Every October thousands make their way out to the War Eagle Valley to check out the sights and sounds of the War Eagle Craft Shows: Sharp’s Show, the War Eagle Fair, and the War Eagle Mill Crafts Fair. On both the north and south sides of the War Eagle Bridge visitors found a wide array of food, crafts and collectibles.
Hundreds of exhibitors came to Northwest Arkansas from all over the country to show off and sell their work in one of the three of the largest craft fairs in the region.
This year, it's estimated that 500 exhibitors took part in the War Eagle Craft Shows.
The Sharp's Show, founded by Bill and Lucy Sharp, is a Northwest Arkansas tradition standing almost four decades strong.
"I think it's great. We are trying to do something to help the exhibitors and that was the whole purpose of the thing when it started, to give them a market and help them out and then it helps out the whole economy around us," Sharp said.
Sharp said one of his most unique exhibitors is Gary Carter with Primitive Influence Glass Studio out of Fayetteville.
Carter and his wife use the glass-blowing technique to create colorful, elaborate pieces of art and jewelry.
"I take molten glass in a furnace, gather it up on a rod, blow it and shape it and make vases and paperweights," Carter said.
The War Eagle Mill Crafts Fair, on the north side of the bridge, featured 34 vendors, all showcasing handcrafted crafts, an assortment of food and live entertainment.
"We have original soaps made out of essential oils, we have people who are doing artwork on wonderfully strange things, painters and all kinds of other exhibitors. We also have a pretty wide variety of food," said Sandy Wright with the War Eagle Mill.
On the south side of the War Eagle Bridge was the 59th annual War Eagle Fair.
This year 250 crafters and artisans brought their handmade products in for that show.
All three War Eagle Craft Fairs wrapped up Sunday afternoon but will return in May.