GRAVETTE -- Gravette area residents enjoyed several activities during Third Thursday on Main events April 21. This was the first of the Third Thursday celebrations of the 2022 season. Activities are sponsored by the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce and downtown merchants to draw visitors to Gravette Main Street and promote local businesses.
Several Main Street businesses stayed open later than usual and vendors set up booths on the sidewalk to offer products and services. Marisa Crain opened her Gravette Nutrition building, and representatives of several businesses set up booths in her shop. On the sidewalk out front, one person even offered a couple of cute puppies seeking a new home, and a face painter decorated the faces of youngsters visiting her booth.
The Gravette Public Library offered guests an opportunity to sign up for drawings for free books. Three drawings were open, with books available for youngsters, teens and adults. Members of the Old Town String Band set up in front of the Chamber office and provided musical entertainment for passersby.
Mount Olive Farms offered sweet-smelling homemade soaps, essential oils and plants for the home garden. The Jowers family served customers inside at Lagniappe, their newly opened Cajun restaurant, and several diners were heard to comment favorably on their tasty fare.
At the west end of Main Street, David Henzie, owner of Henzie's Art Studio, his daughter Daenylle and friends decorated the sidewalk with chalk art drawings for visitors to admire.
Mild spring weather, with afternoon temperatures nearing 80 degrees, brought out several visitors and the first 2022 Third Thursday event was judged to be a success. Chamber organizers invite area citizens to attend next month's Third Thursday events on May 19 and issued a reminder to Chamber members to attend Chamber After Hours from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Bank of Gravette.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Members of the Old Town String Band sit in front of Chamber of Commerce headquarters on Main Street and play music to entertain guests during Third Thursday on Main events April 21 in Gravette. Pictured are band members Al Blair, Linda Damron, Jeff Davis and Randy Cannon.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
David Henzie, owner of Henzie's Art Studio, creates a chalk painting on the sidewalk in front of his shop during Third Thursday on Main events April 21 in Gravette. Henzie's daughter Daenylle pauses to enjoy a snack in the background but was soon back at work on some artwork of her own.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Daenylle Henzie (left) pauses to enjoy a snack as she and her friend Madelynne Massman work on a chalk painting of a cat during Third Thursday on Main events April 21 in Gravette. Daenylle and Madelynne joined Daenylle's father, David Henzie, in creating artwork on the sidewalk during the evening's activities.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Brothers Bowien Thompson, 9, and Noah Thompson, 8, show off their decorated faces after visiting the face painter during Third Thursday on Main events April 21 in Gravette. Bowien wore a football on his cheek and Noah's face was painted to look like a cat.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Avon sales representative Marisa Atteberry displays some of the wide variety of Avon products available at her booth during Third Thursday on Main events April 21 in Gravette. Marisa was one of several vendors who set up booths at Gravette Nutrition. Pictured in the background is Gravette Nutrition owner Marisa Crain.