Muskogee Azalea Festival's Major Weekend is Here

This one is not Civil War related (although the nearby Honey Springs Battlefield is well worth a look), but one of my favorite events in the region moves into high gear this weekend.

Saturday will be the main day for this year's Muskogee Azalea Festival in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The annual festival is one of the finest such events in the South. Honor Heights Park, where the main festival is held, will feature carriage rides, food, activities for kids and lots more this on Saturday. The park features one of the finest settings of azaleas and dogwoods you will find anywhere. They have more than 600 varieties growing in beautiful plantings that you can explore by either walking or driving.

The festival is free to explore, although various attractions like the carriage rides do charge. Some other unique events goiing on in conjunction with the festival are trolley rides through historic parts of Muskogee, an art exhibition at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, a chili cookoff and more.

Muskogee is an easy drive from much of western Arkansas and is only an hour or so from downtown Fort Smith. If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okmuskogeeazalea.