A 30-year community tradition returns to downtown Beebe on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as the annual Fallin’ Blackbird Festival brings live entertainment, food vendors, a returning car show, free children’s activities, a 5K race and the festival’s famous Blackbird Pie.
The celebration will take place from 10 AM until 3 PM along North Main Street in downtown Beebe, with the Fallin’ Blackbird 5K beginning earlier at 7 AM.
Although Beebe’s annual fall celebration is marking its 30th year, the Fallin’ Blackbird Festival name is only about 8 years old. The event was previously known as the Beebe Fall Festival.
Camille Stout, President and CEO of the Beebe Chamber of Commerce, and Kali Golf joined ArkansasRadio.com Radio Stations owner Bob Connell on his Open Mic program to discuss the festival’s history, new attractions and growing popularity.
30 YEARS OF TRADITION, 8 YEARS AS THE FALLIN’ BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL
Stout explained that the celebration originally began as a traditional community fall festival before organizers adopted a name inspired by one of the most unusual events in Beebe’s history.
“This is the 30th year. However, this is the 8th year for the Fallen Blackbird Fest,” Stout said.
On December 31, 2010, thousands of red-winged blackbirds suddenly fell from the sky over Beebe, attracting national and international media attention.
“An unusual event just sort of put us on an international spotlight in Beebe,” Stout explained.
Investigators attributed the birds’ deaths to blunt-force trauma, with possible collisions involving buildings, trees and other objects.
The unusual incident generated widespread public curiosity and numerous theories about what caused the birds to fall.
Years later, festival organizers decided to turn that unusual piece of Beebe history into a recognizable community celebration.
“So we took something that wasn’t the best that happened in the community that day and we just sort of made light of it now,” Stout told Connell.
What was once the Beebe Fall Festival is now known throughout the region as the Fallin’ Blackbird Festival.
Stout said the celebration continues growing as organizers work with local businesses, vendors and community members to introduce additional attractions.
“We’re excited and it just continues growing every year,” Stout said.
FREE KIDS ZONE PACKED WITH FAMILY ACTIVITIES
One of the festival’s biggest attractions is its free Kids Zone, which will feature activities for children throughout the afternoon.
“This year, of course we’re going to have the kid zone, which is absolutely free,” Stout said.
Families can look forward to a petting zoo, foam party, bounce houses, obstacle courses, balloon artist, rock-climbing wall and face painting.
The free activities are designed to provide an affordable outing for families traveling to Beebe from across White County and surrounding communities.
CAR SHOW RETURNS FOR 2026
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the return of the festival car show.
Stout explained that the car show had previously been part of the festival before taking a break.
“We’re bringing it back,” she said.
Interest in the car show has been strong, with additional groups contacting organizers about participating.
Stout said festival activities and vendors will stretch from the Chamber’s location at 102 North Main Street toward First United Methodist Church.
“I mean, we are at 102 North Main, all the way down to the First United Methodist Church and we are full,” Stout said.
Organizers expect a busy downtown as residents and visitors explore the car show, entertainment, food vendors and shopping opportunities.
Stout said the Chamber continues working with vendors and community members to find new ways to improve and expand the annual event.
FALLIN’ BLACKBIRD 5K BREAKS REGISTRATION RECORD
The festivities begin at 7 AM Saturday with the Fallin’ Blackbird 5K.
During the Open Mic interview, Stout announced that registration had already reached a new record.
“The 5K is huge,” Stout said. “And this year we are at a record.”
According to Stout, 257 runners had registered as of the interview, with additional participants expected before race day.
She said race registration would remain available until 6 AM Saturday.
In addition to the competitive running event, participants are encouraged to wear creative costumes inspired by the festival’s blackbird theme.
Golf explained that the race recognizes both speed and creativity.
“We also have an award for the fastest team and the most spirited decked out team,” Golf said.
She added that seeing runners cross the finish line wearing bird wings and costumes is part of the fun.
The race has become a major attraction for the annual festival, bringing runners, walkers and spectators into downtown Beebe before the main festival begins.
WHAT’S REALLY IN THE FAMOUS BLACKBIRD PIE?
One of the festival’s most unusual traditions is its Blackbird Pie, a dessert that has become a conversation starter among visitors.
During Open Mic, Connell asked Golf about the pie and the mystery surrounding its ingredients.
Golf explained that the special pies are used during the festival’s pie-eating contest.
“But it’s kind of a secret recipe,” Golf said.
She joked that organizers do not want others copying the recipe and encouraged listeners to use their imaginations.
The Blackbird Pie and pie-eating contest have become recognizable parts of the celebration, adding another lighthearted connection to the city’s unusual history.
FESTIVAL FOOD, VENDORS AND DOWNTOWN SHOPPING
In addition to the Blackbird Pie, festival visitors can enjoy a variety of food vendors offering traditional festival favorites and specialty treats.
Golf told Connell she was especially looking forward to loaded nachos and some of the fried foods expected to be offered.
Stout mentioned another unusual food item.
“Probably I’ve heard that we’re going to have some apple nachos,” Stout said.
Food vendors will be joined by booths offering shopping opportunities, crafts, merchandise and other attractions throughout downtown Beebe.
The five-hour event is designed to provide plenty of activities without taking up an entire weekend.
“We don’t want our vendors just kind of having any lag time during the day,” Golf explained.
Organizers say the shorter festival schedule is popular with families balancing other activities during the busy fall season.
ARKANSASRADIO.COM RADIO STATIONS BROADCASTING LIVE
ArkansasRadio.com Radio Stations will be part of the celebration, bringing live radio coverage from the Fallin’ Blackbird Festival.
Connell said the ArkansasRadio.com Road Gang and broadcast team will be on location, sharing updates and highlighting activities taking place throughout the festival.
The live coverage will give listeners across central and north-central Arkansas an opportunity to hear about the celebration and the people helping make it possible.
During Open Mic, Connell praised the festival’s continued growth and the unique way Beebe has turned an unusual event from its past into an annual community tradition.
Stout said organizers remain excited about the festival’s future and continue looking for opportunities to make it better each year.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026
7 AM — FALLIN’ BLACKBIRD 5K
The annual race takes place in downtown Beebe, with participants encouraged to wear creative blackbird-themed costumes.
10 AM–3 PM — FALLIN’ BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL
Activities include:
– Free Kids Zone
– Petting zoo and foam party
– Bounce houses and obstacle courses
– Rock wall and face painting
– Returning car show
– Live entertainment
– Food vendors
– Downtown shopping
– Blackbird Pie and pie-eating contest
– Live coverage from ArkansasRadio.com Radio Stations
LOCATION:
Downtown Beebe, along North Main Street near the Beebe Chamber of Commerce at 102 North Main Street.
DATE:
Saturday, October 17, 2026.
TIME:
10 AM–3 PM, with the 5K beginning at 7 AM.
MORE INFORMATION:
Beebe Chamber of Commerce
https://www.beebechamberofcommerce.com
The Fallin’ Blackbird Festival continues a 30-year fall celebration tradition in Beebe, now in approximately its 8th year under the blackbird-themed name.
What began as a traditional small-town fall festival has grown into a recognizable regional attraction that celebrates Beebe’s community spirit and one of the most unusual events in Arkansas history.
For residents and visitors throughout White County and surrounding areas, Saturday’s celebration offers a chance to enjoy food, entertainment, shopping and family activities while supporting the local community.
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