The 25th annual Buffalo River Elk Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, in Jasper.
The festival celebrates the successful reintroduction of elk to Newton County.
Hunters interested in pursuing Arkansas’s largest big game animal have applied for a limited hunting permit. Fifteen permits (Five either sex and 10 antlerless) are available for public draw through online applications this season. All elk permits will be drawn at the elk festival. Winners will be notified via email and phone once the draw is concluded. Three additional on-site permits (one either sex and two antlerless) will be drawn at the festival. Only people who attend the festival in person will be eligible for the on-site permit drawing.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Arkansas Elk Capital Chapter Banquet is planned for Friday, June 28, at The White Barn Near the Buffalo.
This year's scheduled highlights include:
Live Music Lineup
Whistlin' Dixie, Batterton and Edwards, Donald Payne - Vocal Impressions, Espn Daniels - Elvis Impersonator, RIO, James L White, Ryan Harmon - Country Singer/Songwriter, Ain't Got Nothing Band/Matt McCuen Music, Unashamed Bluegrass, Debby Young, and 7 South.
Arkansas State Elk Calling Championships
Elite callers will compete in the adult, youth, and pee-wee divisions for the coveted titles and cash prizes.
Premier Dutch Oven Cook-Off & Tasting
Watch chefs battle it out preparing savory dishes in traditional Dutch ovens, with samples for the audience!
Kids' Activity Zone
Crafts, games, fishing derby, and more tailored for young outdoor adventurers.
The festival will also feature food trucks, a merchandise tent, elk education seminars, and a stunning fireworks display over the river.
2024 Elk Festival Schedule: Events, Activities, and Locations
Friday
8:00 Little Buffalo River Visitor’s Center Opens
10:00 AM Festival Opens – Main Stage
11:00 AM Kids activies – Main Stage
11:00 AM Drawing for free hourly raffles -Main Stage
12:00 PM KCWD remote/ prizes giveaways
12:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
1:00 PM On-Site Elk Permit Drawing Registration at
Little Buffalo River Visitor’s Center 1-4pm
1:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
1:30 PM Unashamed Bluegrass – Main Stage
3:00 PM Drawing for the 2pm free raffles (so we don’t
interupt the music) – Main Stage
3:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
3:15 PM RIO – Main Stage Folk & Rock, Songwriter
4:00 PM Registration for on-site Elk permits closes
for the day
4:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
5:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
5:00 PM Debby Young – Main Stage
Local Songwriter, Gospel, Country, Bluegrass
6:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
6:45 PM Ryan Harmon – Main Stage –
Country Music Singer/ Songwriter, Former American Idol Contestant
2022 ACMA Acoustic Act of the Year
8:30 PM 7 South – Main Stage – Local Country &
Southern Rock
Saturday
7:00 AM Running with the Elk – Lost Valley Canoe &
Lodging, Ponca sponsored by Kiwanis
7:00 AM Pancake Breakfast American Legion Hut
8:00 AM Kids Fishing Derby Registration
Bradley Park
9:00 AM Fishing Derby Begins – 9-11am in
Bradley Park
9:00 AM On-site Elk permit registration until 4 PM
Little Buffalo River Visitor’s Center
9:00 AM Premier Dutch Oven Cook-off begins
Harp Realty
10:00 AM Opening Ceremonies – Main Stage
10:15 AM Batterton and Edwards – Main Stage
American Roots music… a cross of Blues,
Bluegrass, Folk & Old Country
11:00 AM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
11:00 AM Elk Fest Talent Show – Main Stage
sponsored by JPAC
11:00 AM Fishing Derby Ends at Bradley Park
12:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
12:00 PM Fishing Derby Awards – Main Stage
(Must be Present to win)
12:00 PM Elk Calling Contest Registration
ON our website OR the Official Merch tent
12:30 PM Donald Payne – Main Stage
Vocal Impressions
12:45 PM Espn Daniels – Main Stage
Elvis Impersonator
1:00 PM Dutch Oven Cook-off – Harp Realty
Judging begins followed by
“Tasting the Vittles”
1:10 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
1:15 PM Arkansas State Championship Elk Calling
Main Stage
2:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
2:00 PM Arkansas State Championship Elk Calling
Contest continues (winners announced) – Main Stage
3:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles – Main Stage
3:00 PM Dutch Oven Cook-off Winners Announced – Main Stage
3:00 PM Running with the Elk Winners Announced – Main Stage
3:15 PM James White – Main Stage – Acoustic, Rock and Roll
4:00 PM ON Site Permit Draw Registration ENDS Little Buffalo River Visitor’s Center
4:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles
5:00 PM On-site Elk Permit Drawing Last Permit Drawing of the Day – Main Stage
5:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles
5:05 PM Shotgun Shell Drop
5:15 PM Ain’t Got Nothin’ Band – Main Stage
Country/Old Rock
6:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles
7:00 PM Drawing for free hourly raffles
7:00 PM Nighthawk – Main Stage
Rock
8:00 PM Drawing for free and paid RAFFLES – Main Stage
8:45 PM Whistlin’ Dixie – Main Stage
Southern Rock to Red Dirt / Outlaw Country
9:50 PM Fireworks – Seen from square
Remember to bring a chair!
