This is who we are.
Through music, craft, food, and storytelling, the Arkansas Folklife Festival is a place where heritage comes to life—and where all Arkansans can see themselves reflected in the cultural landscape of their home.
Celebrating the living traditions that bind us
The Arkansas Folklife Festival honors the authentic voices, stories, and skills that have shaped our communities. We gather to celebrate music, food, craft, and the people who keep these traditions alive. This is a festival for everyone—a place where families discover the roots of our culture and where artists share the work of their hands and hearts.
Explore the place that made us
A note about the history of the festival grounds
Past and present connected
Today, visitors to Riverfront Park and the Arkansas River Trail are also standing within a landscape connected to one of the most painful chapters in American history. During the forced removals known collectively as the Trail of Tears, Cherokee people traveled westward along the Arkansas River by both land and water. In 1838, hundreds of Cherokee traveling aboard the steamboat Smelter camped on the north bank of the Arkansas River near present-day Riverfront Park. The site is now recognized as part of the National Park Service’s Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
The River
The Arkansas River was one of several removal routes used during this period. Families endured disease, hunger, uncertainty, and grief as they were forcibly displaced from their homelands in the Southeast. Along this river, stories of hardship and loss unfolded, but so too did stories of endurance, community, and cultural survival.
Today, the Arkansas River Trail welcomes walkers, cyclists, and visitors from across the state and nation. Yet beneath every mile of pavement is a much older story—a story of Native nations, river travel, trade, community, removal, survival, and continuing presence. The trail invites us not only to move through the landscape but also to remember those who traveled these same riverbanks under vastly different circumstances.
Acknolwedging the Land
As we gather for the Arkansas Folklife Festival, we acknowledge that this celebration takes place on lands shaped by generations of Indigenous peoples. We honor the Quapaw, Osage, Caddo, Cherokee, and other Native Nations whose histories remain woven into the Arkansas River and whose cultures continue to contribute to the living story of Arkansas today.
Understanding the history of this place deepens our appreciation for it. It reminds us that every gathering along this river is part of a much longer story—one that began long before us and continues into the future.
Festival leadership
Some of the people working behind the scenes to build this festival.
Rachel Reynolds is a folklorist, fiddler, and community-based cultural organizer who uses culture as a tool for empowerment and transformation.
Mandy Bowen is a retiree who served over 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and is now helping to get the first-ever Arkansas Folklife Festival upright and floating.
Danielle Woods is a detail-driven organizer who enjoys turning complex, fast-moving projects into clear, manageable systems that run smoothly behind the scenes.
Susan Erwin Prowse is a singer, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist who empowers artists and communities through music, education, and creative business strategy.
Olivia Trimble is the founder of Sleet City Creative, where she creates and facilitates public art, hosts workshops, and curates art events around Northwest Arkansas.
Founded by Britni and Karl Eggers, Wrenbird Design is a woman-owned design studio dedicated to helping brands grow through intentional design and clear strategy.
Join our team
We’re looking for passionate people to help us grow.
Where we gather together
Families discover roots. Elders share wisdom. Youth learn traditions.
Stay connected with our community.
The festival welcomes families from across Arkansas, offering engaging activities and spaces for everyone to connect and enjoy together.
volunteer with our team.
Join us in making the Arkansas Folklife Festival a success! Your passion for music, food, and crafts can help bridge generations and keep our traditions alive. Volunteer today and be part of this vibrant celebration.
Keep up to date.
Get the latest news, updates, and artist announcements from the festival. Sign up today.
Part of America 250
The Arkansas Folklife Festival is excited to announce our participation in Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, a series of programs and exchanges marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and showcasing the nation’s remarkable cultural landscape.
Celebrating living traditions
Voices of our communities
Stories passed down through generations
Questions
Find answers about the festival, its mission, and what makes it special.
It’s a free community celebration of folk arts, music, food, and craft traditions. The festival takes place June 26-28, 2026 in Riverfront Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. We gather musicians, craftspeople, culinary experts and more to honor authentic cultural practices and build connections across Arkansas.
We’re part of the national America 250 celebration marking 250 years of American history. Our festival highlights the folk traditions that have shaped Arkansas communities and continue to define who we are.
Yes! Admission is completely free for all three days. We believe folk arts belong to everyone, and we want families of all backgrounds to experience our celebration.
Riverfront Park is located in North Little Rock along the Arkansas River. Visit our Plan Your Visit page for parking details, transit information, and a grounds map.
Absolutely. The festival is designed for families. We have activities for all ages, shaded areas, and family-friendly programming throughout the weekend.
Yes. We feature food vendors showcasing traditional and contemporary folk cuisine. Check our Food Vendors page for menus and details about what to expect.
We'd love your help. Visit our Get Involved section to learn about volunteer opportunities, download our toolkit, and sign up for a role that fits your interests.
Yes. We offer ADA parking, accessible routes throughout the grounds, ASL interpretation, quiet spaces, and service animal accommodations. See our Accessibility page for full details.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about artists, schedule changes, and special announcements. You can subscribe on our home page or in the footer.
We welcome sponsors and partners who share our commitment to folk arts. Visit our Sponsors page to learn about sponsorship tiers and partnership opportunities.
Need more help?
Reach out to us directly with your questions.
Be part of something real
The festival happens because people like you show up and care about keeping traditions alive.