June events around Central Arkansas

School will be getting out in just a few weeks and with the economy still in recession many Arkansas families might be looking for things to do this summer close to home. Here are a number of events taking place in June around Central Arkansas and the River Valley.

The "Best of the Bard" will be presented June 10 through 28 as the University of Central Arkansas in Conway hosts the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre Festival. Artists from all over the country combine with the best local talent to present professional theatre at Reynolds Performance Hall. Described as "serious fun" by the local sponsors, this year's event includes productions of Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, and the Arkansas premiere of The Producers and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. In addition, there will be backstage tours, visits with the actors, picnics and free pre-show performances. An on-site, licensed childcare center will be available. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25. For more information, contact Matt Chiorini by e-mailing mchiorini@uca.edu or calling 501-450-3265. The event's Web site is www.arkshakes.com.

The 26th Annual Fun Day at Woolly Hollow State Park in Greenbrier will be June 19 at the Lake Bennett Beach. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. visitors will be able to partake in old-fashioned games and contests, such as paddleboat races, watermelon seed spitting contest, and a water balloon toss. Free swimming and paddle boating will be available during the event. For more information, contact Woolly Hollow State Park by e-mail woollyhollow@arkansas.com or by phone at 501-679-2098.

The 20th annual Valley Fest will take place June 12-13 in Old Post Road Park in Russellville. The weekend will be packed with activities such as a barbecue contest, arts and crafts, food vendors, midway, bingo, slam dunk contest, 3-on-3 contest, volleyball, softball, horseshoes, tennis, 5K, bike races, River Valley Idol, car show, and fishing derby. For more information, phone 479-968-7819.

Mediterranean fare will be the focus of the Second Saturday Chef's Series on June 13 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil, a Mediterranean diet is generally healthy and is also increasingly popular just as an ethnic cuisine. This class will explore the fundamentals of Mediterranean cooking, from marrying flavors to the usage of spices and olive oil. The cost for the class is $69. For lodging or class reservations, visit www.uawri.org or phone 501-727-6220.

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The Jesus Jam Celebration Singing Convention will take place on June 13 at the Greenwood Performing Arts Center in Greenwood. The convention will consist of groups and soloist from Arkansas and Oklahoma. The music genres will be southern gospel, Christian country, country gospel and bluegrass. The convention is hosted by MaRanda Love of Baker Family Productions. Love has a television show in Fayetteville called "The Grand Old Gospel Show." Admission to the convention is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 5 to 12. For more information, visit www.freewebs.com/jesusjamcelebration/ or phone 479-719-7853.

The 51st annual Petit Jean Car Show and Swap Meet will be June 16-20 at the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. About 1,500 spaces will be filled with cars, parts, memorabilia, arts and crafts, and antiques. The annual car show judging will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.museumofautos.com or phone 501-727-5427.

The 21st annual Great Arkansas Pig Out is set for June 26-27 at the city park in Morrilton. The two-day festival will include games, contests, sports, food, country entertainment and the famous pig chase. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.pigout.info or phone 501-354-2393.

The 13th annual Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival will take place June 26-27 in downtown Paris and at Mount Magazine State Park. On the Paris square, there will be free children's activities, an art show and sale, photo contest, quilt show, parade, live butterfly conservatory, Miss Butterfly pageant, arts and crafts vendors, and live entertainment.

At Mount Magazine State Park, visitors can immerse themselves in the habitat of more than 86 different butterfly species that live on or migrate over Mount Magazine throughout the year. The event includes activities for all ages. Guest speakers and park interpreters will lead walks and talks exploring butterfly biology and gardening. A Bug Bonanza Pavilion will contain insects, games and make-and-take crafts.

For more information on Paris activities, visit www.parisaronline.com or phone 479-963-2244. For more information regarding Mount Magazine events, visit www.butterflyfestival.com or phone 479-963-8502.