Blanche Hanks Elliott

War Eagle Mills Farm, a historic homestead along the War Eagle River in Northwest Arkansas, plays host to the events of the War Eagle Fair™. Rimmed by wooded hills, the exhibit area is on the level valley floor, while parking is on the rolling meadows. Their are plenty of open areas for visitors to enjoy while eating or reveling in the fresh, clean, open air of the Ozarks.

Not only are admission and parking free, but many other services and conveniences are provided. All you have to do is come and enjoy the people, the Ozarks setting and the marvelous arts and crafts. A well trained parking crew helps you in and out, a first aid station is in the center of everything, there are permanent restrooms and plenty of porta-potties, even a free package checking service. Food, snacks, and beverages are convenient and reasonably priced. Hamburgers, drinks and other good food eaten along the flowing river makes lasting memories. A free Fairbook listing all exhibitors is available, and there are two information booths. No dogs are allowed on the grounds, in the tents or buildings except trained Medical Assist dogs.

For all the charm of its setting and tradition, people are the greatest asset of the War Eagle Fair. Exhibitors undergo strict screening for entry, then must abide by carefully enforced rules and standards. What they sell are products of their own skill and creativity.

Weavers, woodworkers, carvers, basketmakers, artisans in stained glass, pewter, leather and scores of other arts and crafts, including oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, sculpture, metalworking, and photography.

A second essential group of people are the customers who come from all over the U.S. Those who come back year after year number in the thousands, and frequently they have formed close friendships and associations with exhibitors. Add in the staff, the volunteers and the warmth and hospitality of the people of Northwest Arkansas and the entire Ozarks region, and you can see why this is very much a "people" fair.

The War Eagle Fair began in 1954 to showcase arts and crafts. The Board of Directors of the nonprofit association paid scrupulous attention to quality, went out of their way to revive traditional crafts and art forms in danger of extinction, offered visitors free admission and free parking. And all of those traditions continue, while attendance has increased to an estimated 180,000 or more people each year and annual sales of arts and crafts exceed $1 million.

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