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By Randy Rice Prairie Grove has become very popular for the numerous antiques and flea markets in the historic downtown and nearby areas. Long before "junking" was popular, the historic main street in Prairie Grove had become the premier location in Northwest Arkansas for antiques and unique shopping experiences. e attraction is so popular, the city introduced Second Saturday Trade Days along with a variety of community events that are boosting the economic impact of this charming rural community. Several fairs throughout the year help to fuel the reputation of Prairie Grove as the place to find a variety of antiques and cras that is unrivaled. Junk at the Mill is held in a remodeled flourmill known as the Washington County Milling Company and was created as an idea to draw more people to the historic building. Junk at the Mill plays host to numerous vendors that provide a selection of rare, one-of-a-kind antique finds. e Junk Ranch is known for drawing in thousands of visitors from all over Northwest Arkansas and neighboring states looking to find great bargains on everything from vintage clothes and furniture to primitive barn objects. ey also have a holiday event called the Holly Jolly Junk Ranch where you can pick up some rare vintage Christmas items as well as handmade cras. e main antiques and cras event of the year is the Annual Clothesline Fair that takes place over the Labor Day weekend. 2020 will mark the 69th year of the popular festival making it one of the oldest arts and cras festivals in Arkansas. e fair is free to the public and has something for everybody. e state park charges a $5 parking fee each day. e Clothesline Fair features cra vendor tents, sponsored by the Arts Center of the Ozarks, that are open all day long from 8:30 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Labor Day. More than 100 cra booths feature artisans selling, displaying, and demonstrating their handmade wares. Food trucks and various drink concessions will be open all day, each day of the event. e delicious selection of food choices include a BBQ tent, funnel cakes, foot-long, hand-dipped corndogs, hamburgers, nachos, roasted corn and kettle corn. Last year debuted the doughnut burger and an ice cream truck. In addition to food and cras, there is square dancing, antique farm equipment displays, Civil War interpretative programs and activities and musical entertainment. Hindman Hall Museum and Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. e museum features interactive exhibits, artifacts, and videos, along with the park gi shop. Park grounds and picnic areas are open daily from 8 a.m. until dark. e state park plans several interpretative programs throughout the weekend. ese include learning how to shoot a Civil War cannon, making an 1860s spinning top, experiencing first hand the life of an infantry soldier in the Civil War and becoming a junior historian. e annual Clothesline Fair Parade starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. e parade, sponsored by Prairie Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, starts at the middle school, goes through downtown and ends at Battlefield State Park. Members of the Rustic Relics Club display a variety of antique tractors and other farming equipment throughout the fair with special demonstrations for visitors. Activities move to the amphitheater for square dancing at 2 p.m. Saturday and again at 2 p.m. Monday. Square dancing goes on the rest of the day, with the competition groups taking the stage aer the amateurs have a go at it. Gospel music is the featured program on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. Several gospel and country/southern gospel groups sing Sunday aernoon. e Prairie Grove Lions Club sponsors the square dancing and coordinates all concessions at the Clothesline Fair. Proceeds are used to help others, especially those with vision needs. Crafts, antiques and 'junking' make Prairie Grove a popular destination 8 – 2020 West Washington County Directory Tommie Frisbie Agency (479) 846-0836 Home • Life • Auto • Business Boat • RV • ATV