Tri-County Regional Library System Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, May 21st at 5 p.m. at the Mineral Springs Library. Financial and other business will be discussed.
Marilyn B. Archer, MLS
Director
Tr-County Regional Library System
Serving 11 Public Libraries in SW AR in Howard, Little River and Sevier Counties
Celebrating Heritage Trades: 3rd Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival Scheduled for April 20, 2024
The City of Washington, Arkansas, in partnership with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation and Historic Washington State Park, will host the 3rd Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival on April 20, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The festival will celebrate James Black, the bladesmith who forged the first Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie in Washington, and promote a variety of Arkansas heritage crafts and trades.
The festival will be held throughout the City of Washington, including the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades, the W.P.A. Gymnasium, Washington Pavilion, the Old Town Square, and the midway area near the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse.
A star-studded lineup of celebrity guests will be in attendance at the festival for guests to meet, including Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid star and outdoor survivalist Melissa Miller (Melissa Backwoods) and History Channel's Forged in Fire stars Jason Knight and Doug Marcaida. Several world-class bladesmiths will also be on hand, showcasing their knives and telling the stories behind each blade.
Exhibits and workshops, period music, a knife show, and a knife cutting competition organized by “National Living Treasure” and Mastersmith Jerry Fisk and former ‘Forged in Fire’ champion Ricardo Vilar, both of Nashville, Arkansas, will be features of the festival.
Former resident Mastersmith at the Historic Arkansas Museum and Arkansas Living Treasure, Lin Rhea, will exhibit and demonstrate his bladesmith skills at the festival. In addition, knifemakers from nine states will attend to sell and showcase their work, and craft vendors will teach techniques of their trades. Other folk artisans will contribute to the festival by displaying and selling heritage crafts.
One of Arkansas’s best stories is of James Black, who forged the Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie around 1830. Black’s version of the Bowie Knife was a long, wide, and sharp blade that was strong yet flexible, topped with a coffin-shaped handle of black walnut embellished with silver studs. Jim Bowie was pleased with the knife, which became his fighting weapon used at the Alamo and in skirmishes along the way.
Re-enactors will narrate the story of Jim Bowie’s travels and the importance of the Bowie Knife. Visitors can also learn how to forge a blade at the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades, where the legend of the Bowie Knife lives on.
Guests will experience heritage/folk art, crafts, music, and dance in the unique atmosphere of a historically preserved community. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn from the past and enhance their appreciation for many genres of Arkansas heritage. There will be a dedicated kids’ corner where children can learn about heritage crafts and take home a free wooden replica Bowie knife. A variety of food vendors will also be part of the festival.
The festival will showcase a display of authentic James Black crafted knives and other antique Bowie knives hosted by Mark Zalesky of KNIFE Magazine. Mark will also host a "knife roadshow" for visitors, so bring a knife or two to be evaluated by one of the best knife historians in the country.
In addition, we are thrilled to announce that America's Auctioneer, Myers Jackson, will be conducting a live auction at this year’s festival. Join us in this exciting and enjoyable atmosphere as we raise funds for a noble cause. Myers Jackson will captivate the audience with thrilling bidding opportunities, ensuring lucky bidders walk away with incredible treasures to cherish. Don't miss your chance to bring home these valuable items!
Admission is free. Parking for the festival will be $6.00.
For more information, call 870-648-5084 or visit facebook.com/visitwashingtonar
One of the many activities we have at the festival. This was the "Quick Fire challenge" where students from the James Black school of Bladesmithing had to forge a blade to meet the special weapons testing we had for them. Always unique and fun!
The 3rd Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival is back on April 20, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., hosted by the City of Washington, Arkansas, in partnership with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation and Historic Washington State Park. This festival celebrates James Black, the legendary bladesmith who forged the first Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie in Washington.
The festival will take place across various locations in the City of Washington, including the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades, the W.P.A. Gymnasium, Washington Pavilion, the Old Town Square, and the midway area near the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse.
Meeting Place: 1874 Courthouse Visitor Center
Solar eclipses of all types happened in Arkansas and across the United States in the 19th century. Two documented total solar eclipses crossed portions of Arkansas in 1834 and 1918. Learn about some of the significant total solar eclipses that happened in the United States history. In 1854, some of the first photographs were taken of a total solar eclipse that crossed portions of the United States. Reprints of maps and newspaper accounts of these events will be on display as part of the exhibit.
56th Annual Jonquil Festival
March 15-16, 2024
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Since 1969, Washington, Arkansas, has attracted thousands of visitors for the annual Jonquil Festival. Initially inspired by settlers who planted these flowers in the area for over a century, the festival emerged to celebrate this longstanding tradition. The park, named Old Washington then, called the first festival the Jonquil and Daffodil Festival, which lasted eight days. That was until the 1970s when the park changed the festival to three days, and the name changed to the Jonquil Festival. Now, the festival is a two-day event. However, the length of the festival or the name change does not alter the fact that it is still a premier festival in southwest Arkansas. So join us in March for another great festival in this historic town. Also, check out the Arkansas State Park website for all the other great events happening throughout our park and the state in the coming weeks and months.
De Queen, AR – Join Christy Gallegos, FNP, and the gang at Healthcare Express De Queen on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm for a life-saving blood drive.
Why Donate? Your blood donation directly contributes to the well-being of our community. Help us reach our goal of collecting ten units, with a stretch target of 12 volunteers.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Healthcare Express De Queen, 1021 W Collin Raye Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
Join the Celebration: Refreshments, snacks, and a free LifeShare t-shirt for each donor. Your support is crucial in our mission to save lives.
How You Can Participate: Visit our website for more information and to schedule your blood donation appointment.
About Healthcare Express De Queen: Dedicated to providing quality healthcare services, our mission is to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our community. Let's make a difference together on February 16. See you there! For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.gohce.com/blog/healthcare-express-de-queen-hosts-life-saving-blood-drive-join-us-on-february-16/
The Moonlighters EHC will sponsor a LifeShare blood drive on Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Center Point Community Center. All donors are asked to bring their donor card or other identification. For more information, call Cindy Harding at 870-451-3179. A drawing will be held at the end of the blood drive....one donor will receive a certificate for two free burgers, fries and drinks compliments of the Center Point Store.
