BANKS, Ark. – This past weekend, the town of Banks came alive with excitement as it hosted its much-anticipated and historic-annual Buck Fever Festival. The festival, a longstanding tradition in the community, marks the opening of the deer season in Arkansas and offers a variety of activities for the local community of Banks and visitors from the surrounding area.
All photos by Tim Kessler.
The festivities kicked off on Friday with one of the largest Miss Buck Fever Pageants in recent history in terms of the number of contestants. Results from the pageant will be covered in a separate article by the Saline River Chronicle.
The main event unfolded on Saturday, November 11, with a day full of family-friendly activities and events. Downtown Banks was transformed into a bustling place of excitement with vendors offering a wide array of items, including clothing, jewelry, cookies, baked goods, chocolates, and custom wooden signs. The festival also hosted a flu clinic.
One of the highlights of the day was the parade at noon, featuring Nadjada Portman as the Parade Marshall. The procession showcased the City of Banks Volunteer Fire Department, The Warren High School JROTC, Sahara Shriners, hunting club displays, pageant contestants, antique cars, the Hermitage High School Drumline, Sparky the Fire Dog, and more.
Following the parade, children had the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for the first time this year. A variety of kid-friendly activities were available, including a build-a-bear station, bouncy houses, games, snow cones, face painting, a camo obstacle course, inflatable axe throwing, and a cake walk.
Adding to the festival’s charm, this year included a petting zoo for attendees to enjoy.
For those with a hearty appetite, a full fried fish lunch was served on Saturday, with Banks Mayor Keeton Hudson and other volunteers pitching in to make the meal a success.
As the day progressed, the community gathered for the Banks All Class Reunion at the Banks Community Center. The festivities continued with a talent show, awards for the biggest deer from the morning hunts, a baggo tournament, and a bonfire and street dance. The evening was capped off with a performance by the band Stone Pony.
The festival concluded on Sunday morning with a unique touch – a camo praise and worship service held at the downtown tent. Brother Jim Bales delivered an uplifting message, and lunch was served at no cost, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among attendees.
The Buck Fever Festival in Banks, Arkansas, once again proved to be a resounding success, offering a blend of tradition, family fun, and community spirit. Residents and visitors alike left with cherished memories of a weekend filled with laughter, entertainment, and a celebration of the great outdoors.
