Mulberry Mountain Events and Lodging Offers Diverse Adventures

Hot Air Balloon Festival Set for June 6-7

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. October 14, 2008

OZARK, AR, June 4, 2008. Mulberry Mountain Events and Lodging near Ozark offers three diverse experiences - the solitude of a pastoral setting, access to outdoor adventures such as hiking and canoeing, and four big annual events enjoyed by throngs of people.

Mulberry Mountain is located on the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, which is Ark. 23 from the south boundary of the Ozark National Forest to its intersection with Ark. 16 at Brashears. The rugged and forested Boston Mountains region of the Ozark Mountains provides the setting for this route, portions of which run through a tunnel of foliage during spring, summer and fall. Spring wildflowers and brilliant autumn foliage make the route especially popular during those seasons. The byway crosses the Mulberry River and the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail.

This backdrop provides the pastoral scene for Mulberry Mountain, which contains seven cabins that can sleep from two to 10 people and a 5,000-square-foot lodge that sleeps up to 19. One of the cabins is a Sears, Roebuck and Co. house brought to the mountain in the 1920s by the Parker family, who once owned the land. The tree-shaded campground has 50 full hook-up sites for tents and recreational vehicles, but can also accommodate a large number of people for tent camping without water or electricity. A new bathhouse with showers is accessible to all.

"We own 400 acres here and it is surrounded by National Forest," Owner Vernon Patton said. In the direct vicinity, the Pattons also own about 250 acres directly on the Mulberry River and offer some group camping there.

Activities at Mulberry Mountain include access from the property to the Ozark Highlands Trail and other trails. Mountain Creek Waterfall Trail exists within the Forest Service but the trailhead is located just off of their land. Patton's son Dewey, who handles most of the event planning, said a 60-foot waterfall and two 20-foot waterfalls can be seen on that trail.

Mulberry Mountain also offers ATV trail riding. They do not rent ATVs, but customers can bring their own and access Forest Service trails. They also have stables and are popular with those that want to bring their own horses and ride the trails.

"We have four mini lakes for fishing," Vernon Patton added.

Canoeing and kayaking the Mulberry River is popular and boats can be rented at nearby Byrd's Adventure Center or Turners Bend. Arkansas Wine Country is less than 25 miles away at Altus.

Dewey Patton said some women use Mulberry Mountain as a girlfriend getaway by taking tours and enjoying tastings at the nearby wineries and then staying at Mulberry Mountain cabins. Vernon Patton said his place is also popular for corporate parties, reunions and weddings. Facilities include a 6,000-square-foot convention center.

"We took over out here about three years ago," Dewey Patton said. He explained that his family had been looking for a place for its business to expand. For years Vernon Patton ran the Ole Applegate Place Arts and Crafts Fair in Bentonville. Development encroached on the farm feel of the Bentonville location, so the Pattons moved to Ozark to continue their arts and crafts offering but also to become a year-round destination. We're known for arts and crafts but we're doing so much more," Vernon Patton explained.

Four main events take place at Mulberry Mountain each year: Hot Air Balloon Festival, Harvest Music Festival, Pigtrail Motorcycle Rally and the Ole Applegate Place Arts & Crafts Festival.

The first big event of the season will be the Hot Air Balloon Festival and Astronomy Star Party on June 6-7. On Friday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. the first balloons will fly. At 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 7 the balloons will rise again. Throughout the day there will be tethered balloon rides, sunset glows, and hot air balloon games activities for kids and food vendors. A fishing tournament, open to all ages will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Vernon Patton said the balloons will spend more time playing on the mountain instead of just taking off and floating away each day by playing hot air balloon games. The Astronomy Star Party will be sponsored by the Arkansas/Oklahoma Astronomy Society. It will include a public observation area, vendors and an astronomical swap meet. The cost for the festival will be $3 per person with 12 and under free. However those camping or staying in cabins at Mulberry Mountain receive free admission.

"We have an unusually dark sky out here," said Dewey Patton. "It's really a pristine night sky."

The Harvest Music Festival will be Sept. 11-13 with more than 25 bands on three different stages. The permanent main stage is constructed from cedar, native stone and rustic metal and the festival is sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.

Headlining will be Leftover Salmon and Umphrey's McGee. The music line up will also include The Wailers, The Avett Brothers, Perpetual Groove, Split Lip Rayfield, Hot Buttered Rum, New Monsoon, Big Smith, Great American Taxi, Cornmeal, BoomBox, Hackensaw Boys, Oakhurst, My-Tea Kind, Blue Turtle Seduction, Elephant Revival Concept, Family Groove Company, Green Mountain Grass, Ben Miller Band, Dirtfoot, Speakeasy, Mountain of Venus, The Shotgun Brothers Band, and 3 Penny Acre.

Gates will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11. Music will play until around 3 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. Tickets for the music festival are available in advance at $120 for a three-day pass or $95 for a two-day pass. Camping is included in all ticket prices. Tickets at the gate are $140 for a three-day pass and $115 for a two-day pass. Saturday only tickets are available in advance or at the gate for $65. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mulberrymountainmusic.com. Closer to the event, tickets will be available at Fayetteville locations such as Sound Warehouse and George's Majestic Lounge.

About 2,500 people camped on-site during last year's music festival. "This year we hope to double that," said Dewey Patton. Festival-goers also attended from more than 25 states.

In addition to the music festival, the Pattons also hope to offer some concerts through the summer. "We want to make this a real destination for arts and music in the Ozarks," Dewey Patton said. "Great music and a great atmosphere in one place."

The Pig Trail Motorcycle Rally on Sept. 24-27 is set to coincide with Bikes, Blues & BBQ in Fayetteville, located about 45 minutes to the northwest. Dewey Patton said they are trying to add to the Fayetteville event, not take away from it. Mulberry Mountain will offer camping, live music, vendors and motorcycle games. "The Pig Trail is a hot destination for motorcycles that week," he added. For more information, visit www.pigtrailrally.com.

Part of the War Eagle Weekend fall crafts fairs, Ole Applegate Arts and Crafts Festival will be Oct. 15-18. While this is the 22nd year for the Pattons to hold the annual event, it is only the second year for it to take place at Mulberry Mountain. There will be about 400 arts and crafts vendors, a hot air balloon and a carriage to take people to and from their cars. Details can be found online at www.oleapplegateplace.com.

"They walk away with an experience," Dewey Patton said. "They're not just going to a mall parking lot. It's a festival, not just arts and crafts."

For information on lodging and other facilities, visit www.mulberrymountainlodge.com or phone 866-667-1919.