October events

Schaefer’s Corn Maze will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 28, and remain open through Thursday, Oct. 31. Located on Lollie Road in Mayflower, visitors will have the choice of the large corn maze or a smaller maze. The farm offers scenic hay rides, train rides on the “Corn Maze Express,” a large corn box for play, hay tunnels, professional playground equipment, kiddie toy rides (wagons, tykes and cars), hay mounds, a sand play area, decorated picture areas and concessions. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors 60-plus, $5 for kids 3-12 and free for ages 2 and under. For more information, visit schaeferscornmaze.com.

 

Three events are planned in October for the 2013-14 UCA Public Appearances season at the University of Central Arkansas. All performances will be in the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall.

Lightwire Theater presents: The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise & The Hare, a family show, 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Paul Taylor Dance Company, Night Out Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. Grits & Glamour: Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan, Pops Series, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Tickets may be purchased online at uca.edu/reynolds or by calling 501.450.3265.

 

The United Way of Central Arkansas is planning a “day of action” with the Run United 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5. Funds raised will help fight childhood obesity and support physical activity for kids and teens in need. The run is planned at 8 a.m. on the Tucker Creek Trail, near Walmart on Dave Ward Drive in West Conway. Registration forms for runners, walkers and virtual runners can be accessed at unitedwaycentralark.org or picked up at Sporty Runner and the United Way office at 1120 Oak St. in Downtown Conway.

 

The Conway Human Development Center Volunteer Council will host its 31st annual Walk-A-Thon at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Family Visitation Complex. The center is a long-term care facility that serves more than 480 individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Last year’s event raised more than $25,000. Proceeds will be used to help with several projects, including covered walkways, new gym equipment and Christmas gifts for clients. For more information, please call 501.329.6851 ext. 319 or email [email protected].

 

The 11th annual Maumelle Expo will be held Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Jess Odom Community Center, 1100 Edgewood Drive, in Maumelle. The event is sponsored by the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and gives businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the community. Exhibiting businesses must be a member of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce to participate. For more information on membership and exhibiting at the expo, please call the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce at 501.851.9700.

 

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce will host Team Conway: 2013 Business Expo featuring Taste of Conway on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Conway Expo Center & Fairgrounds. The Expo is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the Taste of Conway taking place on the floor of the Business Expo from 5 to 7 p.m., giving exhibitors and foodservice providers the opportunity to get in front of more than 500 company representatives and community members. Tickets to Taste of Conway are $15. For more information, contact the Conway Area Chamber at 501.327.7788 or visit conwayarkansas.org.

 

The Arkansas State Fair will be held Friday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 20, in Little Rock. The fair opens daily at 11 a.m. Entertainment throughout the fair will feature The Charlie Daniels Band, 38 Special, Josh Thompson, Riverbilly, Night Ranger, Ginuwine, Johnny Gill and Everclear. For more information, visit arkansasstatefair.com

 

Fairfield Bay is hosting the fourth annual “StoryFest at the Bay” Saturday, Oct. 12, at Our Towne Conference and Visitor Center. The event also includes a special celebration of the newly renovated and re-opened conference center beginning at 11:30 a.m. Each year, Fairfield Bay hosts some of the best national storytellers, from coast to coast. Some have received National Storytelling Excellence Awards, as is the case with one of this year’s tellers Andy Offutt Irwin. And equally his match is the clever and engaging Pippa White. They share their talent in the Ozarks and spin their entertaining tales for all to enjoy. Our Towne Conference and Visitor Center is located at 110 Lost Creek Parkway in Fairfield Bay. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit FairfieldBayStartsToday.com or call 501.884.6500.

 

The Conway Symphony Orchestra Guild will present “All That Jazz” from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Southwestern Energy building at The Village at Hendrix. Music will be provided by the Shannon Boshears Band with catering provided by The Hole in the Wall Café. The event will feature a live and silent auction. Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased at conwaysymphonyorchestra.org or Fletcher Smith’s Jewelers. Tickets will be $50 at the door. Proceeds benefit the orchestra.

 

The 20th Anniversary Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, in Downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. Race registration is $25 offline and $26 online. For more information on the Arkansas event, visit komenarkansas.org.