Press Releases

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. - A week of speed-themed activities bookends one of the fastest-paced events at the Lake of the Ozarks, the 2018 Lake Race, Saturday, June 2.

The Lake Race is one of two powerboat races that take place at the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation and features some of the fastest boats from all over the country as they compete for big prize money and bragging rights.  

The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs celebrates its 50th season this year.

Featuring a cast of more than 150 actors and actresses, the play is performed amid a 550- foot historically accurate stage and brings to life the thrilling epic drama surrounding Christ’s last days on earth, including his death, resurrection and ascension.

The Great Passion Play runs one hour and 45 minutes and features an original musical score composed by Phil Perkins and performed by the world-renowned National Philharmonic Orchestra of London. This year’s performance also features horses, donkeys, a Pharaoh Hound, and dozens of birds as well as camels.

Italian culture takes center stage at the first annual Arkansas Italian Food & Culture Festival April 20-21 in North Little Rock. The festival is being held at the North Shore Riverwalk.

“In reality I’ve wanted to do a festival like this for many years,” said festival co-founder Patrick Presley. “I’ve long looked for a way to honor my mother’s family who came from Italy. Also, I’ve always believed that there was far more diversity in the American South than most of the country realizes or the history books have given us credit for. That’s also a key motivator for me personally. Part of that diversity is the role of Italian-Americans in Arkansas, which as a state we have a deep and rich history going back to Italians arriving in Lake Village, Tontitown, Center Ridge, Pine Bluff, Marion, Little Italy, and certainly Little Rock and North Little Rock. This is a great way to highlight that culture and history on many levels. And who doesn't love Italian food?”

Find out what’s new, what’s news and what’s next in the San Juan Islands. Our spring edition of “What’s New and Cool” is below. 

Puerto Vallarta is home to over 300 restaurants. From modest eateries offering local dishes ran by generations of Vallartenses to fine-dining restaurants offering the latest international fusions, to street tacos, Puerto Vallarta's abundance of cuisines has made it Mexico's gastronomy beach destination. Those looking for a foodie challenge and try as many of the destination's restaurants as possible will find a bargain with the city's Restaurant Week, which will last 25 days with 59 participating restaurants in its 2018 edition.

Opry On The Square, in partnership with the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Pearland Town Center, announces the 2018 concert series following last year's highly successful show at the Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway Street. The 2018 4-date concert serieskicks off Saturday, April 28 and culminates with the final date in 2018 on Saturday, November 3. The 2017 event featured Mary Sarah, Freddie Pate, Brian Black, MosesRangel plus local and regional acts from the Southeast Texas area. The performers played to an appreciative crowd with covers of favorite traditional and current country songs.

 Restaurants, Lodging, Shops

Local meat now on the menu at Doe Bay Café—This year brings a big change to Orcas Island’s popular café which has gained local and national kudos for its pescatarian menu and fresh locally grown fare. "We are very excited to announce we will now feature locally raised meat on our menu," says Chef Jon Chappelle. "We will be sourcing our meat with the same set of standards that we do all of our products, utilizing only locally produced, organic, and ethically raised animals." The Doe Bay Café menu will maintain focus on produce from its one-acre onsite garden, and "vegetable-forward" cuisine. The Café is a member of Island Grown in the San Juans (http://islandgrownsj.com), which promotes locally grown products. Contact: Chef Jon Chapelle, [email protected]; www.doebay.com