For centuries, pecan orchards have been admired for their beauty and, yes, their bounty. Just 20 minutes from Little Rock, the small town of Keo (known as the Pecan Capital of Arkansas) is making sure the state’s official nut is properly celebrated with an annual event, the Arkansas Pecan Festival. Held the first Saturday in December, the event is becoming a tasty tradition. We sat down with Keo Mayor Stephanie White for a look at what to expect in downtown Keo on Saturday, December 7.
Q: The festival is in its third year now. How did it get its start?
A: The Arkansas Pecan Festival started as the Keo Pecan Festival in 2021 as a way to educate consumers and students about pecans as an important specialty crop, highlight Keo’s beautiful orchards, and bring the community together for a fun celebration of the pecan harvest season.
Q: Why pecans in particular?
A: There are numerous and abundant pecan orchards in and around Keo. Not only the large commercial orchards, but most everyone around has or knows someone with pecan trees on their property. We also have the beautiful Pecan Alley on Highway 161, which can be seen when you’re making your way along the back roads to Keo. For all these reasons, Keo was declared and rebranded as the Pecan Capital of Arkansas.
Q: The festival is held all along Main Street in Keo. What can guests expect to see when they arrive?
A: It’s a lively and festive environment celebrating all things pecans, pecan trees, and squirrels. The Festival will start as the Pie Ride cyclists zoom by Main Street on their way for a 36-mile ride around south Lonoke County (“SoLoCo”), taking in some of the area’s most beautiful orchards. Keo’s mascot, Keodore Squirrel, and his new little sister, Keodorable, will be on hand to welcome guests. We have over a dozen food trucks, 75 retail vendors, a classic car show, Santa and Mrs. Claus, performances by Sable’s Dancers, the England High School band, and 2nd St. Choir. On the live music stage, Steve Boyster “Boysterous” and Tragikly White will be the headline acts. Recycled Bikes 4 Kids will have a bicycle safety “roadeo” and give away free bikes. Miss Arkansas, Camille Cathey, will be joining us as well. Bring your lawn chair to relax and listen to great music while kids play the day away in bouncy houses and at carnival games.
Q: Is there anything new you are particularly excited about this year?
A: We are debuting the Arkansas State Squirrel Calling Contest. Contestants will have 30 seconds to perform their best squirrel call onstage with World Champion Squirrel Cooking Contest founder Joe Wilson, who is emceeing the event.
Q: We hear there are some pretty intense competitions involving pecan-based foods. What are the competitions? Can anyone enter?
A: The Arkansas State Pecan Pie Championship is open to professional, amateur, and junior bakers. There are opportunities to claim bragging rights as pie or baking champion for all three categories, and anyone can enter. Pecan pies and delicacies are due to the competition table at the festival by 10 a.m. There is a $10 entry fee for each. The Championship will be judged by a pre-selected group, and The Mighty Rib, a well-known local food influencer, will announce the winners around noon.
Q: If we aren’t lucky enough to judge the baking competition, what food vendors will be available for festival guests?
A: There will be food options for every taste imaginable. Food trucks will be serving barbecue, fish, Southern California dishes, specialty hot dogs, Cajun food, hamburgers, hibachi, traditional fair food, and ice cream. Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets will only be serving their famous pies that day rather than their full lunch menu. You won’t want to miss the Governor’s Pie, a decadent chocolate bourbon pecan pie, served at the inaugural ball. It is a crowd favorite!
Arkansas Pecan Festival
Presented by the American Pecan Council and Diamond Bear Brewing
Saturday, December 7, 2024
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Main Street in Keo
The Arkansas Pecan Festival is free to attend. Food and retail vendors will be accepting cash and card payments. Pets on leashes are welcome. Learn more at facebook.com/keopecanfest.
Photography courtesy of Arkansas Pecan Festival
