Spanker Festival puts crafts creekside

Locals and visitors alike drove down Benton County Road 40 to check out the Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Festival last weekend.

Tulsa resident Brenan Atkinson and his dog, Tyson, showed up to check out the festival and spend quality time with family.

“This is a really cool setup over here,” he said. “You may not see things you want to buy, but it’s nice to say ‘hi.’”

It was nice to see a festival, he said, with a more diverse crowd. There was more for all ages alongside the creek, he said, than he typically sees at craft festivals.

And of course, it was a good way to spend time with his mother, Brenda Pittman. Atkinson was saying his goodbyes, he said, before heading out west in search of a change of careers.

Further downstream, Scott Winford was focused as his chainsaw screamed and the block of wood — less a few pounds of what’s now shavings and sawdust — started to take an ursine shape. It fit right in with the bears, fish and other wooden wildlife on display.

Winford said he and his wife, Rhonda Winford, drove up from Greenwood. They’re good partners, he said — he carves the wood and she stains, paints and sells it.

He’s been doing chainsaw art for about 30 years, he said. He picked it up after working for a chainsaw company and watching a performer they hired for promotional events.

“It’s called trial and error,” he said, “messing up a lot of wood on the way.”

He likes this show, he said, and has shown up several years. It gives him a scenic spot to work and enough space that his saws aren’t making conversations impossible at neighboring booths.

“Good show this year, good crowd,” he said.

Further along, Wagoner, Okla., residents Bob and Diane Orman took a quick break to sit on a bench and get their picture taken in front of a display of hay bales and scarecrows.

They’ve been married 47 years, Bob Orman said, and they’ve been coming to Northwest Arkansas for craft fairs the whole time.

They go to every show, Diane Orman said, starting at the southern end of the area and heading north toward Bella Vista.

“This is the best one,” she said.

And it’s improved over the years, she said, drawing more vendors with more stuff and providing more shade.

It’s always a good time, she said, to come back each year and see new stuff, as well as familiar faces.

“It’s just like family,” she said.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Chainsaw carver Scott Winford carves a hunk of wood into a bear during the Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Festival.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Brenan Atkinson, left, takes a break from the Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Festival and watches his boxer, Tyson, check out Spanker Creek. Brenda Pittman, Atkinson’s mother, sits further down the creek’s bank.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Bella Vista resident Marti Hudson, left, explains her custom-engraved golf markers to prospective customer Tina Bauerin.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista A wooden horse, carved by Alan Sherman, was on display at the Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Festival.