There’s nothing better than a fall day in the Natural State of Arkansas. The changing leaves on the mountains and the crispness in the air sets the scene for a perfect autumn day spent at the 41st annual War Eagle Mill Craft Fair. Hundreds of vendors from all across the United States set up their booths for this yearly four day event in Rogers, Arkansas. This year’s fair will be held from Thursday, October 16th through Sunday, October 19th.
Just 30 minutes from Eureka Springs, is the War Eagle Mill. The Mill is set on the banks of the War Eagle River and was built in 1832 by Sylvanus and Catherine Blackburn. The War Eagle Mill is a working, water powered grist mill with an 18 foot cypress water wheel.
Every October, the War Eagle Mill is the place to be for one of the most popular arts and crafts festivals in the South. The War Eagle Mill Craft Fair is actually three shows in one. The Sharp Show is held on the fields next to the Mill with over 250 booths offering handmade crafts, seasonal items and holiday themed items. The Eagle Mill vendors are on the parking lot of the Mill with lots of original handmade art including watercolors, oil paintings, folk art, pottery, wreaths and dried arrangements. There are also homemade quilts, soaps and candles. The War Eagle Fair Show is held across the bridge from the Mill. Exhibitors for the event undergo a strict screening process with applications juried in May and vendors notified in June.
Breakfast is served each morning, bright and early at the Bean Palace Restaurant on the third floor of the Mill. Visitors can come to the restaurant at 6:30am for War Mill biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage or bacon. The lunch special is War Eagle beans and cornbread made with cornmeal from the first floor of the mill. The cornmeal is made on site on a 150 year old stone buhr and made with organic and Non-GMO cornmeal. Concessions are also on the grounds selling snack items like curly fries and strudels to full meals like beef wellington, barbeque ribs and corn dogs. Dessert items like strawberry crepes, fudge, peanut brittle and fresh squeezed lemonade are also available for purchase.
Booths are open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm and then 4:30pm on Sundays. In addition to craft booths, there is live music to enjoy and cooking demonstrations with samples to taste. Parking is $3.00 per car.
When making travel arrangements to visit the craft fair, be sure to check out a stay at Eureka Springs B&B Arsenic and Old Lace. This cozy bed and breakfast can be found in the hills of the Ozark Mountains just two blocks from the Eureka Springs Historic District, and is a perfect alternative to the hotels near the War Eagle Craft Fair. There are five guest rooms offering views of the gardens and hills. A gourmet breakfast is served each day beginning with breads and fruits and followed by a sweet or savory main course. Reservations and room availability can be checked by clicking here. The fall season could not be a more beautiful time to reserve a room, check in and start relaxing.
Photo courtesy of Doug Wertman