<% ' create variables to load data Dim conn ' As ADODB.Connection Dim strDatabaseLocation ' String to hold database path Dim rsFestivals ' As ADODB.RecordSet Dim strSQL ' string to hold SQL query Dim strWebsite ' String to hold concatenated website hyper link 'create variables to be used by FnE.asp when searching by city or month Dim blnAddedWhere strDatabaseLocation = Application("byways_ConnectionString") Set conn = Server.CreateObject ("ADODB.Connection") conn.ConnectionString = strDatabaseLocation conn.Open strSQL = "SELECT * FROM Festivals " blnAddedWhere = False 'check city name to see if match If Request ("optCities") <> "" Then If Not blnAddedWhere Then strSQL = strSQL & " WHERE " blnAddedWhere = True End If strSQL = strSQL & " City LIKE '%"_ & Request("optCities")_ & "%' " End If ' run query now that all additions have been made Set rsFestivals = conn.Execute(strSQL) %> Great River Road

Great River Road

Driving Directions | Attractions

Eastern Arkansas is a vital part of The Great River Road, a scenic parkway that follows the Mississippi River through the ten states bordering the river.

From its headwaters at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to its entry into the Gulf of Mexico, the mighty Mississippi River flows transportation, recreation, energy and industry through the heartland of America. Fascinating stops all along the way recall great moments in history.

The history of America evolved along the banks of this mighty stream. From the days of Native Americans, de Soto, Marquette and Joliet, the Civil War, steamboats and Mark Twain, the Mississippi River has played a vital role in the development of the nation.

Treat yourself and your family to an unforgettable view of the Eastern Arkansas segment of this great route. Just follow the green and white pilot wheel highway markers as you travel. Arkansas interpretive centers for The Great River Road are located at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena and Lake Chicot State Park at Lake Village.

Driving The Great River Road

The Great River Road-Arkansas follows Delta lands shaped by the awesome power of the Mississippi River. Throughout the journey, the river rarely shows itself. But its handiwork is evident in the natural landforms and the rich alluvial soil that once nurtured only swamps, bayous and bottomland forests. Over time, diverse cultures have inhabited the region, adapting the river's fertile gifts into the most production farmland in the world, and leaving echoes of their history on the landscape.

Out-of-state travelers are likely to enter The Great River Road-Arkansas via connecting Great River Road segments in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi or Louisiana. Access points include U. S. 61 South from Missouri, I-55 North from Tennessee, U. S. 49 West from Mississippi, U. S. 82 West from Mississippi, or U. S. 65 North from Louisiana. For convenience, driving directions are given from North to South. But feel free to pick up the byway from any direction and take plenty of time to enjoy the sights.

Directions:

Begin your North-South journey along Arkansas' Great River Road at the historic concrete arch that spans U. S. Highway 61 at the Missouri-Arkansas Line. Drive South on U. S. 61 through Blytheville, Osceola and Wilson to S. H. 77. (Sidetrips: The Buffalo Island towns of Manila, Leachville, Monette, Caraway and Black Oak are accessible from U. S. 61 at Blytheville. The Sunken Lands towns of Tyronza, Marked Tree, Trumann, Lake City and Lepanto are accessible from S. H. 77 at Turrell.)

Take S. H. 77 South through Marion. (Sidetrip: Parkin and Earle) Continue on S. H. 77 South to West Memphis. At U. S. 70 in West Memphis, also known as Broadway, head west to S. H. 147. (An alternate is to head east on U. S. 70 through downtown West Memphis to I-55 and the Tennessee State Line.)

Take S. H. 147 south to S. H. 38, then S. H. 38 West to Hughes. (Side trip: Madison and Forrest City). At Hughes, take U. S. 79 South to Marianna.

Drive through Marianna on S. H. 44 (Chestnut and Poplar Streets in the downtown area) and enter the St. Francis National Forest. Lee C. R. 221, Phillips C. R. 217, and Phillips County 239 will take you through the St. Francis National Forest to Helena. (Side trips: West Helena and Marvell)

Through Helena, you will be on Holly, Columbia and Biscoe Streets. From Helena, take S. H. 44 South to Elaine; S. H. 20 West to S. H. 318; S. H. 318 North to S. H. 316; and S. H. 316 West to S. H. 1. (Side trip: Brinkley, Clarendon, and Holly Grove)

S. H. 1 will lead you across the White River to St. Charles. (Side trip: Stuttgart). Continue south on S. H. 1 to DeWitt. At DeWitt, take U. S. 165 South, crossing the Arkansas River. At this point, travelers can continue on U. S. 165 to U. S. 65 South at Dumas, or turn east onto S. H. 1 at Back Gate.

The Back Gate route on S. H. 1 leads East and South to S. H. 4, which goes South to Arkansas City, then heads back west to rejoin U. S. 65 at McGehee.

U. S. l 65 South takes you from Dumas to Lake Village (Side Trips: Monticello and Dermott). At Lake Village, you have the option to continue South on U. S. 65 through Eudora to the Louisiana Line, or head East on U. S. 82 to the Mississippi River Bridge and the Mississippi State Line.

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