Thousands of jonquils, craftsmen, classic cars and smiling visitors are set to signal the arrival of spring in Southwest Arkansas as the 58th Annual Jonquil Festival blooms at Historic Washington State Park March 20–21.
This beloved two-day tradition, one of the region’s longest-running spring celebrations, welcomes locals and travelers alike for an event filled with arts and crafts, live entertainment, delicious food and family-friendly fun.
What to Expect
• Free festival admission with a $5 parking fee per car makes this an accessible outing for families and friends.
• Arts & Crafts Vendors from around the region will line the historic streets, offering handmade creations and unique keepsakes.
• Delicious food booths will dish up a variety of festival favorites.
• A Classic Car and Tractor Show on Saturday brings flash and nostalgia to the celebration.
• Tours of Historic Washington’s homes, museums and park buildings will be available at regular prices, giving visitors a chance to step back into 19th-century Arkansas life.
The Jonquil Festival has its roots in the 1960s when a small tour of blooming jonquils around Washington evolved into a full-blown community festival celebrating both the flowers and the region’s heritage. Today, thousands of jonquils — a type of daffodil — lend bright yellows and whites to the park’s historic landscapes, creating a picturesque backdrop for the festivities.
Historic Washington State Park itself preserves one of Arkansas’s most intact 19th-century towns, showcasing antebellum homes, a historic courthouse, museums and interpretive programming that illustrate life in the early frontier and antebellum eras.
Whether you’re eager for spring blooms, tasty festival food, classic cars or a stroll through history, the Jonquil Festival has something for everyone. More information is available through the event’s Facebook page.
Historic Washington State Park — A Brief Background
Founded in 1824 as a thriving Southwest Arkansas town on the pioneer Southwest Trail, Washington later became a center of commerce and political activity. The town’s historic district was preserved and restored beginning in the 1950s, ultimately becoming a state park in 1973. Today it features dozens of restored buildings where visitors can explore Arkansas’s frontier, antebellum and Civil War-era history.
