Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Ozark Regional Arts & Crafts Festival celebrates 24 years
Vendors and hobbyists alike are gearing up for this weekend’s Ozark Regional Springtime Arts & Crafts Festival, to be held Friday and Saturday inside the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, at 1500 S. 48th St., in Springdale. The show hours will be 9 a.m.-7 p.m. each day. Celebrating its 24th year, this 150-booth booth show will offer a mixed venue of arts, crafts, home/garden/yard décor, vintage, food booths, collectibles and more — and is being held in one of the finest facilities in NW Arkansas.
Craft shoppers can find unique gifts for special holidays and celebrations, such as the upcoming Mothers Day and Fathers Day, a “mom-to-be” nursery boutique and gifts, ladies apparel and accessories, decorating ideas for 4th of July festivities, garden and deck motif, “fun in the sun” apparel, as well as simple, convenient meal ideas. Craft enthusiasts from around the region are encouraged to come shop in the comfortable, climate-controlled atmosphere.
“Crafts shows are always different in what they offer, and this one is focused a lot on gift’s for Mother’s Day,” said promoter Bill Lloyd. “For instance, there will be two different vendors that hand-make handbags for women. They are very unique, and I’m telling you, high quality.”
Along with his wife, Karen, the Lloyds began the craft shows in 1991, bringing in vendors — and customers — from around the state, as well as Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Missouri.
They also host an even larger Fall Craft Fair that takes place in two locations — in Fayetteville, Oct. 19-21, and in Springdale, Oct. 20-21.
The spring show is more of a large regional show, whereas the fall show is more of a national show,” Bill Lloyd said. “In the fall, we will get people from all over the country, from as far away as Minnesota and Wisconsin.”
But Lloyd was quick to point out that this weekend’s show will provide more than enough variety of crafts and craft-makers. Along with the handbags, there will also be lots of fashion apparel and fine jewelry.
“There will be a few that will be doing their craft right there on the spot, and you can watch them do it,” he said.
One of the biggest draw is always the booth of Gary Milligan, a birdhouse maker from Batesville.
“He brings them over on a 16-foot trailer, and he sells the whole trailer load every time he comes,” Lloyd said with a chuckle. “He is known as the ‘Birdhouse Man,’ and if you see his booth, you’ll know why.”
The Lloyds, who own Ozark Regional Promotions in Lowell, are expecting about 5,000 show-goers over the twoday event, and offer free admission and free parking for attendees.
The Lloyds have traveled thousands of miles and visited hundreds of shows over the years, in an effort to find and invite the most talented artisan and craftsman, who sell the most unique, quality “wares.” Their shows have a reputation for being “the best of the best” in beautiful NW Arkansas.
The Convention Center is conveniently located next door to the Holiday Inn in Springdale, and has easy access to and from Interstate 49. The location also offers clean, handicap accessible restrooms, convenient food concessions, and is within blocks of local restaurants.
A portion of the proceeds go to help support Project Zero, a state-wide organization that assists in raising awareness of adoption in Arkansas.
For more information about the Ozark Regional Springtime Arts & Crafts Festival, go online to www.CraftFairsNWA.com or call (479) 756-6954.