Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 6, 2025

Long-Running Mountain Bike Festival Returns to Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Ozark Foundation, with support from the Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission, announces the return of the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival - a three-day family-friendly mountain bike festival, to be held September 26-28, 2025.

First hosted in 1999 and through 2019, the long-running Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival had grown into the largest annual mountain bike festival in Arkansas before production was paused amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Traditionally hosted in summer, the festival included several mountain bike competitions, group rides, and social gatherings that event organizers plan to revive including Short Track and Downhill competitions, and the fan favorite Big Town Ride – a robust tour of the eclectic mountain bike trail system woven throughout Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

While these staples remain, recent development in “gravity” trails across Eureka Springs has created the opportunity for event organizers to reestablish the festival in conjunction with the Arkansas Enduro Series and the annual Eureka Enduro held each fall. Enduro mountain bike racing merges cross-country and downhill mountain biking into a unique time trial format that continues to grow in popularity across the country – attracting professional athletes and adventurous amateurs alike.

“Eureka Springs has a rich history of mountain biking in Arkansas, one that dates back several decades.” said Brannon Pack, Senior Director of Operations for Ozark Foundation. “The Ozark Foundation is excited to revive a piece of that history by bringing back the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival, while updating the weekend with competition that favors today’s athlete – like the Eureka Enduro.”

Pack continued “Additionally, Ozark Foundation is utilizing the Fat Tire Festival weekend to formally launch the Arkansas Downhill Series, a new competitive downhill mountain bike series that will leverage the investments being made in downhill trail networks across Arkansas – like Eureka Springs.”

The Fat Tire Festival will be based out of Lake Leatherwood City Park, a 1,610-acre outdoor recreation destination that is home to over 25 miles of singletrack trail including the Lake Leatherwood Gravity Project and Arkansas’ largest downhill mountain bike park. Lodging at Lake Leatherwood includes cabins, camping, and RV sites available to rent – but a larger economic impact is expected for the Eureka Springs community.

“Mountain bike tourism continues to grow across Arkansas, and Eureka Springs’ world-class trail development positions our community to host mountain bike events worth traveling in for – like the Fat Tire Festival.” said Mike Maloney, Executive Director of the Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission. “The Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission recognizes the positive impact mountain biking can have on our community, so much so that we recently identified mountain biking as one of four pillars in our annual advertising strategy. We know mountain bike tourists seek out the same after-the-ride activities popular with our own community. They want to eat and stay local and there is no shortage of options in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.”

Registration for the 2025 Fat Tire Festival including the Eureka Enduro opens Saturday, June 1, 2025. Visit www.arkansasenduroseries.com for more information.

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About Ozark Foundation

Ozark Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that creates healthy and enriching outdoor recreational experiences in Arkansas that honor and celebrate the natural beauty of the Ozarks and elevate the region as a better place to live, work and play. To fulfill its mission, Ozark Foundation partners with organizations to host, create and operate a variety of outdoor recreational events in Arkansas. From world-class championship caliber races to fun outdoor family events, the foundation aims to position Arkansas as a premier outdoor recreation destination where all are welcome regardless of ability. More at www.ozarkfoundation.org.

About Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission

The Eureka Springs CAPC's mission is to contribute to the economic growth of the area by developing and promoting Eureka Springs as a destination for leisure travel, meetings, conventions, and events while enhancing our visitors' experiences. Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion is funded by the residents of, and visitors to, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Since 1971 a small tax on all prepared food, beverages and lodging has assisted in infrastructural support and promotion of our richly historic and beautiful town. We welcome to Eureka Springs so many from all walks of life where each individual is free to be themselves, explore, get away and reset from everyday life demands. Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a place where all are just "Free To Be".