What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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ArtRageous parade is that anything goes," McDonough says. "Everyone is welcome — floats, classic cars, performers, musicians, walkers in crazy costumes, and anyone who is inspired by the ArtRageous spirit. This parade is so beloved in Eureka that we have had a great deal of help and support! [And] ESSA has always loved participating." A grassroots effort that dates back to the beginning of the May festival, the parade, McDonough says, was passed from hand to hand, and "it wasn't always clear who was going to carry this beloved tradition forward. [So] ESSA decided to step up and take over the organizing role permanently." The parade, scheduled for 2 p.m. May 7, is part of a mix of old favorite events — particularly the White Street Walk, which will return May 20 — and brand new events like Just So Ozarks, which "focuses on interactive arts projects for kids," according to Sandy Martin, chairwoman of the Eureka Springs Arts Council and co-producer of the festival with the City Advertising and Promotion Commission. The month will also feature art walks; the Bridge of Love, an interactive Mother's Day tribute; the Sipping on Words Poetry event presented by the Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow; the Plein Air Festival sponsored by Statton Gallery; and lots of music, including a May 7 concert by the Little River Band at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium. "The ArtRageous Parade is a hit with all ages and has been a destination magnet for many families – so we're really glad that's back," Martin enthuses. "My favorite part is seeing our visitors' interaction with our local artists and the expression on their faces during the parade." Martin says when the Eureka Springs Festival of the Arts started 35 years ago "it was the official kick-off of the tourist season. But since we have become a year- round tourist destination, it has become a tradition celebrating the town's culture and history [as] the first authentic arts village in the state." It's especially gratifying, she says, to be able to show off what Eureka Springs did to keep the spirit of the festival alive during the pandemic, including an interactive app for touring the springs of Eureka and the Enchanted Fairy Doors project. "The Fairy Doors started as part of our public art projects during covid," she explains. "The intent was to give folks a fun experience and to get them walking through town. It caught on like wildfire with other artists wanting to do more and visitors adding to the existing ones. We started out in 2021 with 36 doors and now have over 110! There are also two new public art installations continuing our work to build the Harmon Park Art Trail." McDonough says the best reason to support the festival — and the ArtRageous parade — is simple: It's "a chance to celebrate the uniqueness of our community and show visitors from the region and beyond the creative spirit that makes Eureka Springs so special. And after two years of a global pandemic, the return of the ArtRageous parade is a celebration of our hope in the future and a chance to come together!" MAY 1-7, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 37 FYI May Fest Events Art Walks — Every Saturday, 5-8 p.m. Bridge of Love — A Mother's Day living art installation, May 5-8, underneath the Main Street Air Bridge (Basin Bath House Bridge). ArtRageous Parade — 2 p.m. May 7, downtown Eureka Springs. Little River Band — 7:30 p.m. May 7, Eureka Springs City Auditorium. Tickets $45 & up at the aud.org. Eureka Springs Plein Air Festival — With more than 60 artists from across the country coming together for four days of intense plein air paint- ing, May 10-14, around Eureka Springs. White Street Walk — Visit artists' studios and meet makers from 4 to 10 p.m. May 20 along White Street. Dogwood Corner's Art Extrava- ganza — Featur- ing literary, culinary, visual and musical arts, May 21-22 at 3 Dogwood Ridge. Just So Ozarks Festival — Two days of music, workshops and performing arts for the family, May 28-29 around Eureka Springs. Find out more at just soozarks.org. Harmon Park Art Trail Festival — May 29 at Harmon Park. Visit eurekasprings festivalofthearts. org for more infor- mation. FEATURE May Fest Continued From Page 9 Shut down by covid concerts for two years, the ArtRageous Parade returns May 7 as part of the Eureka Springs Festival of the Arts. "Everyone is welcome — floats, classic cars, performers, musicians, walkers in crazy costumes, and anyone who is inspired by the ArtRageous spirit," says Kelly McDonough of the ArtRageous Parade. (File Photos)