What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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38 WHAT'S UP! APRIL 3-9, 2022 Handmade Attractions Vintage Market Days opens doors for designs APRIL WALLACE NWA Democrat-Gazette E ach year before Vintage Market Days officially opens, Chandra Gower says she drinks lots of coffee, and her husband and Farmhouse Beginnings business partner Greg Gower builds items until the very last minute. "We don't have tons in stock," she says of Farmhouse Beginnings. Husband Greg builds barn doors in his spare time, and she paints and distresses them. They make custom signs, too. "Everything we make is shown all in (this) one event." This year's Vintage Market Days, titled "Vintage Soul," will feature 130 vendors, the most it's had yet, and will take place April 8-10 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Megan Allen, co-owner of the Northwest Arkansas event, says this year features a lot of new vendors, plenty of activities for the whole family — face painting and pony rides for children and live music for all — and one brand new offering: a workshop given by Junk to Jewels on Friday to build your own hat. She's expecting 10,000 people to attend over the three days. "I love the whole experience, the whole weekend," Allen says, agreeing that there's probably something there for each person in your family, from baby to grandparents. "The vendors restock each day, so you can find things for your home, or gifts. You can bring the kids … there's food trucks for your husband, or you can simply sit and watch the live music." Among the vendors are lots of locals, Allen says, but plenty from out of town too. Perspective Design and Antiques out of New Mexico, featured in Country Living Magazine, is probably the one from the furthest away. A number of vendors now travel from one Vintage Market Days event to another. There's 75 locations around the country, and Allen says they've found a bit of community in doing multiple events. For Chandra Gower, Vintage Market Days NWA was the inspiration for her business. "This all started because I was a Vintage Market fan," Gower says. "I was an early Friday morning shopper, and just amazed by all the stuff shown." When her family added on to their house six years ago, she wanted a barn door, but the steep prices made her investigate what it might take to make her own. Husband Greg built one and encouraged her to finish it. "I'm not a crafty person, Megan Allen, co-owner of the Northwest Arkansas event, says this year features a lot of new vendors, plenty of activities for the whole family — face painting and pony rides for children and live music for all. (Courtesy Photo) BENTONVILLE FAQ Vintage Market Days WHEN — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 8-9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 10 WHERE — Benton County Fairgrounds, 7640 S.W. Regional Airport Blvd. in Bentonville COST — $10 good for all three days; children 12 and younger free INFO — vintagemarket- days.com/market/ nw-arkansas/ FYI — In the event of bad weather, enter- tainment will be moved inside, and a tent will be set up for shoppers to eat under.