The ninth annual “Great Cotter Trout Festival” is scheduled for June 18 & 19, 2010, at Big Spring Park in Cotter, Arkansas. Over the years, the festival has grown into a major regional event on the banks of the beautiful White River attracting trout fishermen and nature lovers alike. The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce is the sponsor of the festival with major support by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. 
     This event had most humble beginnings, as the brainchild of a small group of community minded people trying to help Cotter (pop 900).  The Feb 2002 edition of the “Trout Capital News,” Cotter’s community newsletter, reported that the fledgling Cotter Chamber of Commerce had begun planning for a new spring event dubbed the “Cotter Trout Festival.” The event would take place on Saturday, April 20, 2002, and highlight fishing and boating on the White River. Preliminary plans were ambitious and included a boat show, fishing instructions, fly tying, boat rides, food and family entertainment.
     Additional planning added the name “Great” Cotter Trout Festival “for pizzazz” and a mix of exhibitors agreed to be there.  The highlight of the event was to be an evening fish fry dubbed as a “White River shore lunch fish fry.” River guides would prepare catfish and fixins  in iron skillets exactly as done for their clients on the river bank.
     Local media was generous and, for the first time in many years, hundreds of visitors came to Cotter. It was a trout fisherman’s dream. The Mid-South Fly Fishers and North Arkansas Fly Fishers provided fly casting demonstrations and instruction. The Rod and Reel Fishing Club conducted a “Kid’s Fishing Hole” for kids 15 and under. River boat makers brought their latest models and about a dozen arts and craft vendors rounded out the day.
     The award winning high school band and chorus entertained before the fish fry and brought out the moms and dads and a real sense of community. The fish fry provided unforeseen drama for those cooking the fish. It seems that “White River Shore Lunch” resonated with the public. Before serving began, about twice the number of patrons that had been expected had already lined up looking forward to this rare treat. The only restaurant in town opened up its stores,  as did the nearest locker plant, and restocked catfish three times and saved the evening.
     Over the years the Great Cotter Trout Festival has grown to a hundred exhibitors and several thousand visitors over two days. For more information about previous Trout Festivals go to www.troutcapitalnews.com/archive.htm. For information about the upcoming Ninth annual Trout Festival refer to www.cotterarkansas.com.