Annual Events
Pine Bluff is home to many award-winning festivals and special events throughout the year. Some events you will not want to miss are:
Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Held in the early fall every two years, the induction ceremony for the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame is an evening of fun and entertainment with some of the biggest and best entertainment personalities from the state of Arkansas. Once inducted into the Hall of Fame, inductees have memorabilia from their career displayed in the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame museum, located in the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends
www.pineblufffestival.org
Voted "Festival of the Year" for 2000 and just recently awarded the “Classic Award” for 2006 by the Arkansas Festival Association, Arkansas’ largest drive-thru of holiday lights has over 130 displays, many of which are animated. Pine Bluff’s Regional Park is transformed into 1.2 miles of winter wonderland from mid-November through December 31. Admission is free. Community volunteers graciously accept donations at the end of the drive.
4th of July Celebration
www.pineblufffestival.org
Come join us every 4th of July for Southeast Arkansas’ largest display of fireworks! Food vendors, Battle of the Bands and a fantastic fireworks show will help you celebrate this special day!
Pine Bluff Film Festival
Held the first weekend in October, the Pine Bluff Film Festival is a two-day event featuring classic films, a silent film with live music accompaniment, symposiums, and interviews with the guest star. Past special guests have included Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Geraldine Chaplin, Van Johnson, Fay Wray, Tippi Hedren, Gloria DeHaven, Celeste Holm, Jane Russell, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Carol Channing, Shirley Jones, and Patricia Neal.
Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra
The Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1987 to give outstanding musical students of the Pine Bluff public schools an opportunity to improve and continue to raise their skills and sights for the future. Many of the members of the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra are local residents who are sharing their talents to expose the community to a high quality of music. PBSO’s season runs from October to March and all performances take place at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Smoke on the Water BBQ & Music Festival
www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com
Held every third weekend in September in Pine Bluff’s Regional Park, Smoke on the Water Barbecue & Music Festival has become one of the largest events on the professional circuit. Now offering $50,000 in prize money, the Arkansas Championship Barbecue Cook-Off is on a quest for the world’s best barbecue! Voted Arkansas’ Best New Festival in 2001 and Festival of the Year in 2005 by the Arkansas Festival Association, Smoke on the Water also features a carnival, classic car show, arts & crafts and live entertainment.
Southeast Arkansas District Livestock Show & Rodeo
This exciting annual event draws crowds from all over the state and features livestock shows, P.R.C.A. (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) rodeo competition, a parade down Main Street, talent show, chuck wagon races, a carnival with gigantic midway and special performances by country music stars. This event is held at Hestand Stadium every fall.