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Fall is a beautiful time in the Ozarks. One of my favorite ways to celebrate the season is at the annual War Eagle Fair near Hindsville, Arkansas, in the northwest corner of the state. I’ve gone almost every year with my mom since 2014. What better way to experience autumn than at a historic event with gorgeous scenery and more craft vendors than you can count?
An Ozark Tradition
The War Eagle Fair started in 1954 as a way for artisans and creatives across the Ozarks to display their handmade works. This year’s craft fair will be held Oct. 16-19, 2025, marking 71 years of history and tradition. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, and parking is $5 per vehicle. Handicap parking is available.
The idea for the War Eagle Fair came from Blanche Elliot after an exhibition by the Northwest Arkansas Handweavers Guild. Inspired to showcase traditional arts and crafts, Elliot envisioned a fair where visitors could see the best of what the region had to offer. The first fair drew 2,259 people; in recent years, attendance has grown closer to 200,000.
In 1957, the Ozark Arts and Crafts Fair Association was formed to oversee the event. The nonprofit is run by a board of directors and receives no grants or outside funding; all money raised goes back into operating the fair.
What to Expect
The fair is named after War Eagle Creek and the iconic mill on the grounds, one of the few water-powered mills in the country still in operation. Inside, you can watch the mill at work or grab a bite at the restaurant or gift shop.
If you’re in the mood for more traditional “fair food,” there are plenty of options — both healthy and indulgent. Vendors typically offer turkey legs, corn dogs, pitas, funnel cakes, strawberry crepes and lemonade. My personal go-to is a chicken skewer with noodles and a huckleberry soda.
With more than 300 exhibitors, there’s something for everyone. It’s also one of my favorite places to get a head start on Christmas shopping. Exhibits include clothing, jewelry, furniture, home and outdoor décor, antiques, art, glass, pottery, leather goods, food, candles and soaps.
The fair covers the valley surrounding the original mill. Vendors in the lower booths are not required to sell handmade items, but across the bridge on the upper half of the fair, handmade items are still a requirement. I typically spend four to five hours browsing, so plan at least half a day.
Planning Your Visit
The fairgrounds are off the beaten path, about a 15-minute drive from Hindsville and 35 minutes from Rogers. The secluded location adds to the charm, with beautiful creek and woodland views enhancing the shopping experience.
Many exhibitors accept cards, but some are cash-only; ATMs are available on-site. The fair asks that visitors bring service animals only. Amenities include a free package check stand, a loading area for large items, first aid at the Fair Office and a nursing mothers’ station nearby.
War Eagle Fair Information
Address: 11037 High Sky Inn Road, Hindsville, AR 72738
Phone: (479) 789-5398
Dates: Oct. 16-19, 2025
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
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