When most people hear of Five Oaks Duck Lodge, they immediately think “duck hunting,” which is valid considering the lodge has served as a duck hunting lodge for nearly 40 years. For Hillary Dunklin Horner, however, immediately thinks of three words: friendships, reunions and memories.
Hillary grew up across the street from Five Oaks. She celebrated many birthdays, held many sleepovers with her cousins, gave dance recitals with her sister for her parents, baked cakes in the kitchen and staying up late watching movies in the living room. Her family celebrated Thanksgiving around the table in the dining room, watched the ball drop on NYE by the fireplace in the living room and celebrated every Labor Day Weekend with an annual Labor Day Dove Hunt in the sunflower fields behind the lodge. As she got older, they continued celebrating there, hosting Arkansas Razorback Football watch parties, prom dinners and graduation celebrations.
Her all-time favorite memory occurred on July 11th, 2020 when she married her husband Stewart Hornor at Five Oaks. They said “I Do” at the place where they first met.
They had not initially planned the wedding to occur at Five Oaks. However, their original ceremony and reception venues would be closed due to COVID-19. So, they shifted gears, and hosted the whole wedding at Five Oaks.
After she realized how wonderful it was to have her wedding Five Oaks, her family has decided they want to open their doors so that others can celebrate all of life’s events.
"I love celebrations!" Hillary said. "I always have. I love that celebrations remind others that they were created with a purpose, acknowledge the gifts that God has given us and create opportunities for community. I love planning celebrations that are personal to an individual. I love finding out what makes that person, them, and curating the tiniest of details to make the event special. My goal as an event planner is simple, I want each client to feel seen, heard and known throughout the entire process, and when the event is over, my deepest hope is that the client knows that they were created with a purpose and there are so many people who want to celebrate he or she!"
They are focusing on events in four specific areas:
WEDDINGS
Say “I Do” at a place that feels like home! Whether you are looking for the perfect space for a bridal luncheon, a gorgeous ceremony site, a reception venue or lodging for your out-of-town guests, Five Oaks Lodge is ready to graciously host your every need. Stunning vistas and gorgeous structures include two lodges, which are available to ensure that your destination wedding exceeds your wildest dreams.
The outdoor ceremony space overlooks both a stunning pond and fields of wildflowers, all with impeccable stretching lawns throughout the property. A beautifully covered gazebo, stone pathways, two firepits and two patio spaces, one of which is large enough to fit a tent, are all available for use during the wedding festivities.
Imagine cocktail hour by the firepits before your ceremony, followed by a dinner reception and dancing under a decorated tent of the deck. All of this catered by our top-notch, on-site chef who can truly create the palate of your dreams!
Tanarah Luxe Floral did all of the flowers for Hillary's wedding, TLF Event planned the wedding and Five Oaks Events planned all the other parties for the photoshoot.
CORPORATE RETREATS
Plan your next corporate retreat with Five Oaks Events and you’ll find a combination of comfort, stunning natural beauty, leisure activities, haute cuisine and the best resources for business development at your fingertips.
Five Oaks Events offers both indoor and outdoor meeting spaces for small to large gatherings. With two beautifully decorated lodges as well as the ability to add a framed tent to the back deck for extended space, Five Oaks is equipped to serve a variety of event needs.
Their main lodge can sleep 12 guests, and the Family Lodge is able to sleep 8 guests; therefore, they are able to host 20 guests overnight. Both lodges include a separate living room space complete with a Kaleidescape Entertainment System and a personal kitchen space.
Dine with us during your stay and experience incredible meals provided by the Pine Bluff Country Club. In addition to accommodations, enjoy the use of our five-stand skeet shooting range, tennis courts, fishing ponds and educational tours with George Dunklin to learn more about his ongoing conservation efforts.
Our event planners would love to help you create an itemized itinerary to include group activities tailored specifically to your group’s needs, including but not limited to:
-
Tennis
-
Fishing
-
Skeet shooting
-
Horseback riding
-
Environmental conservation tours
-
Cooking classes with our talented on-site Chef
-
Custom crafted dinners
-
Event florals and decorations
-
Event paper goods
-
Transportation needs for excursions to surrounding scheduled activities, as needed
EDUCATION
George Dunklin, Jr., has always been passionate about conservation efforts. His number one goal is to leave the land better than he found it, so that generations to come can enjoy all that the Lord has created.
He is also extremely passionate about teaching future generations how to conserve our natural resources. Most recently, Five Oaks created a new branch, Five Oaks Ag Research and Education Center. Five Oaks Ag Research and Education Center has partnered with the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to create a new graduate certificate program in conservation, property, and land management. This particular program will focus on wetland and waterfowl conservation.
In conjunction with this new and exciting addition, they would love to offer field trips to schools, classes and students in an effort to teach them about the land. They also hope to provide educational camps for both youth and adults.
"SOCIAL SEASON"
While you may know Five Oaks for their “duck season,” they invite you to their social season that runs the rest of the year!
Five Oaks is a place to gather and celebrate the special events in your life!
From birthdays to showers and every anniversary in-between, allow Five Oaks to serve as the venue of your choice! Lodging is available for your next girl’s trip or get-away weekend in one of our two incredible lodges.
All meals are crafted and prepared by their talented chef, who is excited to work with you to create an exquisite meal that’s perfect for each occasion.
Their talented event planners are eager to work with you to ensure that your special event includes all the details that make you, you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Five Oaks Events will host mid-week social events at the lodge. It is their hope that these events provide a bright spot within one’s week and an outlet to catch up, conversate and meet new friends!
Dinner Club:
Looking for a Friday night out with friends? Join them for their dinner club, Friday at Five Oaks! Enjoy a night out with:
-
Twenty people or ten couples for
-
Skeet shooting and drinks on the deck
-
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
-
Specialty hand crafted dinner prepared by our on-site chef
-
Fireside merriment with dessert to follow
After an incredible evening, stay at their luxurious lodge, which has space to accommodate 20 guests, and enjoy a delicious brunch prepared by their Chef the following morning.
Fall Fête at Five Oaks
Date: Saturday, October 30th
Gather with your family for an event you soon won’t forget! Dress in your best costume, and join Five Oaks for an evening of fishing, ranger rides, skeet shooting, fall themed cooking classes, hayrides, an incredible dinner and s’mores by the fire to cap off a great event!
ABOUT FIVE OAKS DUCK LODGE
In 1907, Lester Asher Black acquired farmland in Arkansas County. Some of this farmland resided around what is currently, Five Oaks Duck Lodge. In 1983, the lodge, which is now Five Oaks, was listed for sale. George Dunklin, Jr. quickly jumped on the offer, and Five Oaks Duck Lodge came into existence. Since 1983, Five Oaks has served predominantly as a duck hunting lodge to generations of hunters across the state. For nearly 40 years, clients have visited Humphrey, Arkansas, for a period of time to enjoy a beautiful morning duck hunt followed by an afternoon of skeet shooting, cocktail hour and a gourmet meal prepared by a renowned Chef. There are several groups of hunters who have been coming on the same day (or days) each year for the last nearly 40 years, creating many traditions.
