Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series Music in the Park with the theme “Celebrating America.” Free concerts will be held in June, July, and August on the 1874 Courthouse lawn. This year America celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Listen to mixtures of Americana music over the years from the 19th century to the present. Join the community as they did in the past to enjoy evenings of great musical entertainment at Historic Washington State Park. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.Concert Lineup: June 20—Frontier Brigade BandFrontier Brigade Band is from the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. They seek to preserve the musical heritage of America's oldest and most prestigious military bands. The Frontier Brigade Band performs music compositions and arrangements from The American Brass Band Movement (1840-1880). Learn more at www.frontierbrigadeband.com.    July 3—Stewart FamilyThe Stewart Family is a family band from Many, Louisiana that plays a variety of American and bluegrass music. Come and enjoy as they take you through several favorites of Americana string music. This evening will be part of entire weekend of American 250 celebrations at the park. August 15—McWilliams Family and Music CompetitionMcWilliams Family Band is a local family from Southwest Arkansas that plays a mixture of Americana folk and bluegrass music. They have entertained neighbors and friends alike at church gatherings and community events. They also run the Gap Mercantile Store in Caddo Gap, Arkansas. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/gapmercantile/. In addition, we will host a competition allowing musicians and soloists to compose and perform their own original work with some aspect of “America” and its 250 year history as the topic. Area judges will award prizes at the end of the evening for 1st place--$500, 2nd place-- $300, and 3rd place -- $200. Applications for the contest can be received by calling the Park Visitor Center at 870-983-2684. Applications to perform must be postmarked by August 1, 2026. The event is supported in part by City of Washington Tourism, Bobbie Arnold Atkinson Foundation, Tyson Foods, Farmers Bank and Trust, Lagrone Williams Hardware, Washington Grace Cottage, Hempstead County Historical Society, and Historic Washington State Park.

Historic Washington State Park will host several different activities celebrating “America 250” from Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5. The Declaration of Independence will be read three times each day from the front porch of the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Living history programs will be presented at some of the different historic sites in town that talk about the national connection of many of Washington’s past residents. Historic games will be available to play along with a station to make your own patriotic cockade. Special programming about how Washingtonians celebrated the nation’s 79th birthday in 1855, famous travelers who came through Washington on the Southwest Trail, and how national independence may have had unexpected outcomes will also be available. On Friday evening, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m., the Stewart family of Many, Louisiana will be performing as part of the Music in the Park: “Celebrating America” series sharing their love of bluegrass and Americana music. A presentation by the Washington Vintage Dancers will precede the performance. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the evening. Food for purchase will be served on the lawn before the event beginning at 6pm. BBQ and other southern foods will be available at Williams Tavern Restaurant throughout the festive weekend for lunch. Horse-drawn carriage rides will also be provided, weather permitting. Exhibits that explore 250 years of United States history, through the perspective of a small southwest Arkansas town of Washington will be at the park visitor center for viewing along with a self-guided tour of the streets of Washington, and the American heroes they are named after.For more information contact the park visitor center at 870-983-2684.

Free Admission to the Public- Live Music, Kids Activities, Food Trucks and Fireworks

Klipsch & HDN will present three concerts at the HUB (May-July). Come early and grab dinner at Tailgaters & then join us at the HUB for a night of awesome music. Sweet Escape Arkansas will be on hand selling tasty drinks!

Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series Music in the Park with the theme “Celebrating America.” Free concerts will be held in June, July, and August on the 1874 Courthouse lawn. This year America celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Listen to mixtures of Americana music over the years from the 19th century to the present. Join the community as they did in the past to enjoy evenings of great musical entertainment at Historic Washington State Park. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.Concert Lineup: June 20—Frontier Brigade BandFrontier Brigade Band is from the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. They seek to preserve the musical heritage of America's oldest and most prestigious military bands. The Frontier Brigade Band performs music compositions and arrangements from The American Brass Band Movement (1840-1880). Learn more at www.frontierbrigadeband.com.    July 3—Stewart FamilyThe Stewart Family is a family band from Many, Louisiana that plays a variety of American and bluegrass music. Come and enjoy as they take you through several favorites of Americana string music. This evening will be part of entire weekend of American 250 celebrations at the park. August 15—McWilliams Family and Music CompetitionMcWilliams Family Band is a local family from Southwest Arkansas that plays a mixture of Americana folk and bluegrass music. They have entertained neighbors and friends alike at church gatherings and community events. They also run the Gap Mercantile Store in Caddo Gap, Arkansas. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/gapmercantile/. In addition, we will host a competition allowing musicians and soloists to compose and perform their own original work with some aspect of “America” and its 250 year history as the topic. Area judges will award prizes at the end of the evening for 1st place--$500, 2nd place-- $300, and 3rd place -- $200. Applications for the contest can be received by calling the Park Visitor Center at 870-983-2684. Applications to perform must be postmarked by August 1, 2026. The event is supported in part by City of Washington Tourism, Bobbie Arnold Atkinson Foundation, Tyson Foods, Farmers Bank and Trust, Lagrone Williams Hardware, Washington Grace Cottage, Hempstead County Historical Society, and Historic Washington State Park.

President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace National Historic Site will host an “Evening of Jazz.” This free event will take place on the stage of the Klipsch Museum, with food trucks available on-site. This year, the jazz ensemble from Louisiana State University will perform alongside musicians from Hope High School. Bring your favorite camping chair and enjoy this musical treat.In the event of inclement weather, please contact the park. The alternate location will be the auditorium at City Hall.

"Taste of Hope" is Hope Downtown Network's signature event. It takes place every year on the first Saturday in October. The event spotlights and showcases restaurants and eateries throughout Hope and Hempstead County. Activities include, Bingo, Mural Painting, Auction, and Voting for the next HDN project. The 4th Annual Taste of Hope theme and all theme-driven activities will be announced at a later date.