PRAIRIE GROVE -- Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is the host venue for the annual Clothesline Fair and all 11 full-time and part-time employees go to work preparing for the event and then remain on site helping out throughout the Labor Day weekend.
"It's the one time of year that the public can 'shop the park,'" said Holly Houser, historical interpreter.
The 63rd Clothesline Fair opens at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with arts and crafts. It concludes Monday night with the finals of the square dance competition.
"We want to make it as pleasant as possible for the public," Houser said. "The park staff is waiting for anything to happen, good or bad. There is a lot of customer service and taking care of people over the weekend."
Three organizations are involved in the Clothesline Fair and it takes all three to make it happen, said Jessee Cox, state park superintendent.
Prairie Grove Lions Club contracts with the State Park to sponsor the Clothesline Fair but has an agreement with the Arts Center of the Ozarks to run the arts and crafts show.
Houser said park employees prepare the grounds for the fair, are responsible for maintenance, and make sure all vendors have power stations ready to go for the weekend. Restroom facilities are given "TLC," or tender loving care, so the buildings will be ready for thousands of visitors.
Staff members clear out buildings, such as the Latta Barn, so that groups and vendors can move in with their food supplies and be ready to serve the public. She said the park coordinates with food vendors to make sure they have what they need.
The day before the event, she said, they will put out signs to help visitors know where to go.
"And Friday, they [craft vendors] all descend upon us," she added.
Houser said for her personally, the Clothesline Fair provides the opportunity see the "whole western Washington County" in three days.
"It's a long standing tradition," Houser said. "Those traditions are strong and incorporate the past and the present."
Cox said a cumulative 30,000 people attended the 2013 Clothesline Fair, a record for the past 10-15 years. Prior to that the record was probably more than 50,000 people set in 1992. Attendance is based on cars parked for the event. Another record was set last year for the final night of square dancing. About 8,000 people came to see the square dance competition Labor Day evening.
The weather forecast is calling for cooler temperatures and Cox said he hopes the Clothesline Fair will have another record year of attendance.
General News on 08/27/2014