Rain, Cold Impact Craft Fair

Karen Runestrand of Bella Vista, left, and Minnesota residents Mary K. Weik, center and Pat Lee look at scarves.
Karen Runestrand of Bella Vista, left, and Minnesota residents Mary K. Weik, center and Pat Lee look at scarves.

BENTONVILLE — The last two snowy, rainy and cold days haven’t been good ones for the Spanker Creek Farm Arts and Crafts Fair, according to Patti Hyde, the fair’s promoter.

“It’s one thing to be cold, but then you add rain and on top of that snow,” Hyde said. “People have not had spring yet and their minds are still on January with the weather.”

Hyde said she’s used to dealing with rain and cold weather during the fall and spring shows.

“It’s the worst show, even out of the October shows, as far as when you are talking about the customer count,” Hyde said.

Hyde said some dedicated people did bundle up and venture to the location off Benton County 40.

Hyde said her parking attendants noticed cars from Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, so out of state customers have still been coming. Hyde believes the weather really impacted people coming out.

“It’s just the wet and cold weather together,” Hyde said.

Hyde said she is pleased the vendors didn’t give up and leave.

One vendor, Deborrah Burnett of Mountain View, said she sent photographs of the snow to friends at home. “They were amazed at the snow,” Burnett said.

Burnett makes Scottish lye soap and describes her skill as a living history instead of a craft.

The rainy weather prevented her from demonstrating how to make the soap, which she’s been doing for more than 50 years.

“We can’t cuss the rain or snow because we don’t want to cuss the flowers,” Burnett said. “You can’t have the flowers without the rain and snow.”

Debbie Anderson of Gamaliel and Ceil Gasiecki of Gassville came to Saturday’s show together. They both were shocked by the snowy weather.

“The weather is lousy,” Gasiecki said. “I feel sorry for the vendors.”

Sally Olson, a vendor who sells refurbished furniture and picture frames, also said the weather had impacted the turnout the last two days.

“It was really slow Friday,” Olson, said. “It’s been slow this morning, but hopefully it will get better this afternoon.”

Hyde also hoped the weather changes today to give people an opportunity to come out on a nice spring day.

The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Hyde said.

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