Officially arriving Thursday, March 20, spring is quietly beginning to unfold across Bradley County and the surrounding region. Local residents are noticing the first subtle signs of warmer weather, from buds appearing on dogwood trees to jonquils blooming along roadside ditches.
The first official day of spring, known as the spring equinox, signals longer days and often unpredictable weather for South Arkansans. While residents eagerly anticipate warm afternoons spent fishing at Moro Bay State Park or attending Lumberjack and Hermit baseball games, the season also comes with reminders of storm preparedness. Local emergency management officials encourage residents to refresh their severe weather plans as tornado season approaches.
Springtime traditions, both practical and social, are ramping up throughout the area. Farmers have begun early planting. Families look forward to community events such as the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival on the distant horizon. Outdoor recreation, from fishing at Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge to youth baseball tournaments, is starting to gain momentum.
For now, spring’s arrival means simple pleasures for many South Arkansans—like sitting on front porches to watch sunsets, taking evening walks, and enjoying the first cookouts of the season. As one local Bradley Countian put it, “It’s good to feel the sunshine again.”
