AGP Executive Report

Little Rock Festival: Arkansas PRIDEFest returns Oct. 15–18 with four days of events in downtown Little Rock, including performances, a parade and advocacy activities. Scenic Road Trip: ARDOT’s new Explore AR Highways quest invites visitors to photograph five destinations, from the Pig Trail Scenic Byway to the Cossatot River; the first 250 to finish can claim a commemorative coin. Trail Spotlight: Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag, offers a roughly three-mile hike to a famed Buffalo River-area overlook. The access road can be steep and slippery, so an AWD vehicle is recommended. Ozark Stop: The Oark General Store, open since 1890, draws travelers for home-style food and pie amid the Ozark National Forest. Outdoor Events: Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley have fall hikes, campfire s’mores and the Bear Hollow Hootenanny fundraiser on the calendar this week.

Scenic Drives: ARDOT’s new Explore AR Highways quest invites residents and visitors to photograph five destinations, including the Pig Trail Scenic Byway and Cossatot River. The first 250 to finish can claim a commemorative coin. Buffalo River Country: Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag, offers a roughly three-mile hike to a famed overlook; the steep, muddy access road can be challenging, and all-wheel drive is recommended. Ozark Food Stop: The Oark General Store, open since 1890, draws travelers for its home-style meals and pies after a winding drive through the Ozark National Forest. Little Rock Landmark: A $10 million Jones family donation will help modernize the Clinton Presidential Center and redesign its 50-acre park, with plans for new exhibits and expanded educational spaces. Diamond Country: A visitor to Crater of Diamonds State Park found a 6.03-carat yellow diamond, spotlighting the Arkansas attraction where visitors can keep what they find.

Diamond Country: A Missouri visitor’s 6.03-carat yellow diamond find at Crater of Diamonds State Park is putting Arkansas’s one-of-a-kind gem-hunting experience in the spotlight. Little Rock Landmark: The Clinton Foundation received a $10 million gift to modernize the Clinton Presidential Center, including new galleries and a redesign of its 50-acre park. Outdoor Trails: Bella Vista plans to celebrate a Razorback Greenway extension, while new connections near Lake Maumelle are drawing more people onto Little Rock-area trails. Festivals & Culture: The Ozark Folk Center’s Stringband Music & Arts Festival and Northwest Arkansas Community College’s Fall Fest added seasonal reasons to explore the state. Tourism Economy: Fort Smith metro tourism jobs reached a record in August, a sign of continued growth for the region’s visitor industry.

Outdoor Access: Bella Vista will open a one-mile Razorback Greenway extension on Oct. 20, bringing the paved Northwest Arkansas trail to 41 miles. New connections near Lake Maumelle are also drawing Little Rock-area hikers outdoors. Hot Springs History: A Garland County Historical Society program on Oct. 13 will explore the Jack Tar Courts and Hotel, a landmark lodging complex that helped welcome visitors arriving by car from Little Rock. Tourism Economy: Fort Smith-area tourism jobs reached a record in August, according to a recent report. Visitor Events: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks recently hosted its 10th annual international festival, highlighting Northwest Arkansas’s cultural diversity.

Hot Springs History: A Garland County Historical Society program on Oct. 13 will explore the Jack Tar Courts and Hotel, a landmark motor-court complex that drew visitors arriving by car from the 1940s onward. Trails: Bella Vista plans to open a one-mile Razorback Greenway extension on Oct. 20, bringing the paved route to 41 miles; new connections near Little Rock’s Lake Maumelle also offer more ways to explore outdoors. Road-trip Buzz: A German visitor’s posts from Little Rock and Hot Springs showcased Arkansas scenery and attractions to a wider audience. Fall Outings: The Stringband Music & Arts Festival returns to the Ozark Folk Center, while a statewide weekend roundup highlights seasonal events. Tourism Jobs: Fort Smith-area tourism employment reached a new high in August, according to a recent report.

Outdoor Recreation: Drought is making water management difficult at Arkansas wildlife areas, complicating preparations for duck season. Officials say dry soil and costly pumping are limiting water supplies for hunting habitat. Little Rock Green Space: A $100 million Bezos Earth Fund investment will help turn a former freeway ramp into a 20-acre downtown park, linking the Clinton Presidential Center with Riverfront Park and extending the city’s riverfront green space. Fayetteville Events: The University of Arkansas’ Chile Pepper Festival brought more than 200 high school and college teams to town for its annual cross-country races. Ozark Culture: The Stringband Music & Arts Festival returned to the Ozark Folk Center over the weekend, adding live music and arts programming to the fall events calendar.

Little Rock Green Space: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund is backing the first phase of 30 Crossing Park, a proposed 20-acre recreation and nature site on a former highway ramp that would help connect more than 100 acres of riverfront green space. Outdoor Access: New trail links near Lake Maumelle are drawing visitors beyond the city for hiking and nature outings. Fall Events: Northwest Arkansas Community College’s family-friendly Fall Fest, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks’ international festival and the Ozark Folk Center’s Stringband Music & Arts Festival give travelers timely reasons to explore the region. Tourism Industry: Fort Smith’s tourism jobs reached a record in August, signaling continued strength in the local visitor economy. Airport News: Rogers Executive Airport was named Arkansas Airport of the Year, while its manager received a statewide industry honor.

Travel Planning: Arkansas’ new MyArkansas app brings more than 50 state services together, including reservations for Arkansas State Parks lodging and purchases of hunting and fishing licenses. Outdoor Adventure: A new 13.5-mile trail network near Lake Maumelle opens Oct. 19, linking Blue Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge and Pinnacle Mountain with fresh hiking options just outside Little Rock. Roads and Air: Expect an eastbound lane closure on the I-30 Caddo River Bridge from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday for an inspection. Northwest Arkansas also faced an ozone advisory Friday, with sensitive groups urged to limit time outdoors. Arts and Events: The Stringband Music & Arts Festival returns to the Ozark Folk Center this weekend, while the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks hosts its 10th annual international festival. Heritage: A proposal to turn Little Rock’s 1827 Hinderliter Grog Shop into a working tavern has drawn concern from museum commissioners over protecting the historic building.

Outdoor Recreation: A new 13.5-mile trail network near Little Rock will open Oct. 19, linking Blue Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge and Pinnacle Mountain with rugged routes along Lake Maumelle. Visitor Services: Arkansas’ new MyArkansas app lets users book state park lodging alongside more than 50 other services, including hunting and fishing licenses. Heritage Tourism: A proposal to turn Little Rock’s 1827 Hinderliter Grog Shop into a tavern has drawn concern from museum commissioners, who worry renovations could damage the historic building. Fall Events: The Ozark Folk Center’s Stringband Music & Arts Festival and the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks’ international festival are among the recent draws for visitors. Tourism Economy: Fort Smith-area tourism jobs reached a new high in August, according to a recent report.

State Park Getaways: Arkansas’ new MyArkansas app puts more than 50 state services in one place, including booking state park lodging and campsites, buying hunting and fishing licenses, and checking revenue-office wait times. Northwest Arkansas Culture: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks’ 10th International Festival brought music, dance, food and local businesses together for a day celebrating the region’s cultural diversity. Ozark Folk Center: The Stringband Music & Arts Festival returns this weekend, offering visitors a taste of Arkansas roots music and arts. Travel Infrastructure: Rogers Executive Airport was named Arkansas Airport of the Year as operations and fuel sales continue to grow. Fall Outings: Arkansas’ weekend events lineup includes the MacArthur Museum’s vintage military vehicle show in Little Rock.

State Park Access: Arkansas’ new MyArkansas app brings more than 50 services to phones, including booking state park lodging and campsites and buying hunting and fishing licenses. Northwest Arkansas Culture: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks welcomed visitors to its 10th annual International Festival, with global food, music, dance and local vendors. Fall Plans: Arkansas weekend listings feature haunted attractions, festivals, scenic hikes, art displays and fun runs across the state through Oct. 11. Tourism Jobs: Fort Smith metro tourism employment reached a new high in August, a sign of continued strength in the area’s visitor economy.

Visitor Access: Jonesboro has begun a $5.5 million Caraway Road expansion, adding lanes and 1.5 miles of pedestrian paths to improve safety and ease traffic. Tourism Economy: Fort Smith’s leisure and hospitality sector reached a record 10,100 jobs in August, up 500 from a year earlier. Fall Attractions: Hot Springs’ Magic Springs is hosting Magic Screams on weekends through Nov. 1, with family activities by day and haunted attractions after dark. Outdoor Arkansas: A popular state park is stationing rescue teams on trails, while recent travel guides highlight Blanchard Springs Caverns and Sugar Loaf Mountain Island.

Outdoor Arkansas: Fall visitors can explore Blanchard Springs Caverns before planned state-park renovations, hike Sugar Loaf Mountain Island on Greers Ferry Lake, or tour Hot Springs’ Origami Sake brewery. One Arkansas park is also stationing rescue teams on trails, a reminder to plan ahead for outdoor adventures. Crater of Diamonds: A 6.03-carat yellow diamond found at the state park is drawing fresh attention to one of Arkansas’ most distinctive visitor attractions. Fall Events: A historic Arkansas national park is hosting a free fall festival, and Downtown El Dorado has announced its fall and holiday lineup.

HSA Retirement Tip: A new explainer breaks down how health savings accounts can be more than medical-bill savings—highlighting tax-free growth, no required minimum distributions, and using HSA funds for Medicare-related costs in retirement. Roads & Travel Safety: Hot Springs Village leaders urged Garland County to extend an expiring sales tax tied to road maintenance, arguing safer travel and better access could also boost local business. Earthquake Preparedness: Texarkana is reminding residents about International ShakeOut Day (Oct. 15), noting the region’s New Madrid Seismic Zone risk and encouraging simple drill-ready steps. Workplace Safety Tech: Bentonville’s Kwema won a national award for its smart badge reel designed to help staff call for help during tense situations. Downtown Pine Bluff Blues: Pine Bluff will expand its Delta Rhythm & Bayous blues attractions with $46,500 in grants, including a permanent exhibit honoring Bobby Rush and new artist banners. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports the week’s lowest premium and diesel deals in parts of Arkansas, with several counties seeing notable price points for road-trippers.

Travel & Air Access: United Airlines announced 18 new/returning routes from Newark, including multiple seasonal European additions—good news for Arkansans planning longer trips and for visitors connecting through the Northeast. Road Safety & Local Travel Disruptions: Pulaski County scheduled overnight ramp closures (10 p.m.–6 a.m.) Oct. 5–8 to test wrong-way detection systems on several I-430, I-57/67-167, and I-40 ramps. Tourism Jobs: Bass Pro Shops in Little Rock will hold a two-day hiring event Oct. 7–8 for 30 positions ahead of the holiday season and Santa’s Wonderland. Arts & Culture Stop: UAFS in Fort Smith will host “Arkansas Women to Watch 2026: Words Become Matter,” featuring artists’ books, starting Oct. 15 through Dec. 12. Outdoors & Research: UAM held a ribbon-cutting for the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center in Monticello, aiming to protect the state’s forests amid pests and climate stress. Family-Friendly Events: Jonesboro’s Main Street closes Monday for the Arkansas Graveler block party, with food and live music starting 5 p.m. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported the cheapest regular gas in Texarkana at $3.64 and noted statewide diesel and premium price fluctuations across multiple Arkansas counties.

Road & Rail Disruption: ARDOT says Highway 77 in West Memphis will close to through traffic between I-40 and Highway 191 starting Oct. 7, with access to local businesses maintained; the project is expected to reopen in mid-2028. Downtown Jonesboro Events: Main Street’s 200 block closes Monday from 4–9 p.m. for the Arkansas Graveler’s “Meet Me on Main,” with live music and pop-ups; the cycling ride kicks off Tuesday. Airport Update: Northwest Arkansas National Airport officials are pursuing a $41.7M federal low-interest TIFIA loan for a new concourse; U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says prospects look good after the Nov. 3 election. Outdoor & Active Travel: A Hill ’n Dale Hiking Club group hike is set for Wednesday on the Pigeon Roost Trail at Hobbs State Park; the Ozark Hill Hikers host a Springdale walk Saturday around Lake Springdale. Family Fun & Local Tourism: Texarkana’s second annual CHRISTUS St. Michael Fall Classic drew 179 pickleball players from across the region, including Little Rock and Dallas. Gem Tourism Spotlight: A Crater of Diamonds State Park visitor in Murfreesboro says his 6-carat find could be worth $1M, underscoring the park’s “dig and keep” draw.