LITTLE ROCK — 1. Fire. Did you know there was a Revolutionary Warengagement in Arkansas? On April 17, 1783, British partisans attacked Arkansas Post and the Spanish fort. The Arkansas Post National Memorial in Gillett will remember the attack with a 225th Anniversary Commemoration, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The celebration will begin with a special ceremony featuring speaker Morris S. Arnold and the placing of memorial wreaths. Starting at noon, living history demonstrations, Colonial children’s games and storytelling will entertain visitors. A crew will fire the park’s 18th-century cannon every hour. Admission is free. Call (870) 548-2207.

2. Play on. The Conway Symphony Orchestra will letguests get up close and personal with the instruments at The Symphony All Around You, 2 p.m. Saturday. This family concert will feature video close-ups of the musicians as they perform. After the concert, the audience is invited to a reception hosted by mascot Penny Pockets. Refreshments will be served and children will get to “meet” the instruments. The performance is in the Reynolds Performance Hall, University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Admission is $5. Call (501) 450-3265 or (501) 269-1066.

3. Be festive. Musicians and music lovers are descending on Mountain View for the annual Arkansas Folk Festival, through Sunday. In addition to scheduled acts at the courthouse stage and in local theaters, informal picking sessions will spring up all over downtown. There will also be a parade, arts and crafts and the Ozark Folk Center State Park will offer free admission.

The bulk of activities take place Saturday. Admission is free. Visit www.ozarkget aways.com or call (870) 269-8068.

If that’s not enough festival fun for you, Star City is pulling out all the stops for its big Star Daze celebration, which includes a carnival, music and Civil War re-enactment, today-Saturday. Call (870) 628-3100.

Or, there’s the Great Cotter Trout Festival with barbecue, boat shows and demonstrations, today-Saturday in Cotter. Call (870) 435-6144. Both have free general admission.

4. Fill a tummy. Art and food come together at theEmpty Bowls art auction and charity fundraiser, 6:30-9:30 p.m. today at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Napa Valley Drive. At this benefit for the Arkansas Foodbank Network, guests can bid on artwork and celebritysigned bowls while listening to music and enjoying food from local restaurants. Admission is $50. Visit www.arkansasfood bank.org or call (501) 565-8121.5Speed. Small fry can take off at the CASA Pedal CarRace, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the River Market East Pavilion. Sponsored by Court Appointed Special Advocates, this event features a racetrack for smaller children to speed along on tricycles or pedal cars. There will also be a concert by Brian and Terri Kinder, zoo animals, police cars, fire- trucks and booths. General admission is free. Rides on thetrack are $1 per ride or $5 for unlimited rides. Call (501) 340-6946 or (501) 661-1077.

6. Pay up. Support art in schools and maybe findsomething for your wall at the 10th annual Pulaski Heights Picassos, 6-9 p.m. Saturday at Ricks Armory. Works by adult and student artists from Pulaski Heights Elementary School, as well as artists from across Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas will be sold in live and silent auctions. Lithographs by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall and Joan Miro will be included in the live auction. Proceeds benefit school programs including arts, Spanish and teacher grants. Tickets are $10, $5 for children. Call (501) 661-1931.

7. Swing. Hear what Arkansas students can do at the Arkansas Scholastic Jazz Festival. Jazz ensembles from Arkansas colleges and high schoolswill meet on the Arlington Lawn in downtown Hot Springs to show off for the crowds.

Listeners are invited to bring lawn chairs and picnic lunches.

Performances start at 11 a.m.

Saturday, continuing throughout the afternoon. Admission is free. Call (501) 767-0211.

8. Kick it. Don your kilt and head to Batesville for theScottish Festival at Lyon College, 2300 Highland Road.

Activities Saturday and Sunday will include sheepdog demonstrations, dancing, children’s games, athletic competitions and pipe band demonstrations.

Gates open at 8 p.m. Admission Saturday is $14, $10 for students. Sunday admission is $10, $8 for students. Children 12 and under are free. Visit www.lyon.edu/scotfest or call (870) 307-7473.

9. Think ahead. The Little Rock Zoo gets a jump onEarth Day and invites everyoneto Party for the Planet. This celebration featuring exhibits, displays and games is open to school groups today and to the public Saturday. Zoo hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $8, $6 for ages 60 and older and children 12 and under.

Call (501) 666-2406.

10. Run for it. Get some exercise for a good causeat the third annual Miles for Missions 5K race and 1.5-mile fun run/walk presented by Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. The race begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the church, 4823 Woodlawn Drive. Registration in advance is $20 for the 5K, $15 for the fun run. Race day registration is $30 and $20. Proceeds benefit PHUMC Youth mission work and the Harmony Health Clinic. Visit www.phumc.com or call (501) 664-3600.

E-mail things to do to: jnixon@arkansasonline.com

This article was published Friday, April 18, 2008.

Weekend, Pages 70 on 04/18/2008

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