randy’s Inspector Gadget–like mudbug boat and go along for the ride. You will launch from the bank, so lean back when the boat enters the water, as your seat will get wet if water flows over the bow. If you are interested, one of them will find the time to show you their process from pond to pot. Everything that comes out of the kitchen has been prepared by Robin or Randy. “We decided when we started that we would succeed or fail by our own hands,” Robin explains. That’s the reason Cajun Express is only open two days a week: Friday and Saturday from 4:30–9:30 p.m. The menu is as you would expect from a restaurant with “Cajun” in the name, but prepare yourself for truly championship cooking. This Arkansas couple riled more than a few in Louisiana when they won the National Crawfish Boil down there in 2006. The decor is east Arkansas hunting lodge, with trophy fish and game mounted on the walls among photos of their neighbors and kids. Large, recycled tomato cans hold condiments and paper towels, and may get in the way when the waitress brings your food. It’s hard to beat certified Angus beef, but you can put theirs up against the best of them. They refuse to reveal the spices they rub on the beef prior to cooking, but steak sauce would be a tragic waste in this case. Crawfish are served almost every way you can imagine—boiled, fried, in gumbo, and étouffée—and if you have never enjoyed a crawfish pie, this would be the time to try it. The tails are placed in a flaky torte shell with a cream base, covered with cheese, and baked until golden bubbly. Frog legs are lightly breaded, fried crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, and without a drop of grease to spare. Robin recently added Gator Balls to the menu, and they are already a local favorite. Picture a cross between a hush puppy and a crabcake and served with a Thai-inspired plum dipping sauce. The dessert menu changes daily, but if the pineapple cream cheese pie is available when you are there, get it to go. You won’t have room to eat for a day or so, and it is not to be missed. $–$$$.

Selective Shopping

Bubba’s Blues Corner (870-338-3501) 105 Cherry Street, Helena. Open Monday through Friday 10–5, Saturday 10–2. When your shop is located on historic Cherry Street, just down the road from the studio where “Sunshine” Sonny Payne broadcast the longest-running blues radio program in the world, you meet a lot of blues musicians. You make a lot of friends, and you pick up unique memorabilia and hard-to-find music. Since opening in 1987, Bubba Sullivan’s corner of the shop has grown in area and global recognition. Musicians and collectors from around the world have shared their music, their memorabilia, and their love of the genre and its history with Bubba and his customers. Look for great advice on music to buy and great gift ideas for the music lovers in your life.

Special Events

May: Loose Caboose Festival (870-240-0544; www.loosecaboose.net), Paragould. Paragould’s Loose Caboose Festival is the largest free music festival in the area, including bluegrass, rock, karaoke, and country, all leading up to Saturday night’s featured entertainer. The festival also includes a 5K walk/run, large children’s area, bike ride, fish fry, the state’s largest Ferris wheel, and an incredible petting zoo.

THE BIGGEST, THE BEST, THE BISCUIT

The King Biscuit Blue Festival (870-572-5223, kingbiscuitfestival.com), downtown Helena. Visit their website for dates, times, and lineup. There are those who note the passing of summer and arrival of fall by the changing color of the foliage as the nights grow cooler and shorter. However, blues lovers are more likely to see the fluffy, white tufts of cotton lining the two-lane backroads of Arkansas as signs that October has arrived, bringing with it a pilgrimage of musicians and fans to the town that first gave the genre national and international exposure. On November 21, 1941, King Biscuit Time aired its first broadcast, featuring Sonny Boy Williams and Robert Lockwood Jr. playing live in the KFFA studio in Helena. The 30-minute-long live program was named after its sponsor, King Biscuit Flour, which was distributed by the Interstate Grocer Company. KFFA was the only station in the country to broadcast music by African Americans, and it aired at 12:15 p.m. daily to coincide with Delta workers’ lunch breaks. Jim O’Neal, blues historian and founding editor of Living Blues magazine, credits the program with linking the genre to the region. B. B. King, Robert Nighthawk, James Cotton, and Ike Turner have all credited the show with inspiring their careers. Helena became a stopping point for Delta blues artists traveling through the area on their way to the clubs in Chicago and Memphis. The program is now the nation’s longest-running radio show, eclipsing mainstream standout American Bandstand and the legendary country program, Grand Ole Opry.

By the mid-1980s, Helena’s once bustling economy was stagnant, as businesses closed and city leaders were at a loss as to how they could slow the exodus and shore up its financial resources. Small towns were encouraged to develop festivals to draw locals into town and attract visitors to support their remaining businesses with their tourism dollars. The Sonny Boy Blues Society saw an opportunity to solidify the town’s musical heritage, and in 1986 the King Biscuit Blues Festival was born. The festival annually draws legendary performers like Dave Mason and Steve Cropper, Taj Mahal, and Bonnie Raitt to its headliner’s stage, and it is also a proving ground for up-and-comers who set their own stage on Cherry Street.

June: Annual Wynne Farm Fest (870-238-4183), downtown Wynne. This family-friendly event features live entertainment, music, arts and crafts, children’s games, food, a 5K walk/run, PBJ Happee Days Carnival, and more. Free admission.

September: Annual Pumpkin Hollow Pumpkin Patch (870-598-3568; www.pumpkinhollow.com), 610 CR 336, Piggott. Visitors are welcomed by colorful gourd-head scarecrows who invite you to sit with them for a photo opportunity. This is your chance to participate in corn mazes, hayrides, catfish feeding, pony rides (weekends), pig scrambles (weekends), farm animals, Li’l Kids Spookhouse, Fairytale Forest, kids’ train ride, and more. Shop for pumpkins, mums, cornstalks, gourds, T-shirts, and souvenirs. Sample a slice of homegrown pumpkin pie or pumpkin roll.