Ears A'Flappin'

A community festival gearing up for its second year this weekend will donate all its proceeds to children's charities.

Bella Vista Hay Days will be today and Saturday near the intersection of Arkansas 279 and Rogers Drive in Bella Vista. The free festival features children's games, food, live music, a car and bike show, antique tractors, the "Wiener Takes All" Arkansas State Championship Dachshund Races and a 5K walk, says Kitty Casanova, Bella Vista Hay Days committee member. Last year, $12,000 was given to local charities, she says. About 5,000 people attended last year, and she believes the attendance will increase this year.

The mission of the festival is "to improve the lives of our children," Casanova says. The Children's Advocacy Center is one of the recipients of the funds raised, along with Cooper Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, who will have volunteers working the festival. Different church groups also will be volunteering to raise money for their youth groups, she adds.

The dachshund races benefit the Bella Vista Animal Shelter, and she says people from all over come to to watch.

"It's a riot. It's so much fun," she says.

Bella Vista previously had little events throughout the year, such as Bella Vista Safety Day, the dachshund races and car shows, Casanova says. Having events throughout the year "really pulls on your volunteer pool."

"We just decided to get it all in one place in two days and just make a festival out of it because Bella Vista didn't have anything like that," Casanova says.

More kids attended last year's festival than anticipated, so this year, the committee has expanded the children's games, she says. New activities include pony rides, a Junior Gearheads Spark Plug Challenge, casting competitions hosted by the Bella Vista Fly Tyers and a traveling aquarium. Prior to the festival, local woodcarvers will carve wooden knives, and children can then use these to carve soap during Hay Days, she says.

Another new event this year is the 5K Walk for Charities, which will benefit Cooper Elementary PTO, the children's section of the Bella Vista Library and the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.

Casanova says she hopes those attending the festival will feel good about giving money to charity and also just "come out and have a good time."