GRAVETTE -- Several visitors came to downtown Gravette Thursday evening, May 18, when the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce hosted its second Third Thursday event of the 2023 season. Several Gravette merchants stayed open late, and vendors from out of town joined them and set up booths along Main Street. After several days of cloudy, rainy weather, the return of sunshine brought a welcome showcase for the event.
Events began at 4 p.m. Dez and Aaron Whitten, owners of the HomeTown Venue, who held their grand opening just last month, hosted a series of bingo games at their business beginning at about 4:15 and again at 6 p.m. Several persons dropped in to enjoy free bingo games, with free drink tokens as prizes.
Lili's Bubble Waffles was open to serve visitors bubble waffles and ice cream treats, and Gravette Nutrition and Total Bliss extended their open hours for persons who were seeking a refreshing drink or wanted to shop for summer apparel and gifts. Stephen Robinson and son Cody Robinson, owners of Bethel Repair Company, served free snow cones to thirsty visitors.
Becky Eubank of Gravette was among the repeat vendors who returned from the April Third Thursday celebration, and the proprietor of the Nut Truck from Sulphur Springs was back with a wide variety of fresh nuts from California, Texas, and Oklahoma. Young Jaida Kane, 8, of Gravette, was probably the youngest vendor. She was selling her paintings, handmade jewelry, and bouquets of iris from her family's garden.
New vendors included Kimberly Rowe, from the Elk Grove Candle Company at Gentry, who brought a selection of her hand-poured wax melts and candles in a wide variety of fragrances, and Hector Amaya, owner of Kollecta Creations in Rogers, who displayed an extensive selection of laser engraved wood products.
Activities were not limited to Main Street. Friends of the Gravette Public Library members opened their book sale room on Charlotte Street during Third Thursday hours and reported a successful book sale evening. They will also hold a book sale at the June Third Thursday event.
The next Third Thursday celebration will be held Thursday, June 15, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer Young Jaida Kane, age 8, of Gravette, poses in her booth at the Third Thursday event May 18 on Gravette Main Street. Jaida was selling some of her paintings, handmade beaded necklaces and bracelets, and some stalks of iris from her familys flower garden. She was the youngest vendor at this months Third Thursday celebration.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Kimberly Rowe, of Gentry, waves to visitors at her booth during the Third Thursday celebration Thursday, May 18, in Gravette. Kimberly is the owner of Elk Grove Candle Company and was selling a selection of handpoured wax melts and candles in a variety of fragrances. Interested customers can reach her at 402-913-3362.