HARRISON, Ark. — An open invitation is being extended to join in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the designation of Buffalo National River, America’s First National River. To celebrate this historic milestone, the park is planning a series of event weekends throughout 2022. Preparation for and presentation of these events are made possible by the hard work and volunteerism of many park and community partners, including Buffalo National River Partners, Buffalo River Historic Jail and Museum, Arkansas Master Naturalists and Lucky Star Farm.
Buffalo National River superintendent Mark Foust says, “The creation of Buffalo National River was the first of its kind. We would love for our communities and park visitors to come celebrate this incredible park and what it has been, is, and will be. Please join us as we share the river, its resources, and history throughout the year. Just like the park itself, the celebrations offer a little bit of everything for all to enjoy.”
Buffalo National River was originally designated by Congress as a public in 1972 to conserve the unique scenic and scientific features of the area, while preserving as free flowing an important segment of the Buffalo River for the enjoyment of future generations.
The planned events weekends in 2022 celebrating the 50th anniversary of Buffalo National River are:
• History Weekend Feb. 26 – March 1, celebrating the rich cultural history of the area and the creation of the park.
• Feb. 26: Oral History StoryCorps Event. Buffalo National River Oral History — StoryCorps Archive Collecting oral histories from those who have stories to tell about their experiences at the river or around the creation of the National River in 1972. Location to be announced
• Feb. 26: Talk on the geologic history of the area presented at Buffalo Point.
• Feb. 27: A presentation at St. Joe High School Auditorium discussing current and historical tribal connections to Buffalo National River. Coordinated by Bob King of the Buffalo River Historic Jail and Museum
• March 1: Science Symposium held at North Arkansas College including an opening ceremony for the anniversary year and a celebration with birthday cake.
• June 9-12 Art in the Park Weekend, celebrating the ways in which Buffalo National River inspires artistic endeavors.
• June 9: Student Film Fest at the Kenda Drive-in.
• June 10: Folk Story Telling Night at the Buffalo Point Campground Amphitheater. Coordinated by Lucky Star Farm
• June 11: Music Festival at Tyler Bend, featuring artists demonstrating traditional Ozark music traditions and how the river inspires modern creations. Hosted by Buffalo National River and Buffalo National River Partners.
• June 12: The Chinelos Morelenses Unidos en Arkansas, a Mexican American Dance group from Springdale, will perform at Steel Creek and speak about the inspiration they gather from nature and visiting the Buffalo River area.
• Oct. 8-9 Park RX Weekend: Celebrating the natural resources at Buffalo National River and the health benefits they provide.
All weekend, throughout the park there will be a photo geocaching scavenger hunt.
• Oct. 8: “Yoga in the Park” with yoga instructors at the Steel Creek and the Buffalo Point campgrounds.
• Oct. 8: Moon Party at the Tyler Bend pavilion, a program to view the moon with telescopes and discuss the importance of the night sky.
• Oct. 9: Naturalization Ceremony held at the Ozark Campground Pavilion, naturalizing 15 new United Stated Citizens.
Note: Events are subject to change due to COVID-related requirements or weather. Buffalo National River encourages everyone to visit the park’s website www.nps.gov/buff and calendar of events for the most up-to-date information.
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