31 Aug 2022 53rd Annual Hot Springs Arts & Crafts Fair slated for Oct. 7-9

Posted at 2:03 PMh in News by

By Stefanie Brazile

Readers looking to purchase handmade items should look no further than Hot Springs on Oct. 7, 8, or 9 to a popular arts and crafts fair featuring unique items. There is no cost to park or to attend the fair at the Garland County Fairgrounds, 4831 Malvern Road, Hot Springs. The event will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Hot Springs painter Alison Parsons will sell art again this year at the event.

The 53rd Annual Hot Springs Arts & Crafts Fair, hosted by the Garland County Extension Homemakers Council, comprises 11 clubs from the county. The public event will feature more than 200 vendors from 10 states. There are a limited number of vendor spaces still available and the application can be found at hotspringsartsandcraftsfair.com or by calling 501.520.1333.

“We are a nonprofit organization, and we do this to promote craftsmen and their homemade wares to serve our community and the surrounding areas,” said Jane Oliver, chair of the Arts & Crafts Committee.

In addition to a variety of oil paintings, quilts, soaps, candles and other one-of-a-kind finds, the Homemakers allowed booths from artisans with wooden bowls, cutting boards and utensils, windchimes and walking sticks. There will also be homemade foods like peanut brittle, honey, soup and dip mixes.

“Many people attend because they look forward to the homemade food that the Extension Homemakers Council sells from our kitchen,” Oliver said. They will offer ham and bean dinners, doughnut holes, hamburgers and hot dogs in an area where patrons can sit at tables. Additionally, 11 food trucks will be on the fairgrounds.

The fair offers a petting zoo, jump houses, and other activities for children. As a free service, there will be strollers and wheelchairs that shoppers can borrow. In addition, the Homemakers Council will offer golf cart transportation to and from the parking lot throughout the three-day event.

An ATM is on-site. Vendors accept cash and checks and some also accept credit cards. The building offers large public restrooms cleaned several times daily during the event.

“It is exciting to see our clean, empty building begin filling with excited vendors on Thursday in preparation for Friday’s opening,” Oliver said. “Our craftsmen will decorate each booth in a fall theme, and people will be lined up outside before the doors open at 9 a.m. on Friday.”

The Hot Springs Arts & Crafts Fair has welcomed guests since 1968, missing only one year due to the recent pandemic. Founded by 11 women who wanted to sell some crafts, Homemakers Council members take pride in connecting makers with consumers who appreciate the time and effort it takes to create one-of-a-kind items. Oliver said the committees hope to see familiar faces and meet new shoppers this year.