Baxter Buzz #1 — What’s Buzzin’ Around Baxter County This Weekend

THURSDAY, September 24, 2026 | ISSUE #1

Howdy, Twin Lakes — it’s a full-throttle weekend.

Bassmaster wraps Friday at Buzzard Roost, Dam Jam takes over Bull Shoals on Saturday, and studios open for Art Odyssey Thu–Sat. Pick one big plan (or three short ones) and get after it.

Dam Jam returns to Bull Shoals

Second annual community festival at Roy Danuser Park — 75th anniversary of Bull Shoals Dam, 60+ vendors, live music (Ozark Thunder, BLT Americana, Heavy Wrecker), kids crafts, casting challenge, classic cars, and more.

Where: Roy Danuser Park, Dan Danuser Circle, Bull Shoals

When: Sat Sep 26 · 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cost: Free community festival (no ticket price listed)

EVENT DETAILS →

Bassmaster Elite Qualifier — final days

Nitro Boats Elite Qualifier on Norfork Lake. Takeoffs 7 a.m. / weigh-ins 3 p.m. at Buzzard Roost. Bassmaster LIVE covers Friday.

Thu–Fri Sep 24–25 · Buzzard Roost Boat Dock

Details →

The Art Odyssey — 15th annual studio tour

Free self-guided driving tour of juried artists’ studios across north-central Arkansas. Maps at the library, Chamber, and TheArtOdyssey.com.

Thu–Sat Sep 24–26 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Details →

Twin Lakes Bull Bash

Lasley Bull Tour at the Saddle Club Arena — concessions, giveaways, and a Kayo Jackal 200 four-wheeler drawing with paid admission.

Sat Sep 26 · Gates 5 p.m. / Show 7 p.m. · $15 (7 and under free)

Details →

Dam Jam — Saturday’s the one

Skeeter recommends: If you only make one plan this weekend, make it Dam Jam. Free festival energy, live music, 60+ vendors, kids zones, and a dam anniversary worth toasting — all at Roy Danuser Park from 11 to 5. Extra parking this year after nearly 6,000 people showed up last time.

Roy Danuser Park, Bull Shoals · Sat Sep 26 · 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

GET THE DETAILS →

Rapp’s Barren — dinner + live music

Baker District brewery/gastropub with chef plates and house beer. This weekend: Jay Kellebrew Fri 7–9 p.m.; Blayd and Tara Law Sat 7 p.m. Hours Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun brunch 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

VIEW MENU →

The Square Piano — Baker District nights

Full bar + live music 7–11 p.m. at 104 E 7th. This week’s lineup: Thu live band and $2 wells; Fri sing-along piano; Sat dueling pianos. Hours Tue–Sat 6 p.m.–1 a.m.

SEE THE SCHEDULE →

OTB food boxes open Saturday

Cotter’s Outside the Box Unboxing brings new bites online Sat Sep 26, 12–2 p.m. at 132 Combs Ave — including Momentum Coffee, The Lunch Box, and White River Sweet Station among the debut shops.

SEE WHO’S OPENING →

50% off Dam Site Campground for Dam Jam weekend

Bull Shoals organizers are offering a 50% discount at city-run Dam Site Campground for visitors attending Dam Jam who want to stay nearby.

Tied to Dam Jam attendance · Confirm booking details with the city / campground

GET THE DEAL →

Ember Shoals — First Cast grand opening stay

Book a 3-night stay at Ember Shoals (Cotter White River resort) anytime Aug 14–Dec 31, 2026 and get 50% off your 3rd night, plus hat, sticker, s’mores kit, and $20 store credit. Use code FIRSTCAST at checkout.

3-night minimum · Grand opening period offer

SEE PACKAGES →

Square Piano — $2 wells Thursday

Recurring Baker District deal: Thursday live band night runs $2 wells at The Square Piano (104 E 7th). In-window: Thu Sep 24.

DETAILS →

Outside the Box — Cotter Unboxing

Grand opening / ribbon cutting for the shipping-container marketplace in Cotter’s River District. Explore locally owned shops, food, and drinks at 132 Combs Ave. Sat Sep 26 · 12–2 p.m.

LEARN MORE →

Ember Shoals Resort — open house / ribbon cutting

Formerly Denton Ferry / His Place, now Ember Shoals on the White River in Cotter. Open house Thu Oct 1, 3–5 p.m. with ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. at 740 Denton Ferry Rd. Chamber listing notes more details still coming.

SAVE THE DATE →

Roxie’s Flea Market — ribbon cutting

Cotter Area Chamber ribbon cutting for Roxie’s Flea Market on Sat Oct 17 at 10 a.m. Save the date; chamber says fuller details to follow.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR →

Friday at the state park

Bull Shoals–White River State Park stacks interpretive programs on Fri Sep 25: Fish Feeding 11–11:30 a.m., GSI: Game Scene Investigation 4–4:30 p.m., Heron Happenings 6–6:30 p.m. at Big Spring. Perfect add-on before Dam Jam Saturday.

EXPLORE →

Mountain Home Farmers Market — Sat Sep 27 and Wed Sep 30, 7 a.m.–noon at 5th and Shiras (mhfarmersmarket.org)
Cotter Farmers Market — Sat Sep 27, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. at Big Spring Park (cotterar.gov/parks)
Twin Lakes Sports Card and Collectible Expo — Sat Sep 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Fairgrounds Education Building (fairgrounds calendar)
The Square Piano — Thu live band + $2 wells; Fri sing-along; Sat dueling pianos · 104 E 7th St (thesquarepiano.com)
Bassmaster LIVE — Fri Sep 25 coverage of the Norfork Elite Qualifier on Bassmaster.com / Roku Sports Channel