The 2013 Arkansas Rice Expo will be a passport to fun for young people.

This year’s Rice Expo is set for Friday, Aug. 2, at the Grand Prairie Center, 2709 U.S. 165, in Stuttgart. Doors open at 8 a.m.

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“Being family friendly is one of the qualities that sets the Arkansas Rice Expo apart from other field days,” said Chuck Wilson, director of the Rice Research and Extension Center.

This year’s activities include the return of the pedal tractor derby, plus a youth BB shoot and Mack’s Prairie Wings youth archery activity.

“Youths will also receive a passport from Arkansas 4-H to be stamped as they participate in each of the activities,” Wilson said. “When all of the areas are stamped, they will receive a prize. It’s a win all the way around.”

There are hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities, presented by Arkansas 4-H, such as robot building, and rock art.

Other youth-friendly activities include:

Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor is set to be the keynote speaker. Also on the agenda are Janet Carson, Extension horticulture specialist, author and columnist, and Betsy Ward of the USA Rice Federation as the luncheon speaker.

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A fresh, hot catfish lunch, catered by the Yoder Ruritan, begins at 12:15 p.m.

To find out more about the 2013 Arkansas Rice Expo, visit http://aaes.uark.edu/rice.html or follow us on Twitter at @ARicExpo.