For the first time since 1997, Miss Saline County Sophe Sligh, will compete for the Miss Arkansas crown alongside Miss Saline County’s Teen Bella Crowe.
The Miss Arkansas pageant begins today and concludes on June 15 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
Previously holding the titles of Miss Greater Little Rock and Miss Metro, Miss Saline County Sophe Sligh of Hot Springs is the first Miss Saline County since 1997. Competing at Miss Arkansas for the past three years, Sligh is no stranger to the Miss Arkansas stage. For the talent portion of the platform, Sligh will perform “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on the violin, a skill she has practiced since she was 5 years old. Additionally, Sligh will speak on her platform, Live Smart for a Healthy Heart.
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Sligh is an American Heart Association advocate, as well as an RN at Children’s Hospital. Sligh said she is committed to lowering the statistic of cardiovascular-related deaths, a passion she found after witnessing her grandfather’s heart attack when she was younger.
Sligh describes her last time competing for Miss Arkansas as “bittersweet.”
“Just being able to come here and be supported is the cherry on top,” Sligh said.
Bella Crowe of Benton will be competing for the title of Miss Arkansas’ Teen. Before being crowned Miss Saline County’s, Crowe held the titles of Miss Greater Little Rock’s Teen and Miss Metro’s Teen. Crowe will be singing “O Mio Babbino Caro,” an Italian opera, for the talent portion. She will also speak about her platform, Healthy Choices for Healthy Teens. Crowe will be the first Miss Saline County’s Teen to compete for the Miss Arkansas’ Teen title.
Though she is only a senior in high school, Crowe hopes to become a Sports Nutritionist, an area she describes as her purpose. Crowe has already made a nutritional impact in her community through her program, “Beyond Fruit Carts.” This program provides area schools with nutritional snacks for students in need at no cost.
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As a Saline County native, Crowe said “this title mens everything” to her, especially since her mom held the Miss Saline County’s Teen title in 1997. Crowe has lived in Benton her whole life and said “it is everything to represent a community that supports me so well.”
For the past 3 years, Sligh and Crowe have held sister queen titles and have grown very close to each other, an experience they said came from God. From preparations to interviews, these two have done everything together. “Bella is the closest thing I have to a sister,” Sligh said.
In reference to this year being the last year both will compete, Sligh and Crowe shared their feelings of gratitude and thankfulness for the Miss Arkansas Organization for bringing them together. Both Sligh and Crowe extend their gratitude and thankfulness to everyone who has helped and supported them along the way.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This June, artists from a variety of genres spanning from death metal, hip hop and country to hair metal, pop and alternative rock will be hitting stages across the Natural State.
Here is a list of shows happening at venues around the state this month. To stay on top of more events happening in Arkansas, visit our Local Events page.
Arkansas doom legends Rwake return with first new album in 13 years
Mutants Fest
Little Rock band Pallbearer playing at Mutants Fest 2023 at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre
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During the first weekend of June, Little Rock’s River Market will be home to the 10th addition of Mutants Fest, a heavy metal festival featuring headliner’s like Exhorder, The Body, Rwake, Pallbearer and many more. The festival takes place at Stickyz, the CALS Ron Robinson Theater and Rev Room from June 5-7.
Insane Clown Posse
This July 29, 2013 photo shows Joseph Utsler, also known as Shaggy 2 Dope, left, and Joseph Bruce, also known as Violent J, from Insane Clown Posse, in New York. On their FUSE TV weekly show, the Detroit-area rappers critique all things pop culture, claiming to bring an outsiders perspective. A good part of the show has the guys critiquing music videos, much like Beavis and Butthead from a generation ago. (AP Photo/John Carucci)
On June 14, one of the most notorious and controversial rap duos of all time, Insane Clown Posse, will bring their 2025 tour to The Hall. When the group last performed at The Hall, the show was sold out weeks in advance and featured countless bottles of Faygo spewing on the audience.
Rock the Country festival coming to Little Rock next summer
Rock The Country Fest
Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair of Nickelback perform at the Juno Awards on Sunday, April 1, 2012, in Ottawa, Ontario. (AP Photo/Arthur Mola)
Travis Tritt performs in concert at Chastain Amphitheater, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Kid Rock performs before President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Capital One Arena in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
On June 20 and 21, the Arkansas State Fairgrounds will be home to the inaugural touring spectacle known as Rock The Country. Over two days, the event will feature artists like Kid Rock, Nickelback, Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Deana Carter, Afroman and Ying Yang Twins.
Jesse McCartney
Singer Jesse McCartney performs at Z100 Jingle Ball 2008 at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
In June, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park kicks off their 2025 Summer Concert Series with a variety of artists including 2000s pop sensation Jesse McCartney. Other artists performing at Magic Springs in June include Phil Wickham, Clay Walker and Tauren Wells.
6/20-21 – Rock the Country Festival featuring Kid Rock, Nickelback, Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Gavin Adcock, Shenandoah, Mark Chesnutt, Lee Greenwood, Deana Carter, Little Texas, Hudson Westbrook, Logan Crosby, Afroman, Ying Yang Twins and DJ Slim McGraw
Birdies Cabaret Theater and Lounge
6/12 – Argenta Jazz Series w/ Joe Locke
6/19 – Argenta Acoustic Guitar Series w/ Eric Lugosch
6/20 – Bulla w/ Jupiter’s Flytrap and The Gumdrops
6/21 – Direwolf and Mammoth Caravan
The Hall
6/10 – Lil Poppa w/ Joot Breezy
6/14 – Insane Clown Posse
6/15 – An evening with Punch Brothers
6/22 – The Wiz Revisited
Magic Springs
Rev Room
6/6 – The Ultimate Prince Birthday Party featuring Drummerboy Infinity
6/7 – Mutants Fest featuring Pallbearer, Cinder Well, Slowhole, Medicine Horse, Whether and Mammoth Caravan
6/13 – Dexter and the Moonrocks w/ Cigarettes @ Sunset
6/22 – The Antlers & Okkervil River
6/25 – Suffocation w/ Severe Headwound, Death Rattle and Penalty
Robinson Center
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6/20 – Sir Charles Jones and Jay Morris Group
Ron Robinson Theater
6/5 – Mutants Fest featuring The Body, Rwake, Royal Thunder, The Atlas Moth and LRM
Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack
6/5 – Mutants Fest featuring Exhorder, Sunrot, Morbid Visionz, Madman Morgan and Dieoxide
6/6 – Mutants Fest featuring Oriska, Mr. Phylzzz, Adam Faucett and the Spectral Class and B.L.A.S.T.
6/8 – Liam St. John w/ Cam Davis
6/13 – The Dead Deads with Valley of the Sun and Mammoth Caravan
6/20 – Darkness Resurrected Dance Night
6/21 – Cole Chaney w/ Abby Hamilton
6/22 – LadyCouch w/ The Frontier Circus
6/26 – Seth Van Dover w/ Jack Lindsey
Vinos
6/4 – Agonize w/ Dryer Fire and Pitlock
6/7 – New Wave Dance Party benefiting Arkansas community advocates
6/17 – Revocation w/ Vore, Morbid Visionz and LRM
6/22 – Green Jelly w/ From This Day Forward, Zilla and Riot Dogs
6/26 – Primitive Rage w/ Emaciated, B.L.A.S.T. and Dreggs
Walmart AMP
6/4 – Simple Minds w/ Soft Cell and Modern English
6/5 – Thomas Rhett w/ Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows
6/8 – The Black Keys w/ The Heavy Heavy
6/14 – Bailey Zimmerman w/ Dylan Marlowe and Drew Baldridge
6/19 – Luke Bryan w/ Adrien Nunez, Ashland Craft, Cole Goodwin and DJ Rock
6/20 – TobyMac w/ Zach Williams and We The Kingdom
6/23 – Def Leppard w/ Bret Michaels
6/28 – Old Dominion w/ ERNEST and Redferrin
Whitewater Tavern
6/6 – Rodney Block Collective
6/8 – Trevor Bates w/ Revenge Bodies and Blanket of M
6/12 – Esme Patterson w/ Adam Faucett
6/20 – Seanfresh w/ Cece Simmons and DJ P. Smooth
6/25 – Sweet Meggs w/ Annie Ford
6/26 – Those Pretty Wrongs
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With the dead period just a month away, the Arkansas Razorbacks will be conducting multiple official visits over the next few weeks.
The past weekend, head coach Sam Pittman and his staff hosted eight 2026 prospects that included current commitments Jayvon Gilmore, a three-star quarterback from South Carolina, and Hot Springs Lakeside three-star offensive lineman Tucker Young.
The other six are also names to watch who could possibly be the next to give their pledge to Arkansas for the 2026 class.
The Razorbacks plan to host prospects over the next three weekends (June 6-8, June 13-15, June 20-22) until the dead period kicks in on June 23 and it will not conclude until July 31.
Richard Davenport has covered recruiting for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and wholehogsports.com since 2007. He appears weekly on “The Morning Rush” with Tye Richardson and Tommy Craft on 95.3 FM in Fort Smith, 96.3 FM in Hot Springs, 104.3 FM in Harrison/Mountain Home and 99.5 FM in Fayetteville, and on “Out of Bounds” with Wess Moore and Joe Franklin on 103.7 FM in Little Rock.