BANKS, Ark. – 11-9-25 – The community of Banks was bustling over the weekend as visitors gathered for the 2025 Buck Fever Festival — an annual celebration marking the opening of modern gun season in Arkansas. The festival blended small-town charm with family-friendly entertainment, food, and live music, drawing crowds from across the region.
Rows of vendor tents and food trucks lined the grassy lot downtown, offering everything from handmade crafts to funnel cakes, corn dogs, and nachos. Festivalgoers browsed local goods, enjoyed fair food, and took in the upbeat atmosphere beneath bright blue skies.
Families and children found plenty to enjoy with activities such as face painting, a cake walk, and an inflatable slide. The smell of fresh festival snacks filled the air as kids laughed and played nearby.
Live music was a highlight of the day, with local musicians performing on stage beside the Buck Fever Festival banner, providing a mix of country and acoustic tunes for attendees relaxing under the tents.
The event also featured contests, including the Chili Cookoff, Cornhole Tournament, and youth hunting competitions, with hundreds of dollars in prizes awarded.
Another major attraction of the weekend was the 2025 Buck Fever Talent Show, which showcased some of the area’s most gifted young performers. Winners included:
- Brooklyn Sexton – 5–9 Year Old Variety
- Chandler Maloney – 5–9 Year Old Vocal
- Emarie Davis – 15–18 Year Old Vocal
- Dallas Cathey – 11–18 Year Old Instrumental and Overall Talent Winner
Also recognized during the festivities were this year’s Buck Fever Parade Royalty:
- 2025 Buck Fever Parade Princess – Addison Spearman
- 2025 Buck Fever Parade Queen – Addison Pope
The 2025 Buck Fever Antler Idol competition drew strong local talent, with the following winners announced:
- Judges’ Choice: Gwendolyn White
- People’s Choice: Bryan Jenkins
Both winners received $500 each for their outstanding performances.
In addition, the pageant competitions recognized outstanding young women and children from across the region.
Miss Buck Fever (High School–21 Years Old):
- Winner: Alexis Thomas
- 1st Place: Courtlyn Harrison
- 2nd Place: Laken Osgood
- People’s Choice: Emily Grace Castillo
Teen Miss (16–18 Years Old):
- Winner: Kaileigh McElroy
- 1st Place: Jacelyn Nelson
- 2nd Place: Taylor Castillo
- People’s Choice: Jacelyn Nelson
Jr. Miss (13–15 Years Old):
- Winner: Channa Tatum
- 1st Place: Lauren Williams
- 2nd Place: Hatley Kulbeth
- People’s Choice: Isabella Adams
Young Miss (11–12 Years Old):
- Winner: Arabella Wood
- 1st Place: Laikyn Cantrell
- 2nd Place: Faith Ann Davis
- People’s Choice: Avalyn Jolee Baptiste
Petite Miss (8–10 Years Old):
- Winner: Evelyn Claire
- 1st Place: Riley Chestnut
- 2nd Place: Josilyn Ash
- People’s Choice: Evelyn Claire
Little Miss (5–7 Years Old):
- Winner: Ava Jackson
- 1st Place: Brooklyn Baskins
- 2nd Place: Kenzlee Gardner
- People’s Choice: Ava Jackson
Tiny Miss (2–4 Years Old):
- Winner: Scarlett Sparks
- 1st Place: Ellie Jayde Mann
- 2nd Place: Oneida Castaneda
Tiny Mr. (2–4 Years Old):
- Winner: Lincoln Colt Rhodes
- 1st Place: Grayson Ross
- 2nd Place: Zelle Hampton
Toddler Miss (13–23 Months):
- Winner: Hollyn Robertson
- 1st Place: Natalie Reppond
- 2nd Place: Kylie Rae Knowles
Toddler Mr. (13–23 Months):
- Winner: Avery Ray Carter
- 1st Place: Hudson Lee Davis
- 2nd Place: Adrian Wood Roque
Baby Girl (0–12 Months):
- Winner: Charlee Jo Moring
- 1st Place: Meredith Kate Jolley
- 2nd Place: Rayleigh Boykin
Baby Boy (0–12 Months):
- Winner: Beckett Lane Davis
- 1st Place: Kyssac Sellars
- 2nd Place: Amir Davis
The festival also included the 2025 Buck Fever Dog Show, which drew plenty of smiles from animal lovers in attendance. Winners were:
- Louie (Frenchie) – Best Overall
- Sailor (Tea Cup Yorkie) – Best Dressed
- Ace (Mini Poodle) – Cutest
- Ella (Catahoula/Black Mouth Cur) – Best Trick
Additionally, People’s Choice Awards were presented on Friday, November 7, recognizing some of the youngest participants:
- Baby Girl (0–12 Months): Charlee Jo Moring
- Baby Boy (0–12 Months): Amir Davis
- Toddler Miss (13–23 Months): Kylie Rae Knowles
- Toddler Mr. (13–23 Months): Hudson Lee Davis
- Tiny Miss (2–4 Years): Ellie Jayde Mann
- Tiny Mr. (2–4 Years): Grayson Ross
Organizers extended their gratitude to the many businesses, individuals, and organizations who helped make the 39th Annual Buck Fever Festival possible. A special thanks was given to SEACBEC of Warren High School for helping build and set up the stage for this year’s event.
Among the Friends of the Festival sponsors were:
Hermitage Produce, Shelter Insurance Greg Harton, Mad Butcher, TilCo Construction, Angela Marshall Insurance, Snap & Chop, Marsh & George Clinic, Warren Bank, Bradley County Industrial Development Corporation, Tanya Gardner, Merchants & Planters, Warren Motor Supply, Bradley County Medical Center, Tri-County Title Company, Michael Burns, Weyerhaeuser, C&L Electric, Two Rivers, Michael Gardner’s Body Shop, Snap-On Stuart Jacks, Commercial Bank, Union Bank, Ouachita Electric Cooperative, James Russell, Crazy K’s Inc, Campaign to Elect Ronnie Via for Bradley County Judge, Prime Time Riders, Tomato Patch, DJB Trucking LLC, Farm Bureau Reid McKinney, Warren High School Art Department, Bumper to Bumper, Frazier’s Funeral Home (Frazer, INC), J & H Tire LLC, Rauls Plumbing LLC, Blueboys, Granny’s Grill, Sexton Firm, Robert Milton CPA, Nancy’s Florist, Heritage Poultry LLC, Corker Electric LLC, S & S Tire Service, Hugh Funderburg, J Big Logging LLC, Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union, Simple Simmons, Pizza Hutt, Johnny’s Radiator and More, Keeton Hudson, Snow Mountain Shaved Ice, Sheriff Herschel Tillman, Judy Vickers, Kim Forrest, South Arkansas Telephone, Esco Pest Control, Mitchell’s Lumber, Kuntry Farms (Phillip Lasiter), Taylor Danley Trucking, The Mane Event, Mr. Bug, K2 Farms (Phillip and Keith Lasiter), The Mane Event, State Farm Joey Cathey, Potlatch Deltic Corporation, Log-N-Stix, LLC, Timber Logistics, Michelle Weaver, M.D., Ryburn Automotive, Lumberjack Yamaha, Inc., Timberland Investments, R.A. Richardson Forestry, Inc., Scott & Karen Richardson, LR Appraisals (Lydia Reynolds), Tyler Adams Logging, LLC, and Super Value.
As the afternoon went on, residents and visitors alike enjoyed the festive setting that has long made Buck Fever a cherished fall event in Banks.
