7AR %AGLE &AIR FEATURES ONE OF A KIND ITEMS IN A NATURAL SETTING

The War Eagle Fair was founded in 1954 by Blanche Elliot, a former home demonstration and extension agent who was inspired after a week-long weaving seminar to find a way for local artists and crafters to display their creations. Blanche’s home and farm in the War Eagle River Valley served as the backdrop for the event, in the fall, when the foliage of the Ozarks would be at its most colorful peak. The first fair was held in the living rooms of a few local women along with the Elliot home.

Now one of the nation’s oldest and most well-respected craft fairs, the spirit of the original fair remains intact more than 60 years later. Blanche’s great-granddaughter, Cole Seal, now the Social Media Director for the War Eagle Fair, takes safeguarding of the legacy seriously.

“My great-grandmother’s vision to provide a space for artists and crafters to display their handcrafted wares is very important to us,” she points out. “We work hard to maintain that vision and legacy.”

Although artists and crafters may now come from beyond the Ozarks, the strict “only handmade” requirement remains.

“The War Eagle Fair is one of the largest events in the country that allows only handmade items to be displayed and sold, and we are very proud and protective of that reputation,” Cole says.

The exhibitors have new and exciting creations every year, including fabric arts, leather craft, ceramics, baskets, quilts, jewelry, folk art and much more. With more than 250 booths in a beautiful setting near the banks of the War Eagle River, visitors can easily spend the day browsing for one-of-a-kind items.

The event is free and parking is $5. Average attendance over the four days is expected to be 125,000, with Thursday and Saturday being the busiest days. For directions and more information, visit wareaglefair.com