On the fourth Monday evening of each month, KASU hosts the “Bluegrass Monday” concert series at the Collins Theatre in downtown Paragould. The theater was built in 1925 and welcomes visitors for music, theater, and various forms of visual art. This brings together a recurring concert date and a broader arts program in one place. If you have a particular evening in mind, it’s best to check the concert date before your trip.
Theater, Memorial, and Fair
Another historic landmark in Paragould is on the grounds of the Greene County Courthouse: the Paragould War Memorial, featuring a seven-foot-tall bronze replica of the Statue of Liberty. The theater and the memorial offer different perspectives on history: one is a theater built in 1925, the other a monument with a distinctive motif.
The Greene County Fair in Paragould adds a seasonal event to the cultural program. It takes place every fall and lasts six days. It features food, rides, exhibits, and competitions; the fair also includes an annual livestock show and a demolition derby. Its schedule differs from the monthly concert evening: the fair takes place in the fall. If you’re planning your trip around one of the events, it’s best to check the specific date.
River, Lake, and Boating
The waterways also offer different opportunities for outdoor activities. The St. Francis River forms Greene County’s eastern border with Missouri and offers fishing opportunities in the county. Reynolds Park in Paragould has a 33-acre public lake that is stocked with fish several times a year. Species found there include catfish, trout, bream, and largemouth bass. Lake Frierson State Park offers boating opportunities. The activity can therefore help guide your choice: fishing on the river, boating at Lake Frierson State Park, or exploring fish species and stocking at the lake in Reynolds Park.
Trails with Natural and Historic Features
Numerous Civilian Conservation Corps structures can be seen along the Lake Ponder Trail. Trail exhibits at Lake Ponder Trail explain the history of Crowley’s Ridge State Park. The 8-Mile Trail in Paragould also offers an opportunity to take a break in nature. The two trails have different points of emphasis: Lake Ponder Trail features both visible structures and explanatory exhibits, while the 8-Mile Trail is highlighted as a nature experience.
Another historic landmark is the Sloan Site, considered the oldest known cemetery discovered in the New World. Together with the theater’s history and the War Memorial, it broadens Greene County’s range of historic topics, though the sites do not all tell the same kind of story. Those choosing between culture and nature will find a range of options: regular events, fall fair days, water activities, and trails with historic connections.
Explore more destinations: Paragould, Grant County, Franklin County, Pike, Pope County, Sebastian, Crawford, Hot Spring County.
For the main travel overview: Arkansas.
