Summer Reprieve Brings Crowds To Clothesline Fair

PRAIRIE GROVE — Cooler temperatures and lower humidity came into Northwest Arkansas just in time for the 65th Clothesline Fair.

Record crowds enjoyed three days of crafts, food, square dancing and live music nestled among old trees and the historical setting of a Civil War state park.

More than 38,000 people came to the fair last year, despite hot, humid days. The heat index last year was 100 degrees on Saturday and 104 degrees on Sunday and Monday.

Attendance was up this year. Park officials estimate attendance this year at more than 48,000 people, due in large part to the weather and the popularity of square dancing.

“The weather was a big factor in attendance,” said Holly Houser, historical interpreter. “We couldn’t ask for better weather.”

Susan Adkins, the state park’s new superintendent, said she enjoyed her first Clothesline Fair and spent a lot of time on the grounds visiting with people.

“They all seemed to think everything went fine,” Adkins said.

As always, the Clothesline Fair opens with an annual parade sponsored by Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce that starts at Prairie Grove Middle School, travels through downtown and on to the state park.

With the general election only months away, parade-goers this year saw many candidates campaigning for office as they waved from floats, trucks and cars. Traditional farm tractors, antique and classic cars, large trucks and the Prairie Grove band traveled the parade route, as well as trucks and trailers filled with members of all the square dance groups.

Inside the park, vendors filled the grounds as customers browsed from tent to tent.

Ann Morningstar of Fayetteville said the Clothesline Fair is a tradition for her and she is always on the lookout for new vendors and for Christmas gifts.

Tammy Lawson was one of 140 craft vendors at this year’s fair. Her business, Basket Sensations of Bixby, Okla., offers baskets and rocking chairs handmade from reed.

Lawson sets up shop at craft fairs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma and said she finds Arkansas customers to be the friendliest.

“Ya are just down to earth and a very friendly bunch,” Lawson said.

The Clothesline Fair is her best show every year, she added.

Vendor Clay Creations of Elizabethtown, Ky., has been coming to Prairie Grove for more than 30 years and this year’s show was the last one in Prairie Grove because of health reasons, said Sharon Macy, one of three sisters who owns the business. They sell individualized clay Christmas ornaments.

“The people at this show are lots of fun and the money is great,” Macy said.

Eve Smith, who coordinates the craft fair for Arts Center of the Ozarks, said the fair had 140 vendors but 200 booths, since some crafters take up two spaces. That’s about capacity, Smith said.

She had lots of last minute calls from vendors who wanted to come when they saw the weather would be perfect for the weekend.

In the future, she said the Arts Center will accept applications from vendors who make more vintage, repurposed items to sell. However, one restriction will remain the same. The Clothesline Fair will not accept products that are mass produced, she said.

The Clothesline Fair is sponsored by Prairie Grove Lions Club, which is also responsible for food vendors. About 12 vendors, including local non-profit groups and food trucks, served fair patrons this year. Battles said the non-profit groups reported they had better business this year and owners of food trucks were “very pleased” with the fair.

“There was a great response from the town and all attendees,” Battles said. “Obviously the good weather, especially on Saturday, helped with that.”

Lots of volunteers and school groups help throughout the weekend but Battles said he wanted to single out Prairie Grove High FFA Club. Members provided ice to all food vendors and ice and drinks for the Lions Club.

“They work hard from the very beginning to the very end,” Battles said.

This was the first year to bring in food trucks for fair patrons and Battles said he believes that will continue in the future.

“We’re always looking to improve the whole experience and build on our 65 years of tradition,” Battles said.