A Short History of War Eagle Weekend
War Eagle Weekend has become as synonymous with fall in Northwest Arkansas as changing leaves and football. For many people, annual trips to War Eagle Weekend are a longstanding tradition. Each October, more than a hundred thousand people converge on the War Eagle River Valley to browse tents full to the brim of arts and crafts, nibble on turkey legs and funnel cakes, and catch up with old friends. Many visitors do not realize that they are taking in three separate craft fairs when they visit the War Eagle River Valley. The first craft fair was held in War Eagle, Arkansas, more than sixty years ago in the fall of 1954. It was the brainchild of Blanche Elliott. Blanche wanted to give traditional artists and crafters of the Ozarks Mountain region, including members of a local weaving guild, a place to display and sell their wares. So, in October 1954, she and a few other folks in the War Eagle area opened their living rooms to host the first War Eagle Fair.