Key Takeaways
- Miss Arkansas’ Teen Peyton Bolling won the Miss America’s Teen 2025 pageant, becoming the first Miss Arkansas’ Teen to do so.
- A song by Arkansas native Johnny Cash was featured in a commercial during Super Bowl LIX.
- Magic Springs shut down the Arkansas Twister, a iconic wooden coaster that had been in operation since 1992.
- The Little Rock Zoo announced the name of a baby gorilla, Beni, on The Today Show.
- Kid Rock met with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to discuss the Rock the Country music festival.
- Central Arkansas venues were packed on a busy Saturday in September, with events including a concert by Waka Flocka Flame and a sold-out show by Willi Carlisle.
Introduction to 2025 Entertainment in Arkansas
The year 2025 was a remarkable one for entertainment in Arkansas, with a wide range of events and news stories making headlines and dominating social media feeds. From the world of pageants to music festivals, and from theme parks to zoos, there was no shortage of exciting developments to keep Arkansans engaged and entertained. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most notable entertainment stories from 2025, including the achievements of Miss Arkansas’ Teen, the music of Johnny Cash, and the latest news from Magic Springs and the Little Rock Zoo.
Miss Arkansas’ Teen Wins Big
One of the most exciting stories from 2025 was the victory of Miss Arkansas’ Teen Peyton Bolling in the Miss America’s Teen 2025 pageant. Held in Orlando in January, the pageant saw Bolling take the top prize, becoming the first Miss Arkansas’ Teen to win the competition. This achievement was a significant milestone for Bolling and a source of pride for the state of Arkansas. As the winner of the pageant, Bolling demonstrated her talent, intelligence, and charisma, and her victory was widely celebrated across the state.
Johnny Cash’s Music Featured in Super Bowl Commercial
In February, a familiar voice rang out during the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX, as a commercial for HeGetsUs.com featured a cover of the 1989 Depeche Mode hit "Personal Jesus" by Arkansas native Johnny Cash. The song, which was originally released on Cash’s 2002 album "American IV: The Man Comes Around," was a haunting and powerful rendition that showcased Cash’s unique vocal style. The commercial was a notable moment in the Super Bowl broadcast, and it helped to introduce Cash’s music to a new generation of fans.
Magic Springs Closes Arkansas Twister
In May, Magic Springs announced that it would be shutting down the Arkansas Twister, a iconic wooden coaster that had been in operation since 1992. The coaster, which featured a 92-foot drop and speeds of up to 50 mph, had been a favorite among thrill-seekers and families alike. While the closure of the Arkansas Twister was a sad moment for many, it also marked an opportunity for Magic Springs to introduce new and exciting attractions to its lineup.
Little Rock Zoo Welcomes New Baby Gorilla
In March, the Little Rock Zoo announced the birth of a baby gorilla, the first to be born at the zoo. The baby, which was later named Beni, was a significant addition to the zoo’s primate collection, and its arrival was widely celebrated by zoo officials and visitors alike. The announcement of Beni’s name was made on The Today Show, and it marked a major milestone in the zoo’s efforts to promote conservation and education about gorillas and other endangered species.
Kid Rock Meets with Gov. Sanders
In 2025, Arkansas hosted a number of music festivals, including the Rock the Country tour, which featured artists like Nickelback, Hank Williams Jr., and Travis Tritt. The event was headlined by Kid Rock, who met with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to discuss the festival and its impact on the state. The meeting was a significant moment for the state’s music scene, and it helped to promote Arkansas as a destination for live music and entertainment.
Busy Saturday in Central Arkansas
On the first weekend of September, central Arkansas was buzzing with activity, as a number of events took place across the region. The Arkansas Razorbacks took on the Arkansas State Red Wolves at War Memorial Stadium, while the Arkansas Travelers played to a packed house during their final homestand. Additionally, Vino’s hosted a TAC wrestling event, and Willi Carlisle played a sold-out show at the Whitewater Tavern. The busy Saturday was a testament to the vibrant cultural scene in central Arkansas, and it marked a exciting moment in the state’s entertainment calendar.
Conclusion and Looking Ahead
As 2025 came to a close, Arkansans could look back on a year that was filled with exciting developments in the world of entertainment. From the achievements of Miss Arkansas’ Teen to the music of Johnny Cash, and from the latest news from Magic Springs to the arrival of a new baby gorilla at the Little Rock Zoo, there was no shortage of stories to capture the imagination and inspire the state’s residents. As the new year gets underway, it promises to be just as exciting, with concert announcements by artists like Journey, Styx, and Rod Stewart already on the horizon. To stay up-to-date on all the latest news and events from across the state, be sure to visit our Local Events Page.
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