Baxter Buzz #2 — Oct 8

THURSDAY, October 8, 2026 | ISSUE #2

Howdy, Baxter County!

Saturday's the whole show this week. Yellville is throwing its Turkey Trot for the 80th time, kids are fishing at McCabe Park, and the Gamaliel volunteer firefighters are hosting their turkey shoot. Start with a $10 breakfast at the Bob Davis Veterans' Center, catch dueling pianos downtown that night, and let Sunday be lazy. You've earned it.

Some Great People. A More Buzz-Worthy Baxter County!

80th Annual Yellville Turkey Trot

Eighty years of turkey talk. Yellville's fall festival started in 1946, and this weekend it fills the square again with vendors, food, music and the big parade at 10 a.m. Saturday. It's about a 20-mile drive west and a good excuse to make an Ozarks fall day of it.

Where: Yellville town square

When: Fri, Oct 9 (noon–midnight) & Sat, Oct 10 (10 a.m.–midnight)

Cost: Free to attend

EVENT DETAILS →

Gamaliel Fire Department Turkey Shoot

A north-county tradition with food, prizes and neighbors. The money goes to the volunteers who answer the calls up that way; raffle tickets on sale through the Dec. 15 drawing.

Sat, Oct 10 · 11 a.m.–2 p.m. · Gamaliel Fire Dept., 5012 AR-101

Details →

Great Arkansas Cleanup at Bull Shoals

Lend a hand on the river. Meet at Big Spring at Bull Shoals–White River State Park; supplies are provided and it's free.

Sat, Oct 10 · 9–11 a.m. · Big Spring, Bull Shoals–White River State Park

Details →

Coach Don Webb Memorial Fishing Derby

Skeeter recommends: Grab a pole and the kids. This free derby for ages 15 and under now carries the name of the coach who never missed one, and it's about as good as a Saturday morning in Mountain Home gets. Bring your own pole; Anstaff Bank is selling hot dogs and sno-cones. While you're there, have the kids pick a book from the new Little Free Library by the ponds. Info: 870-424-9311.

McCabe Park, Mountain Home · Sat, Oct 10 · 9 a.m.–noon · FREE

GET THE DETAILS →

The Square Piano · 104 E. 7th St.

The Baker District's piano bar has a full weekend: Nothin' Knew Band Thursday, The Ro Show Friday, and Dueling Pianos Saturday, live music 7–11 p.m. Order a Piana Colada and request something. Open Tue–Sat, 6 p.m.–1 a.m.; reserve seats at 870-701-3131.

SEE THE SCHEDULE →

Ozark Fork & Cork · 920 Hwy. 62 E.

Wine, craft beer and charcuterie boards made for sharing, including vegan boards. Everything on the menu goes carry-out, including grab-and-go boxes built for a day on the lake. Open Thu–Sat until 8 p.m.

VIEW MENU →

Ales & Tales Book Club at Rapp's Barren Brewing

Wed, Oct 14 · 4 p.m. A book club that meets at the brewery at 601 S. Baker St. Bring your thoughts and order a pint.

LEARN MORE →

$10 breakfast for a good cause

Biscuits and gravy, hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage and coffee at the Bob Davis Veterans' Center, 421 E. Ninth St. $10 adults, $5 kids.

Sat, Oct 10 · 8–11 a.m.

GET THE DEAL →

$8 VFW Canteen Lunch, Bull Shoals

An easy, cheap lunch at the Hoevel-Barnett VFW, 1206 Central Blvd.

Thu, Oct 8 · 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

GET THE DEAL →

Free tech help

Bring a laptop, tablet, phone or Kindle to the Donald W. Reynolds Library for basic help from volunteers and staff. First come, first served, no registration.

Sat, Oct 10 · 10 a.m.–noon

GET THE DEAL →

Fall on the White River: 10% off + free s'mores

Ember Shoals in Cotter takes 10% off stays of 3+ nights and adds a s'mores kit with code FALLCOLORS.

Stays booked Sept. 22–Dec. 21

GET THE DEAL →

The Abby: a cozy new lounge downtown

Next door to Treat Yo Shelf Bookstore at 813 S. Main St., The Abby is a 21+ hangout with handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, wine, beer, coffee and house-made small bites. Comfy chairs, books, cards and games — date night or a corner to yourself. Open Fri 5–11 p.m., Sat 4–11 p.m.

LEARN MORE →

Little Free Library #13 opens at McCabe Park

The Baxter County Early Literacy Project has put up its 13th bright-yellow Little Free Library near the McCabe Park ponds. Take a book, leave a book.

LEARN MORE →

Coming up: Roxie's Flea Market ribbon cutting

Fri, Oct 16 · 10 a.m. The Cotter Area Chamber cuts the ribbon on Roxie's Flea Market next Friday. More details coming.

LEARN MORE →

This week at Bull Shoals–White River State Park

153 Dam Overlook Ln. · 870-445-3629
Sun, Oct 11: Terrific Trees, 6–6:30 p.m., Campground Amphitheater. Free. Learn to ID what's turning color.
Tue, Oct 13: Fish Feeding, 11–11:30 a.m., Visitor Center. Free.
Tue, Oct 13: Ozark Chinquapins, 4–4:30 p.m., Campground Amphitheater. Free — the story of a lost Ozarks tree and how the park is bringing it back.
Wed, Oct 14: Bull Shoals Lake Cruise, 10–11:30 a.m. $14 adults, $8 ages 6–12. Sign up ahead.

EXPLORE →

Mountain Home Farmers Market: Sat, Oct 10 & Wed, Oct 14, 7 a.m.–noon, 5th & Shiras. Info
Cotter Farmers Market: Sat, Oct 10, 7 a.m.–2 p.m., Big Spring Park. The season wraps at the end of October. Info
Heads up: The Baxter County Library is closed Mon, Oct 12, for Columbus Day. Library
Gas is easing: Baxter County stations were $3.90–$4.04 as of Oct. 6, with Murphy USA in Mountain Home at $3.90, the cheapest in north-central Arkansas. Prices change daily. KTLO
Going up: Ground broke Oct. 2 on a new ~17,000-sq-ft VA clinic at 199 West End Way. KTLO
Monday music: Ted's Lil Opry plays Monday nights, 6–8:30 p.m., at Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts. Call ahead: 870-445-2311. Theater