PRAIRIE GROVE -- An early rain cooled off temperatures and washed away dust just in time for the start of the 63rd Clothesline Fair.
Local residents lined the streets Aug. 30 to watch the annual Clothesline Parade kick off the busy weekend. Along with many candidates campaigning for office, the parade included antique and classic cars, fire trucks, farm tractors, off-road vehicles and lots of square dancers throwing out candy and waving to family and friends along the parade route.
Attendance was slow during the first few hours but as temperatures continued to rise throughout the day, more and more people showed up to shop the many arts and crafts booths, enjoy fair food and learn about Civil War history.
Park officials estimate that more than 37,000 people visited the Clothesline Fair over the weekend, according to Holly Houser, historical interpreter for the park. Based on parking, Houser said almost 17,000 people came Saturday, 5,100 on Sunday and more than 15,000 on Monday.
She said attendance for the Fair was about the same as past years. Attendance to watch square dancing, however, continues to grow, Houser added. More than 70 square dance groups participated in the Clothesline Fair this year, including both exhibition and competition groups.
About 7,000 people watched competitive square dancing Saturday night and a record 8,500 people showed up to watch the finals Labor Day night.
"We set a record last year and then set a new record this year," Houser said. "It shows an increase of interest in square dancing."
Dixie Dynamite won first place and bragging rights for the next year in square dancing. Bucks & Bows was second. Guns and Hons received third place and two groups tied for honorable mention, Cowboys and Curls and Arkansas Aces.
The groups were judged by square dancers from Northeast Oklahoma Square Dance Association.
One judge, George Dorris, said selecting a first place winner was not easy.
"They were all so doggone close," Dorris said after the competition. "Their outfits were gorgeous and you could tell they've worked hard."
Only nine points separated first place from honorable mention, according to the final tally sheet. Dixie Dynamite scored 554 points and the two honorable mention groups earned 545 points each.
Eve Smith, director of visual arts with Arts Center of the Ozarks, said 127 vendors set up for the weekend.
"From what I am hearing, the vendors say they are having a good day," Smith said the first day of the Fair.
Fair goers perusing the many booths were enjoying the event.
"It seems like a family out here," said Denise Richards of Rogers.
Linda Cullers, also of Rogers, has shown at the Clothesline Fair before but was shopping Aug. 30.
"I love it," Cullers said. "It's very well organized and convenient to the vendors."
David Leedham with The Spoonworks booth out of Mountain Home, said he likes the Clothesline Fair because it is held at a state park and is interesting because of the battlefield.
Frank Wiggins with Kravitz Keys and More was showing at the Clothesline Fair for the first time. His son lives in Prairie Grove and he thought he would try it this year.
"I think it's a pretty good size," said Wiggins of Cherokee Village. He uses material from old barns, old barn roofing and old ceiling tile to make bird feeders and other wood items.
Susan Strong of Bella Vista said she came to the Fair this year to find a favorite vendor to purchase aluminum earrings.
The Clothesline Fair is sponsored by Prairie Grove Lions Club, in cooperation with the Arts Center and State Park.
The Lions Club uses proceeds from its concession stand at the Latta Barn to pay for vision examinations and eye glasses for area students, college scholarship for a Prairie Grove senior, donations to Make a Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity and to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 94.
General News on 09/10/2014