DATES FOR 2020 NOT YET ANNOUNCED
THIS IS PREVIOUS YEARS INFORMATION.
The Civil War Re-enactors from the Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society
will be camped at the Wolf House where they will shoot cannon salutes, beginning at 9 a.m.
Built in 1829 by Major Jacob Wolf, the Wolf House served as the Baxter County Courthouse
and is the oldest public building in Arkansas. Tours of the Wolf House will be offered
during Pioneer Day.
Pioneer Day Chairman Don Blair said activities at the Wolf House, which is now operated
by the Department of Arkansas Heritage, will be expanded this year. In addition to the
Civil War Re-enactors, a trader/trapper camp will be set up on the grounds with demonstrations
as well as lye soap making.
Major Wolf was a blacksmith, according to Blair, who said a blacksmith will also be demonstrating
his trade. There will also be dulcimer music beginning at 10:30 a.m. and Dutch oven cooking and
sampling beginning at noon.
The Pioneer Day Parade kicks off at The Wolf House on Highway 5 South at 10 a.m. with long-time
community resident and volunteer, Belle Simpson,serving as Grand Marshall of the parade. Proceeding
though town to 4th Street, the parade will feature the Norfork High School Band, riders from
Rand Rodeo and Chicks-n-Spurs Drill Team, local dignitaries and vintage cars, which will be on
display at the Veterans Memorial following the parade.
Over 30 vendors will open their booths at 10:30 a.m. around Norfork City Hall and the Youth Center.
Vendors will offer a wide variety of food, crafts and games.
Music takes center stage at Pioneer Day beginning at 10:30 a.m. when the first of two local bands
performs at the Arvest Pavilion, located near the Youth Center.
An old-fashioned cake walk begins at 11:30 at the Youth Center and a pie eating contest begins
at 1 p.m. at the Arvest Pavilion.
“An exciting new addition to Pioneer Day is the pre-opening of the Norfork Brewing Company,
Saturday at noon,” said Pioneer Day Chairman Don Blair. The brewery, located on Highway 5 South
across from the Veterans Memorial, will officially open
June 23, according to the owners.
The Duck Race, the day’s final event, starts at 3 p.m when rubber ducks, purchased by attendees,
will be dropped into the White River off the Sheid Bridge on AR Highway 341. The ducks will
float down the river and be collected at Norfork’s old ferry landing where prizes will be awarded
to the first ducks to make it to the landing. Ducks will be for sale during the day in the vendor area at the Youth Center.
Pioneer Day Schedule 7:30 a.m. Pioneer Day Breakfast, Norfork Community Center
Booth Setup begins, City Hall Circle Dutch Oven Demo begins, Wolf House Re-enactors break camp, Wolf House 9a.m.
Parade Lineup, West end of Wolf St. Cannon Salute, Wolf House9:30a.m.
Breakfast concludes Booth setup concludes Dulcimer Setup begins, Wolf House dog trot Band #1 Setup, Arvest Pavilion 10a.m.
Parade begins, AR Highway 5 S. at AR Highway 5 S. at 4th Street10:30a.m.
Parade ends All Wolf House activities begin Vintage Car Display, Veterans Memorial Vendor booths open
Youth Center activities begin, Youth Center Jail opens, City Hall Circle Dulcimer music begins Band
#1 performs, Arvest Pavilion Fast-pitch Baseball contest, beside Arvest Pavilion11:30a.m.
Cake Walk begins, Youth Center Games continue, Youth Center Lunch with food vendors,
food vendor booths NoonBand #2 performs, Arvest Pavilion Dutch Oven demo concludes/sampling12:30 p.m.
Lunch time for all1 p.m.
Band #3 performs, Arvest Pavilion Pie Eating contest, Arvest Pavilion Cake Walk continues Free-throw
contest, Youth Center Fast-pitch contest continues Last Minute call for Ducks! Vendor booths 3 p.m.
Great White River Duck Race, White River Ferry Landing3:30 p.m.
Awards and Presentations, Youth Center Quilt Raffle winner announced, Youth Center
