COMMUNITY
Staff Report
Upcoming Festivities Across Northwest Arkansas
As the weather continues to get warmer, add these festivals to next month’s calendar! From art and culture celebrations to fruit festivities, these events reflect the hearts of communities across the region.
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Arkansas Pottery Festival
The Arkansas Pottery Festival, hosted by Community Creative Center, is back for its fifth annual celebration May 1-3. This three-day celebration will return to the center’s location at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios. Watch live pottery demonstrations and lectures by nationally recognized artists Sean O’Connell and Catherine Lemaire Lozier on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy an exhibition and pottery sale from more than 50 potters across Arkansas and surrounding states all weekend long.
Some of the vendors include The Clay Bank, Mecca Pottery Tools, Museum of Native American History and a display of historic pottery from the Arkansas Archeological Survey. And just in time for Mother’s Day, the Flower Pot and Plant Sale Fundraiser returns with a wide selection of handmade planters and locally grown plants. With the purchase of a handmade planter, you get a free plant.
During the weekend, concurrent events outside of the center include the University of Arkansas ceramics student sale and exhibition, Walton Arts Center Illuminations Series exhibition, and a sale and retrospective exhibition of the Larkin Family of Potters from Fox Pass Pottery. All events are free and open to the public through the support of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, Inc. and First Horizon Bank. Festivities run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 1 and 2, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 3. For more information, visit www.communitycreativecenter.org. (Photos courtesy of Community Creative Center)
Cinco de Mayo Festival
The Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas will host its annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 2 from noon to 7 p.m. at Jones Center in Springdale.
The Cinco de Mayo Festival is a free, family-oriented community event, with food, education, culture and health information. Entertainment includes live music and traditional folk-dance performances, where local artists have the opportunity to showcase their diverse talents.
Rich in tradition, this celebration reflects the organization’s motto of “Celebrating Education, Culture and Community.” Proceeds from the festival benefit the HWOA Scholarship Fund. Since its inception in 2000, HWOA has awarded 632 scholarships, with a value ranging from $500 to $5,000 per scholarship; more than 90% of scholarship recipients are first-generation college students. The goal is to increase the number of students obtaining licensing, certification or a degree from any accredited institution beyond high school. The scholarship award presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. during the festival.
HWOA is a nonprofit organization founded in July 1999 by a group of women and is affiliated with UnidosUS. HWOA engages in events that reflect its mission to advance educational opportunities, to celebrate and teach others about diverse cultures, and to be active participants in the community. To learn more about the celebration, visit www.hwoa.org. (Photo courtesy of the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas)
Strawberry Festival
Later in the month, kick off summer at Downtown Fayetteville Coalition’s third annual Strawberry Festival from May 16-17. This free, family-friendly celebration will take place on the downtown square, bringing small-town charm and featuring even more strawberries than last year. This year’s festivities include a special appearance by Muriel Fahrion, creator and illustrator of the Strawberry Shortcake character, along with Strawberry Shortcake herself.
Festivalgoers can cheer on both pie-eating and pie-baking competitions, enjoy talented performers across two stages, twirl under the lights at Saturday night’s street dance, and enjoy the costumed dog parade. With strawberry-inspired treats around every corner and local vendors lining the square along Block Avenue, this sweet celebration has quickly becomeone of Northwest Arkansas’ favorite ways to kick off summer. For more information, visit www.downtownfay.org. (Photos courtesy of Downtown Fayetteville Coalition)
