ValleyFest in Russellville

July in Russellville comes alive with ValleyFest, a spirited celebration of community, culture and the great outdoors. Set along the sun-dappled shores of Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River, the festival transforms the city’s historic riverfront grounds into a summer playground brimming with music, cuisine and local craftsmanship.

A Stage for Arkansas Soundscapes
Each afternoon, festivalgoers gather beneath a canopy of live oaks as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s chamber ensemble opens the program, weaving classical flourishes into the warm breeze. As dusk settles, regional favorites take the spotlight: Americana singer-songwriter Amanda Shires pours her heart into folk-tinged ballads, and the blues-rock grit of Little Rock Ramblers keeps toes tapping long into the evening.

Taste the Delta and Beyond
Foodies will find a true Arkansas tasting tour among the vendors. Smoke-kissed ribs from the famed Hog Jaw Barbecue sizzle alongside Doe’s Eat Place’s signature pepper-steak sandwiches, while Wattle’s Wild Foods serves exotic game sausages for the more adventurous palate. Craft-beer aficionados can sample pours from Ozark River Brewing Co. and Arkansas’s own Diamond Bear Brewing, each pint poured fresh under the fairgrounds’ beer garden.

Crafts, Curiosities & Community
Stroll past more than fifty artisan booths—hand-thrown pottery by Dardanelle Clay Works, sweet-grass baskets from the River Valley Weavers and natural-soap blends from Ozark Botanicals. Curious visitors can try their hand at wood-turning demonstrations or join a guided historical walking tour that traces the grounds from its origins as an Osage hunting preserve to its days as part of the Cherokee Nation.

Family Fun and Festive Flair
For families, ValleyFest offers a shady playground with paddle-boat rentals on the lake, face-painting by the Arkansas Youth Arts Collective and a dedicated “Kids’ Adventure Zone” featuring puppet shows and obstacle courses. Local nonprofit EcoArkansas leads hands-on nature workshops, teaching young explorers about regional flora and fauna against the backdrop of the riverbank.