August 8, 2025 - Eureka Springs Longhair Invasion
A Fundraiser for The Eureka Springs Historical Museum
History of 1973 Eureka Springs
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the town of Eureka Springs experienced a renaissance of sorts. Three major developments spurred a sudden growth in tourism and relocations to the area - the building of nearby dams at Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake which brought a surge in recreational interest, the erection of the Christ of the Ozarks statue and Great Passion Play and its associated bus tourism, and the influx of hippies, artists, musicians, writers, and other free-thinkers seeking a chance to get "back to the land". That last group was particularly inspired to settle in Eureka Springs in 1973, when a one-off music festival called the Ozark Mountain Folk Fair attracted some 30,000 attendees to a rustic amphitheater carved out of the Ozark wilderness eight miles north of Eureka Springs.
Attracted to the natural beauty and slower pace of Eureka Springs, these meandering misfits found kindred spirits among the hill folks, sharing an interest in a simpler, self-sufficient existence. They also experienced resistance from local business leaders and aggressive "rednecks". Fearing changes in the overall character and economy of their hometown, some natives considered the arrival of the hippies to be an "invasion" that must be stopped. In time, however, most of the town's population learned that the newcomers shouldn't be judged simply by the length of their hair. While some were certainly transient in nature, many of the "longhairs" settled down, got jobs, invested heavily in the restoration of decaying Victorian buildings, and became prominent members of the local arts and business factions of the town.
E-Ticket Process: No physical tickets will be mailed. E-Tickets are available for purchase online and at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum located at 95 S. Main Street in Downtown Eureka Springs. Simply show up at the event with your ID and purchase receipt.
Questions?
The Longhair Invasion is a fundraiser with 100% of proceeds going towards the operational costs of the non-profit Eureka Springs Historical Museum. Please feel free to call us at 479-253-9417 with questions!
