Fair boasts 50,000-60 ,000 attendees for ’08
Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2008
BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times Terri Williams of Prairie Grove, from right, helps Randy Kinser and Genie Brazeale pack up their embroidered items Monday at the end of the 57 th annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair at the town’s battlefield park. The fair began Saturday and featured numerous artists and craftsmen.
There weren’t as many craft booths this year, but that didn’t stop residents from Northwest Arkansas from taking a local vacation over the weekend to explore the wonders of the 57 th annual Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair.
As the booths were closing down Monday afternoon, Jennifer Pease, director of visual arts at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, the organization that sets up the crafts portion of the fair, said that even though she only saw 135 booths this year peddling homemade arts and crafts, the fair still averaged around 50, 000-60, 000 attendees.
“ It seems to me that more people are traveling locally to find entertainment, ” Pease said.
Even though money is tight around the area, Pease said merchants were reporting record sales to her for the weekend.
Scott Isslieb, owner of Lapidary & Jewelry Arts Studio in Little Rock, was one of those merchants. His booth consists of articulate, handmade jewelry and was surrounded by a few mingling female eyes almost every day.
“ It’s got a hometown feel to it, ” Isslieb said of the fair. “ I get to sell to the same families every year. ”
Isslieb said he believes it’s the trust he’s developed among his regular clientele that gives him record sales during a stagnant economy.
“ I had families here at 8: 30 a. m. Friday so they can be the first to see my new stock, ” he said as he waved at the glass cases of glimmering jewels and stones. “ It’s been my best year, and I didn’t expect it. ”
Pease said Isslieb’s apparent pride in his work also attracts new customers to check out the jewelry he makes and sells.
Pease said she believes another reason attendance was up for the 2008 fair was that people were seeking out lost arts. She said the booths full of hand-made wooden spoons or paintings or 1800 s-style cookware offer one-of-a-kind merchandise, and she thinks people were attracted to those unique things.
“ Things that let people retain individuality, ” Pease said.
Prairie Grove Mayor Sonny Hudson enjoyed some square dancing Sunday afternoon. He said the best thing about the fair is that it’s in Prairie Grove.
“ It’s nice being able to have something like this in your town, ” Hudson said. “ Just having these folks come into Prairie Grove and seeing what we have to offer is great. ”
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