Longtime residents of the Ozarks might think October means football homecomings, haunted houses and "War Eagle weekend," when the crafters come back to the hills to show and sell their wares.
And all that is true.
But in Springdale, "a celebration of Ozark culture and tradition" also includes the Hispanic and Marshallese immigrants who have helped shape the city in recent decades.
Ozarktober
This year's Ozarktober, set for Oct. 17-19, marks the third fall festival hosted by the Downtown Springdale Alliance, says Jill Dabbs, its executive director, and the event has always been intended to represent the the multicultural makeup of the community.
"We continue to grow our multicultural reach in two realms: our outreach and our programming," Dabbs explains. "We extended our outreach to diverse communities by providing translated marketing material for Ozarktober in Spanish and Marshallese, by disseminating information through public schools, and also taking out ads in Marshallese and Spanish media.
"For our programming, we seek out artists from all backgrounds," she continues, "and were able to book Marshallese artists for Ozarktober and also the upcoming Christmas on the Creek celebration on Nov. 30. Alex Real, a popular and talented Hispanic music artist, will provide the entertainment for the Fall Bonfire [on Oct. 18].
"One way we can address the multiculturalism of both our outreach and our programming is to look for ways to partner with local LatinX and Marshallese organizations, and we are doing that," Dabbs adds. "These are connections we are growing through relationship development. The Hispanic and Marshallese cultures are woven into the fabric of Ozark culture, [and] DSA will continue to celebrate and grow the diversity of Ozarktober in the coming years. We want everyone to feel welcome and included, not simply a seat at the table but also a voice. This level of inclusion takes work and a commitment from everyone."
Dabbs says the festival has evolved since its inception, "but there are a couple of key events we have repeated each season and intend to hold as cornerstones that really represent the intention of Ozarktober -- to celebrate local food, music, breweries and cultural assets of downtown Springdale," she says. "Ozarktober each year has kicked off with a Farm to Train Dinner on the Arkansas Missouri Railroad and concluded with Brews & Tunes, a beer and music event at Magnolia Gardens.
"These are hallmark events for Ozarktober, and at the same time it is our intention that Ozarktober will continue to grow and evolve each year," she says. "The themes of Ozarktober provide a wide umbrella for us to pull in different events that celebrate Ozark culture, so we've played with a couple of ideas.
"Our mission is to build a more vibrant downtown Springdale, and one way we do this is through activation, creating events that add value to our community."
FAQ
Ozarktober
WHEN -- Oct. 17-19
WHERE -- Downtown Springdale
COST -- Varies by event
INFO -- downtownspringdale.org
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FYI
Ozarktober Events
Oct. 17 -- Farm to Train Dinner, 5 p.m., Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. Only one table for four remains at presstime, $800.
Oct. 18 -- Fall Bonfire, 6-9 p.m., Parsons Stadium. Free.
Oct. 19 -- Brews & Tunes, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Magnolia Gardens. Including beer sampling and music by the Ben Miller Band, Arkansauce, Jenna and the Soulshakers, Will Gunselman, Becky Adams Duo & Maria Jibas. $30 in advance; $35 at the door.
Tickets at eventbrite.com.
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Crafts Fairs
Since the War Eagle Fair kicked things off in 1954, autumn has been a homecoming for arts and crafts enthusiasts. This year is no different, with nearly a dozen opportunities find just the right gift or sample the perfect funnel cake.
Spanker Creek Farm
Arts & Crafts Fair
Oct. 16-20
The fair has a unique setting that is on two creeks (Spanker and Little Sugar creeks) with hillside bluffs framing 175 to 200 booths of arts, crafts and gifts with music in the food court and more.
WHEN -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 16-19; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20
WHERE -- 8464 W. McNelly Road in Bentonville
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- 685-5655, spankercreekfarm.com
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Bella Vista Arts
& Crafts Festival
Oct. 17-19
This year, the Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival will host around 200 exhibitors -- all of them showing only handcrafted products, organizers promise -- and local musicians will entertain. The fair staff also offers free rides to and from the parking lot and large item pickup.
WHEN -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 17-19
WHERE -- 1991 Forest Hills Blvd. in Bella Vista
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- 715-3311, bellavistafestival.org
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Ozark Regional
Arts & Crafts Festival II
Oct. 17-19
Now marking 28 years at the Springdale location and six in Fayetteville, the Ozark Regional Arts & Crafts Festivals offer a total of more than 650 booths of arts, crafts, decor, apparel, antiques, vintage and more from across the country.
WHEN -- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 17-19
WHERE -- Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- craftfairsnwa.com
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War Eagle Fair
Oct. 17-20
Founded in 1954, this is the granddaddy of the fall crafts fairs, offering more than 250 booths of handcrafted products displayed by their creators.
WHEN -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 17-19; until 4 p.m. Oct. 20
WHERE -- On the banks of the War Eagle River, 11037 High Sky Inn Road in Hindsville
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- 789-5398, wareaglefair.com
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War Eagle Mill
Craft Fair
Oct. 17-20
With 27 exhibitors -- selected carefully among all the applicants for the quality of their offerings -- food trucks, live music outside and product demos inside, the War Eagle Mill promises there's a good reason it's been a tradition since 1954.
WHEN -- 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 17-19; until 4 p.m. Oct. 20
WHERE -- War Eagle Mill, 11045 War Eagle Road in Rogers
COST -- Parking is on adjacent property not owned by the mill and costs $5-$10
INFO -- 866-492-7324, wareaglemill.com
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Sharp's Show
Of War Eagle
Oct. 17-20
GRAPH
WHEN -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 17-19; until 4 p.m. Oct. 20
WHERE -- 11022 War Eagle Road in Rogers, behind the War Eagle Mill
COST --
INFO -- 789-5683
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Frisco Station Mall
Arts & Crafts Festival
Oct. 17-20
Baskets, woodworkers, potpourris, candles, jewelry, clothing, wreaths, oil and acrylic painting, and lots of other arts and crafts are available. Holiday theme gifts are in abundance, as well as seasonal decorations.
WHEN -- 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 17-19; noon-4 p.m. Oct. 20
WHERE -- Inside the Frisco Station Mall, 100 N. Dixieland Road in Rogers
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- 841-3183
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It's Fall Y'all Craft Fair
Oct. 17-20
Boasting 50 "unique" vendors, the organizers of this event support Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Bentonville, raising money and bringing awareness to a nonprofit which provides beds to children who would otherwise be sleeping on the floor.
WHEN -- 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE -- Benton County Fairgrounds, 7640 SW Regional Airport Blvd. in Bentonville
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- liveloveeventsnwa.com
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Ozark Regional
Arts & Crafts Festival
Oct. 18-19
Now marking 28 years at the Springdale location and six in Fayetteville, the Ozark Regional Arts & Crafts Festivals offer a total of more than 650 booths of arts, crafts, decor, apparel, antiques, vintage and more from across the country.
WHEN -- 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 18 & 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 19
WHERE -- Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, 1500 S. 48th St. in Springdale
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- craftfairsnwa.com
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HeART of Rogers Craft Fair
Oct. 18-19
Now in its fifth year, this event takes place in two historic venues, Haas Hall Academy and First United Methodist Church. and promises some 50 juried artisans and designers. Also scheduled will be demonstrations and other activities as well as tours of the First United Methodist Church stained glass sanctuary windows.
WHEN -- 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE -- 121 W. Poplar St. & 307 W. Elm St. in Rogers
COST -- Free parking; free admission
INFO -- godowntownrogers.com
NAN What's Up on 10/13/2019