The People

The growth rate in Arkansas was 13.7 per cent from 1990 to 2000. The population density in 2000 was 51.3 persons per square mile (19.8 per km2), roughly two-thirds that of the United States as a whole. Whites made up 80 per cent of the population and blacks, the largest nonwhite group, 15.7 per cent.

Annual events in Arkansas
January-April
Thoroughbred racing at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs (late January-April); Jonquil Festival in Old Washington State Park (March); Horse Festival in Fayetteville (March-April); Arkansas Folk Festival in Mountain View (April); Springfest in Fayetteville (April).
May-June
War Eagle Fair in War Eagle (May); Riverfest in Little Rock (May); Old Fort Days Rodeo in Fort Smith (May-June); Miss Arkansas Pageant in Hot Springs (June); Pink Tomato Festival in Warren (June).
July-September
Peach Festival in Clarksville (July). Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale (July); Grape Festival in Altus (late July); White River Water Carnival in Batesville (August); Hope Watermelon Festival (August); Arkansas State Fiddler’s Championship in Mountain View (September); Four States Fair and Rodeo in Texarkana (September).
October-December
King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena (October); National Wild Turkey Calling Contest and Turkey Trot Festival in Yellville (October); Rice Festival in Weiner (October); Ozarks Arts and Crafts Fair in War Eagle (October); Original Ozark Folk Festival in Eureka Springs (October); Ozark Trail and Trout Festival in Heber Springs (October); Arts, Crafts, and Design Fair in Little Rock (November); World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart (November); Lights of the Delta in Blytheville (December).