Main Street Batesville, in partnership with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Bob Pest Marketing/Communications/Public Relations will hold the first Autumn Antique and Crafts Festival. The event will take place in historic downtown Batesville and at other antique and crafts shops in Independence County. Main Street executive director Paula Grimes sees the event as the logical result of the growth of the downtown antique district. “We have seven distinctive antique and collectible stores downtown alone, with a number of others around the county. Batesville is clearly emerging as an inviting place to visit for everyone from antique lovers and junk store junkies. We’re planning to showcase our local dealers and invite vendors and crafts people from around the state and region to create three full days of activities, shopping, and fun.”
The first annual Autumn Antique and Crafts Festival will take place October 22 to 24. Vendor space is available downtown outdoors at the Pocket Park or indoors at the new Art Shop Co-Op at 301 W. Main. Outdoors spaces, 10×10, are $10/day or $25/all three days; indoor spaces, also 10×10, are available. Space will be allotted on a “first come, first served” basis. Contact Paula Grimes, at 870-793-4632 or downtownbatesville@sbcglobal.net.
Participating businesses in the historic district include Old Towne Mall, Deidra’s Secret Garden, My Myra’s, Old World Lanterns by Benoit, Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery, Back in Time, Judith Lee’s, The Spinning Wheel, and Rainbow Mini-Mall. Also participating are Isabella’s Attic in Batesville, The Treasure Shop in Newark, and Arkansas Antiques in Southside.
Participating businesses are asked to be open from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day of the festival. They will be included in festival print materials and promotion at no cost. Independence County businesses interested in becoming official participants should also contact Paula Grimes.
The festival will include special events each evening, concluding with a banquet and auction at Elizabeth’s Restaurant on Saturday evening, hosted by Main Street Batesville. Some antique/craft related activities, such as appraisals, demonstrations, or informational programs will also be scheduled during the day at various venues around town. A complete schedule of events will be available on September 1. Festival organizers will be urging area restaurants, hotels, and businesses to become involved by offering specials or discounts to visitors and vendors, using their changeable letter signs and electronic billboards to welcome visitors, and placing posters in their windows.
The Autumn Antique and Crafts Festival is sponsored by Citizen’s Bank, First Community Bank, the FutureFuel Chemical Company, and Ozark Gateway Tourist Council. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available; contact Bob Pest at 870-251-1189 or bobpest@wildblue.net.
