Fair starts next week
Posted on Wednesday, September 6, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/39360/
BENTONVILLE — For some, the main attraction at a county fair may be the thrill rides — with their flashing lights, loud music and stomach-turning loops and spins.
For others, it’s the deep-fried delicacies that only come around this time of year. Or the livestock and other agriculture-related displays.
But at the Benton County Fair, the business vendors with their drawings and freebies remain a time-honored favorite.
Amy Bowman, sales director for Mary Kay cosmetics, has been with the company for 13 years and has participated in the fair her entire tenure with the company.
“ Working the fair has been real successful, and that’s why we continue to do it each year, ” Bowman said. “ It puts us in contact with anyone looking for a Mary Kay representative, and it’s a great way to introduce our business to potential customers. ”
The free makeovers and gift-certificate drawings are also popular at the Mary Kay booth. Bowman said 15 consultants work two-hour shifts during the week to help them develop new clients and to keep everyone from getting overheated.
Ideal Mattress Manufacturing Co. in Rogers is the oldest vendor with the Benton County Fair. The company was founded in 1946 by C. G. and Nora Wilson and has participated in the fair every year.
“ We really do good by being there and seeing old friends, ” owner Derkey Wilson said. “ The benefits of being at the fair might not be immediate, but people see our mattresses, see our name. It has a longer-lasting benefit. ”
After his father died in 1960, Derkey Wilson took over the manufacturing end of the business. When his mother died in 1994, he became full owner of the company.
Wilson takes a somewhat different approach to the fair. His company doesn’t offer drawings or giveaways during the week, but he does offer a friendly smile and lets the product speak for itself. He said the staff likes to line the walls of the booth with various mattresses and assembles one of the best mattress sets for the main display.
“ It’s always so nice to see everybody, ” Wilson said, “ even if we only see them once a year at the fair. It really makes it a homey environment and a family-type thing. ”
Ideal Mattress’ streak of consistent fairs may come to an end once the fair moves to its new location on Arkansas Highway 12 next year.
“ I don’t know how the new place will be, and I don’t know how long we will be there, ” Wilson said.
Mike Parsons will bring his woodturning wares to the fair for the first time. Mike’s Bowls features handcrafted bowls and vases made from various hardwoods.
“ I didn’t have anything planned for this month, and some ladies from the Decatur Barbecue said I’d do good, so that’s what I did, ” Parsons said.
Mike’s Bowls will be one of the outdoor vendors. Parsons said he plans on bringing 40 to 50 different pieces.