Upcoming Park Events At Davidsonville Historic State Park
September
Davidsonville Historic State Park invites you to join us for any and all of the upcoming park events
Weaving Wonders on Cardboard Looms
Friday, August 31st 2:00-3:30pm
Meets At: Education Center
Like crafting but don’t have the money for a big project right now? Stop by Davidsonville and get hands as we explore the intricate artwork it’s possible to make on a cardboard loom. This starter project includes all the supplies you need to make a small yarn craft and is free! Come gain an appreciation of where clothing and fabric used to come from, and where it comes from today as we have fun with fibers to start the holiday weekend.
The Buzz about Bats
Friday, August 31st 7:30-8:30pm
Meets At: Campground Fire Ring
Bats are the subject of many myths, most of which show the bat as a pest or even a monster. Join the park interpreter at the campground fire ring for this free program to learn the truth about these amazing creatures and why we want to keep them around. After the program, hang around the fire for stories of Davidsonville, event news for the weekend, and maybe a song or two to end the night.
Baking in an Earthen Oven
Saturday, September 1st 2:00-4:00pm
Meets At: Visitor Center Porch
The oven fire is ready, are you? Join park staff for the finale of the two-part program on historic oven building and baking. We’ll prepare and bake a few loaves of homemade bread, discuss tools needed, oven prep, use, and care, and enjoy the results of our hard labor towards the end. Participants will receive recipes and the knowledge of how to work their own backyard ovens.
Night Hike and Astronomy Tour
Saturday, September 1st 7:00-8:30pm
Meets At: Visitor Center
Half the park is after dark. Join Park Interpreter Geoffrey at the Visitor Center for a sunset hike and simple astronomy program around Davidsonville. Learn about owls, bats, and others who prowl the park after sundown, and learn about some of the most prominent constellations in the night sky. This hike will go on regardless of cloud cover, and topics may vary accordingly. Please bring flashlights, wear bug spray, and wear close-toed shoes.
Historic Games and Outside Fun
Sunday, September 2nd 9:00am-11:00am
Meets At: Visitor Center Porch
Come when you can and bring the whole family out for a fun morning at Davidsonville to learn how kids of all ages kept themselves entertained two hundred years ago. Relay races, the game of graces, toys, and other activities will provide opportunities to face off against family, friends, and fellow park visitors. This program is great for parents who need some quiet ‘coffee’ time before packing up the camper to head home from the weekend.
All Weekend: Historic Toys and Wacky Weather Facts
Meets at: Visitor Center
Can’t make it to a scheduled program? Stop by the visitor center for self-guided fun that can be enjoyed any time over the holiday weekend. Test out your weather forecasting abilities, play with historic toys and puzzles, and let our knowledgeable staff show you around the visitor center exhibits. See you at the park!
Historic Cooking Workshop
Saturday, September 8th 1:00-5:00pm
Admission: $20
Help cook up a historic meal and learn how territorial Arkansans did everything from gathering their ingredients to doing the dishes. This workshop will utilize historic recipes and techniques and will cover Dutch oven and cast iron care, use of an earthen oven, and more. Participants will go home well fed, with an appreciation for the work their forbearers put in, along with a copy of the recipes made. Space is limited and early sign up is required.
Nature Writing Workshop
Saturday, September 22nd, 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $10
There’s no place quite like the outdoors to get creative. Grab your inspirational muse and join park staff for a seminar day of writing tips, ideas on how to approach the topic of nature, and plenty of outdoor inspiration and writing time. This is a full day class with lunch break. Bring your own lunch and dress appropriately for the weather. The park will provide basic writing materials, but feel free to bring the beloved notebook or lucky pen as well. Space is limited and early sign-ups are required, so call today to reserve your spot!
To learn more about these and other upcoming events call the park at 870-892-4708.
Davidsonville Historic State Park is located fifteen minutes south of Pocahontas on Highway 166 South.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current publicity chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.