В Гленвуде стартует 16-й фестиваль реки Каддо с концертами, гонками и ярмаркой

Glenwood gets ready to splash into the Caddo River Festival this weekend GLEENWOOD, Ark. (KATV) — If you’re looking for a fun way to spend Labor Day weekend, Glenwood is gearing up to deliver with the Caddo River Festival, a two-day celebration packed with shopping, food, music and plenty of small-town charm. The festival kicks off Friday, with shopping vendors and food trucks opening at 11 a.m. Glenwood is located about 30 minutes southwest of Hot Springs. Friday night also brings live music, with the Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band playing a free community concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday is the festival’s busiest day. A 5K race starts at 8 a.m., and shopping vendors and food trucks open at 9 a.m. The car show also begins at 9 a.m., and organizers say it’s become a major highlight that keeps growing. Last year, the festival had 119 cars in the show. The Caddo River Festival is now in its 16th year. It started in 2010, evolving from an earlier community event called Sawmill Days, which began in the late 1980s. As Glenwood’s economy shifted from timber and sawmills toward tourism tied to the Caddo River, the festival transitioned along with it. For longtime attendees, the vendor booths are a big draw. Brooke Hartsfield said her favorite part is “the vendors and shopping at their booths,” adding, “It’s really fun, and I get to pick out anything.” This year’s Miss Caddo River Festival, Emmalee Vick, will be part of the action, including handing out car show awards and promoting the festival on social media. “It’s an absolute honor,” Vick said. “I have gone to the Caddo River Festival my entire life.” A new addition on Saturday only is the Crystal Bridges Mobile Art Lab, which will be set up with a free kids craft. Organizers said Saturday’s main festival hours run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. After the car show awards, the car show group is also hosting games, including limbo and audio sound-offs. Festival shirts will be available for purchase at the info tent. Organizers say one reason the festival stands out is its setting in the heart of Glenwood’s historic downtown, with local businesses open and the Ouachita Mountains providing a scenic backdrop.