Forrest City
Around Forrest City
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Town and around · Arkansas · 21k people
Forrest City
Locals say Arkansas Delta · “City of Trees”
Heart of the Arkansas Delta
Delta sunset orangeField olive greenRiver steel blue
Welcome to Forrest City, the heart of the Arkansas Delta! Whether you're here for the catfish, the hunting, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly community with deep roots in the land.
Clubs for Forrest City
No clubs for Forrest City yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Forrest City. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Forrest City. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Crowley's Ridge A unique geological formation rising above the flat Delta.
- St. Francis National Forest Public forest with hiking and camping.
- White River National Wildlife Refuge Habitat for ducks and other wildlife.
- Delta Heritage Trail State Park Rail trail for walking and biking.
- St. Francis River Popular for fishing and boating.
- Outdoors Duck hunting on the White River
- Outdoors Fishing in the St. Francis River
- With kids County fairs
- With kids Swimming at the community pool
- Evenings Local bars with live music
- Evenings High school football games
- Locals love Catfish restaurants
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- St. Francis County Fair September Annual county fair with livestock and carnival rides.
- Cross County Fair August County fair in Wynne with exhibits and entertainment.
- Lee County Fair July County fair in Marianna with agricultural displays.
The climate is humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “the Delta”
- The Arkansas Delta region
- “the Ridge”
- Crowley's Ridge
- “y'all”
- You all
- “fixin' to”
- About to
Getaways
- Memphis Music, BBQ, and the Mississippi River.
- Clarksdale Blues heritage and juke joints.
- Jonesboro Shopping and dining hub in northeast Arkansas.
- Searcy Historic town with a charming square.
Local flavour
Rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks, Memphis Grizzlies, St. Louis Cardinals
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish A Delta staple, often served with hush puppies and coleslaw.
- Delta tamales A regional specialty with roots in the Mississippi Delta, often sold at roadside stands.
- Barbecue Pulled pork and ribs are common at local smokehouses.
- Hush puppies Cornmeal fritters, a classic side with fried fish.
Where people go
- Catfish restaurants Family-owned spots serving fried catfish and hush puppies.
- Barbecue joints Local smokehouses with slow-cooked meats and tangy sauces.
- Cotton fields The iconic white rows of cotton that stretch across the Delta.
- Hunting and fishing camps Rustic retreats near the rivers and bayous, popular for duck hunting and crappie fishing.
- Small-town diners Casual eateries where locals gather for breakfast and coffee.
Heritage and traditions
Locals are proud of their deep Delta heritage, from cotton fields and blues music to duck hunting and small-town hospitality.
This time of year in Forrest City
- Duck hunting season Fall Fall and winter tradition on the White River.
- County fair season Fall Fall fairs in each county with rides and exhibits.
- Brinkley Duck Festival Fall Honors the region's duck hunting heritage with events.
- St. Francis County Fair Fall Traditional county fair with livestock and carnival.
Say it like a local: “Fish fry” — A meal with fried catfish and sides.
Festivals
- Wynne Watermelon Festival Summer Celebrates the local watermelon harvest with contests and food.
- Brinkley Duck Festival Fall Honors the region's duck hunting heritage with events.
- St. Francis County Fair Fall Traditional county fair with livestock and carnival.
- Cross County Fair Fall Agricultural fair in Wynne with exhibits and rides.
- Lee County Fair Fall Small-town fair in Marianna with local traditions.
- Delta Blues Festival Spring Local blues music celebration in the Delta.
Landmarks with a story
- Crowley's Ridge A unique geological formation with scenic drives and history.
- Forrest City Museum Local history exhibits and artifacts.
- St. Francis County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Forrest City.
- Marianna Historic District Antebellum and early 20th-century buildings.
- Historic churches in Wynne Several 19th-century churches reflect faith heritage.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish dinners A Delta staple, often served with hush puppies and slaw.
- Delta tamales Spiced meat wrapped in corn husks, a unique regional twist.
- Barbecue cookouts Slow-smoked pork and beef, a weekend tradition.
- Watermelon slices Sweet, cold watermelon at summer gatherings.
Music and arts
- Delta blues Roots of blues music in the Arkansas Delta.
- Gospel music Strong church choir tradition in local communities.
- Quilting Handmade quilts as a folk art and family heirloom.
A little history
- 1800s-1900s Cotton farming dominated the Delta economy.
- 1870 Forrest City founded as a railroad town.
- 1960s Civil rights activism in the Delta.
- 1927 Great Mississippi Flood devastated the region.
Rivalries
- Forrest City vs. Wynne football Annual high school football rivalry.
- Marianna vs. Hughes basketball Local basketball rivalry in Lee County.
- Brinkley vs. Clarendon baseball Friendly baseball competition between towns.
- Game day Friday night football
- Game day Basketball rivalries
- Outdoors Duck hunting on the White River
- Outdoors Fishing in the St. Francis River
- With kids County fair rides and games
- With kids Swimming at community pools
Southern drawl with a relaxed pace; common phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' are used. Local names like 'St. Francis' are pronounced with a soft 'a'.
Only here
- The Delta is one of the last places where cotton is still grown extensively.
- Crowley's Ridge rises unexpectedly above the flat Delta plain.
- Duck hunting is a way of life, not just a sport.
- Small towns like Brinkley and Marianna have a distinct, slower pace.
New here? A few tips
- Get ready for hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- Try fried catfish and Delta tamales at local restaurants.
- Learn to love duck hunting season in the fall.
- Explore Crowley's Ridge for hiking and scenic views.
- Be friendly—locals expect a wave and a 'hello'.
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Part of Memphis area
Nearby
Every areaWynneArkansasWhere the White River winds through rice and cotton fieldsHelenaArkansasWhere the blues live and the river flows.MemphisTennesseeWhere the river sings and the barbecue smokesSearcyArkansasHome to the White River and a thousand steeplesClarksdaleMississippiHome of the blues and the crossroadsJonesboroArkansasWhere the Delta meets the RidgeBatesvilleArkansasWhere the hills meet the river and the welcome is warm.ParagouldArkansasWhere peaches and Southern hospitality grow
Forrest City, AR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.