Always on the last Saturday in July
GRAPE FESTIVAL HISTORY
Early Grape Festivals were held up until the late 1920's in Altus but eventually the effects of prohibition brought it to an end. Then, in 1984, when 12,000 acres in the Altus area received the Federal designation as an official viticulture area, the Altus Grape Festival was revived as an annual celebration to honor and show appreciation for the Achievements of our past and present grape growers.
The fest takes place in the ALTUS CITY PARK with related activities in and around Altus.
Each Year something new is added to the festival activities. This years new events are just beginning to be planned, but the traditional favorites such as the CELEBRITY AND PUBLIC GRAPE STOMPS, other grape related games, FREE WINE TASTING, and LIVE MUSIC are carried on from year to year.
The amateur wine making contest draws entries from all over Arkansas as well as other states. Other highlights of the festival are the JURIED ARTS and CRAFT BOOTHS, and numerous choice food vendors.
Some of the events that you really do not want to miss are: The Friday night All Ages Street Dance; Saturday morning Breakfast in the Park; The Blessing of the Harvest; The Vine Cutting Ceremony; A chance to win a Romantic Wine Country Get-a-way; Tours of our Local Wineries; and the good fortune to meet the best grape growers and wine makers anywhere around.
The friendly folks of Altus will help make this a memorable and most pleasurable experience for those attending this ADMISSION FREE event.