Batesville’s first annual Autumn Antique and Crafts Festival, set for October 22 through 24, is attracting participation from both area businesses and vendors from around and beyond the state. The festival is being spearheaded by Main Street Batesville, in partnership with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Bob Pest Marketing/Communications/Public Relations. The event will take place in historic downtown Batesville and at other antique and crafts shops in Independence County. Fourteen businesses in and near the Main Street business district have committed to participating to date, as well as four businesses in the county. In addition twelve vendors have committed. Vendor space is available downtown outdoors at the Pocket Park Outdoors spaces, 10×10, are $10/day or $25/all three days. Indoor vendor space is available in the Olde Towne Antique Mall lower level for $20/day and $50 for all three days. It is located at 407 E. Main. Spaces are accessible through a back loading door; vendors can drive close to the door. Space will be allotted on a “first come, first served” basis. Contact Paula Grimes, at 870-793-4632 or downtownbatesville@sbcglobal.net.
Participating businesses include the Olde Towne Mall, Deidra’s Secret Garden, My Myra, Old World Lanterns by Benoit, Dee’s Salon, Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery, Back in Time, Judith Lee’s, Rainbow Mini-Mall, Fresh Start Resale Shop, Signature Baskets and Gifts, Isabella’s Attic, and two new additions to the downtown antique district, Abby’s Shabby Chic and Judy Ann’s Cottage , both in the 100 block of W. Main. Also participating are The Treasure Shop and Front Porch Antiques in Newark and Arkansas Antiques and Cozy Cottage 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 by September 10 in order to be included in print materials.
The festival will include special events days and evenings. Courtesy of Citizens bank, Aunt Minnie and the gang from Cash’s White River Hoedown in Mountain View will be featured in the Pocket park on Thursday, and Citizens will also provide with free hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch. Organizers are currently considering several acts for Friday evening at Simply Southern. The festivities conclude with a banquet and auction at Elizabeth’s Restaurant on Saturday evening, hosted by Main Street Batesville. Antique/craft related activities, such as appraisals, demonstrations, or informational programs will also be scheduled during the day at various venues around town, including the Citizens Bank Community Room. A complete schedule of events will be available in early September. Festival organizers are 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 First Community Bank, Citizens 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.
