Arkansas
Independence Day fireworks shows and events in and around central Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – It is time for fun, friends and fireworks as groups across Arkansas are making ready for Independence Day celebrations.
Events are taking place both on July 3rd and 4th, often in lake-adjacent parks.
Here is a list of some of the Independence Day events and displays taking place around central Arkansas.
JULY 3
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE: The ‘base is hosting its Liberty Fest on July 3rd with gates opening at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m., live music begins at 6 p.m. Includes a BBQ contest, inflatables, DJ, food, bourbon tasting, corn hole tourney, games, prizes, more.
BENTON: The July 3rd Red, White and Boom Independence Day fireworks celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. at the River Center parking lot behind Holland Chapel Church. Free hot dogs with lemonade, cold drinks, snow cones and ice cream from food trucks. Inflatables for children and a Baggo tournament. Fireworks after dark.
CONWAY: The July 3rd Freedom Fest takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. at Beaverfork Lake Park in the city. Free admission for food trucks, live music, and fireworks after dark.
SHERWOOD: Independence Day celebration on July 3rd with Fireworks and Food Trucks; gates open at 6 p.m. at the Greens at North Hills. Family-friendly activities include a bounce house, face painting, music and food trucks.
LAKE NORFORK / MOUNTAIN HOME: A July 3rd fireworks show at Lake Norfork can be seen from the Highway 101 and 62 bridges crossing the lake. The show starts at dark, with music simulcast on FM 99.7, The Boot.
JULY 4
LITTLE ROCK: Pops on the River for July 4th, gates at Rivermarket open at 5 p.m. with the Kids Pavilions through 9:15 p.m. when the fireworks begin. Food trucks are on hand, and live music begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at 8:30 p.m. Free with reserved seating available for $15; chairs and blankets are encouraged. Fireworks over the downtown Main Street Bridge visible throughout Little Rock. Schedule is rain or shine.
HOT SPRINGS: July 4th Fireworks at Lake Hamilton, a free event with fireworks fired from a barge on the lake, best seen from the east side of Highway 7 at the first highway bridge opposite the DoubleTree Hot Springs hotel. Begins at dark. The display will synch with 97.5 FM US97 Country. The rain date is July 5th.
JACKSONVILLE: July 4th Big Bang Fireworks Show downtown, 5 to 9 p.m. free event at Five Points on Main Street, featuring food trucks, live music, games and inflatables. Bringing a blanket or chair is recommended.
CABOT: July 4th at the Cabot Sportsplex is the July Annual Celebration, beginning at 6 p.m. with balloon animals, face painting, food trucks, live music, and more; fireworks will be at 9:15 p.m.
BATESVILLE: Cory Jackson is in concert for the Celebrate America celebration on July 4th in the city park; the gates open at 4 p.m. with kid-friendly events promised. Rep. Rick Crawford and the Triple Nickel band are also appearing. This is a free concert.
BULL SHOALS: Bull Shoals Lake is the site of the July 4th Independence Day Fireworks Show, VFW Parade, and All-American Independence Day Celebration. The best places to see the show are Gaston’s Visitor Center Overlook at the dam, the lakeview side of the dam at the park, or the bottom of the dam. Water, lawn chairs, bug spray, and blankets are recommended. The Show begins after dark.
BEEBE: Opening at 5 p.m. on July 4, the Beebe Diamonds in the Park event is at the city ball park and includes a free concert by Collin Raye alongside fireworks later in the evening.
BISMARK: July 4th Freedom 5K/10K fun run at DeGray Lake Resort State Park from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Patriotic outfits are encouraged to run, walk or march the course while enjoying scenic lake views.
CAMDEN: On July 4th the city is holding its Star Spangled Spectacular at the municipal airport beginning at 6 p.m. with live music, food trucks, inflatables, live music and more. Fireworks at dark, fee admission.
FORT SMITH: The July 4th Celebration will be from 5 to 10 p.m., featuring food trucks, free public transportation, live entertainment, and what organizers promise is the largest fireworks display in the region at 9:30 p.m.
LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK: July 4th family-friendly events are from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. with canoe races, beach volleyball, bike races, scavenger hunts, three-legged races, hula hoop contests and a water balloon toss wrapping things up.
What you don’t know about July 4th
MORRILTON: July 4th Fun & Games Day at Petit Jean State Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for family-friendly events such as a watermelon eating contest, water balloon volleyball and water balloon toss.
MOUNTIAN HARBOR / MOUNT IDA: The July 4th Fireworks Over Harbor promises to be the lake’s largest fireworks show with accompanying patriotic music at 9:30 p.m.
It’s always a good idea to have a chair or blanket, and maybe some water, handy for comfort’s sake while you watch the show. Don’t forget the sunscreen for before-dark events.
Several events are simulcasting a music synch with the fireworks display on FM radio, so if you’re going out into a field to watch, bring along a portable radio for the best experience.
Know of an Independence Day event not on our list? Shoot us an email to let us know.
CORNING, Ark. (KATV) — Regulatory Enforcement Agents with the Department of Finance and Administration, along with local police, seized a significant amount of illegal THC products from Pacific Green in Corning on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, more than a dozen agents joined the City of Corning Police in the day-long operation that resulted in two arrests.
DFA agents seized more than 25 pounds of illegal products consisting of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Owner Ben Bennett and employee Sharia Shipman were arrested and both charged with the following:
- Delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class B Felony)
- Controlled substances – Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises (Class C Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D Felony)
- Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes (Class C Felony)
Bennett’s bond was set at $150,000, while Shipman’s bond was set at $100,000.
“In addition to selling illegal products, investigators confirmed violations involving underage access at this location,” said David Potter, Director of the Regulatory Enforcement Division. “This retailer, which was located within 1,000 feet of a school, presented significant public health and safety concerns. We are proud to partner with the Corning Police Department in addressing these violations. We seized a substantial quantity of illegal products, including flower, vapes, edibles, and other items, during the operation. We appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and information received from the community that led to yesterday’s operation and stopped this blatant disregard of the law.”
Note: All suspects accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security
IDEMIA Public Security North America and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles have launched Arkansas driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet, allowing residents to securely store and use their credentials on an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The new feature gives Arkansans the ability to present their identification at participating businesses and venues, at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in more than 250 airports, and online or within apps when age or identity verification is required.
The launch builds on Arkansas’ ongoing efforts to expand digital identification options. In March 2025, the state introduced the Arkansas Mobile ID app, and officials say adding IDs to Apple Wallet offers residents another secure and convenient way to access their credentials.
“We’re proud to build on our partnership with the Arkansas DFA’s Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles, expanding on the launch of the Arkansas Mobile ID app in March 2025. The launch of ID in Apple Wallet in the state provides Arkansas residents a new, secure way to store and present their digital credentials, with transparency and control over how their information is shared at the forefront,” said Rob Gardner, CEO, IDEMIA Civil Identity.
To add an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, users can tap the plus sign at the top of the Wallet app on their iPhone, select “Driver’s License or State ID,” and follow the verification process.
Officials say privacy and security were central considerations in the rollout. Information stored in Apple Wallet is encrypted on a user’s device, and users control when and how their information is shared. When presenting an ID, only the information necessary to verify age or identity is provided.
Apple and the Arkansas Division of Driver Services and Motor Vehicles also do not receive information about when or where residents use their digital IDs.
The technology is also designed to make verification easier for businesses. Participating businesses can use IDEMIA’s Mobile ID Verify app to accept and verify mobile IDs directly from an iPhone without requiring customers to hand over their devices or use additional hardware.
The launch marks another step toward broader adoption of digital credentials in Arkansas, giving residents a secure alternative to carrying a physical driver’s license or state ID while maintaining control over their personal information.
For information on the launch of IDs in Apple Wallet in Arkansas, click here.
READ ALSO: Adam O’Neal Stepping into Chancellor Role at UA-EACC
-
Health11 minutes agoNew ways to prevent flu revealed in ‘accidental’ lab breakthrough, study finds
-
Sports14 minutes agoRussell Wilson announces retirement from NFL after 14 seasons
-
Technology19 minutes agoDark web monitoring: does it put your data at risk?
-
Business26 minutes agoIn a first for the country, voters in Monterey Park ban data centers
-
Entertainment29 minutes agoReview: Muscling past a flat script, a big-screen ‘Masters of the Universe’ embraces its own silliness
-
Politics41 minutes agoHilton and Becerra lead California’s unsettled governor’s race; Steyer faces elimination
-
Sports49 minutes ago‘SNL’ star Marcello Hernández to host 2026 ESPYs as show leaves L.A. for New York
-
World59 minutes agoUS House passes Iran war powers resolution in rare moment of Trump backlash
