GRAVETTE -- The weather cooperated beautifully for Gravette's September 21 Third Thursday celebration.
Although weather forecasts had worried some who felt the forecast of rain might discourage vendors and visitors from attending, the rain ended shortly after noon, and streets had dried nicely by the time the event began at 4 p.m. Several folks from around the area came out to participate in the activities sponsored by the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce.
Two blocks of Main Street were close to traffic, and vendor booths were set up on both sides of the street. There was lots of activity and plenty of booths to interest visitors of all ages.
A giant inflatable set up by the Chamber attracted the youngsters with its pirate ship theme, and Alaina Carlton was on hand to paint designs on the faces of any who were interested. Alaina stays busy as each new season arrives, painting appropriate designs on the windows of downtown businesses. She has recently added new fall decorations.
Steven Robinson of Bethel Repair Company provided free snow cones for thirsty visitors, and Dez and Aaron Whitten at the Hometown Venue again offered refreshing lemon smoothies. The Whittens also sponsored a hula hoop contest, with competition in several age groups. They offered paper leis to all contestants and awarded medals to the winning contestants.
The Gravette Public Library extended its open hours and hosted BJ Tassin, a Bella Vista author who held a book signing for her first novel, "Bona-Fide," available in regular type, as well as large print, ebook, and audiobook editions.
Musical entertainment was provided by members of the Chasing Parked Cars band and the Old Town String Band. Each group would play a few tunes and then allow the other band to perform a few. Members of the OTSB were also selling raffle tickets for a handmade quilt and banjo for a drawing held Saturday at a Lions Club block party.
Melissa Provence, director of the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, was on hand with several Senior Activity Center patrons, selling fresh-baked cinnamon rolls from the Center kitchen. This is one of several fundraisers the Senior Activity Center has been conducting to help raise funds for a new van.
Other vendors offered a wide variety of products. There was a Mary Kay consultant selling cosmetics and beauty aids, and several booths offered earrings, charm bracelets and other jewelry. One could purchase T-shirts to wear to fall football games, potted mums to decorate one's front porch, Halloween decorations, and a wide variety of gift items for family and friends.
Don Zook, "The Nut Man," was selling all sorts of nuts for tasty, healthy snacks and even had a few rabbits to sell. Some would be ideal for 4-H projects, he said. One young man was circulating among the crowd, taking orders for sausage, bacon and other Blue and Gold products for an FFA project.
The Hammer and Stain studio was open with workshops available for fall craft projects, and several other downtown businesses stayed open late, including Little Black Boutique, Total Bliss, Henzie's Art Studio, Gravette Nutrition and Lili's Bubble Waffles. Many were offering special sales.
The next Third Thursday celebration will be held Thursday, Oct. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Alaina Carlton paints a basketball design on the face of young Urijah Carson, 10, of Gravette, during the city's Third Thursday celebration Sept. 21. Several youngsters enjoyed having Carlton create designs on their faces. She also has been busy in recent weeks painting seasonal fall decorations on the windows of several Gravette businesses. Her husband was entertaining folks nearby with his band.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Rose Bailey (seated), a Mary Kay consultant from Bella Vista, visits with BJ Tassin (left) during Gravette's Third Thursday celebration. Tassin is an author who was holding a book signing of her novel, Bona-Fide, at the Gravette Public Library. Bailey is offering a holiday special of mint bliss lotion and a pair of fuzzy socks for $15 between now and December 1. Three or more can be purchased for $12 each.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Melissa Provence, director of the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, sits at her booth on Main Street as she visits with Center patrons LaVonda Augustine, Sheryl Laughard and Mavis Killeen during Gravette's Third Thursday celebration. Laughard is an employee at the Center. Provence was selling cinnamon rolls as part of a fundraising drive to help fund a new van and giving out free hand sanitizer.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Several youngsters pause for a photo while enjoying play on a big pirate ship inflatable during Gravette's Third Thursday celebration. The inflatable, sponsored by the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce, was a hit with young ones attending the event. Several also used the services of Alaina Carlton, a face painter who was on hand to create designs on their cheeks.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Guitarist Mike Larson, of Sulphur Springs; Kahlief Steele, of Bella Vista, on the box drum; and guitarist Sean Carlton, of Gravette, perform on Main Street during Gravette's Third Thursday celebration. The musicians are members of the band Chasing Parked Cars and alternated performances with the Old Town String Band, which was also providing musical entertainment during the evening.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Braeden Baker, 14, and his sister Kenzie Baker, 11, of Gravette, enjoy a refreshing lemon slushie after competing in the hula hoop competition at Gravette's Third Thursday celebration. All contestants received a paper lei and Braeden is wearing one of the medals given to contest winners. The event was sponsored by Dez and Aaron Whitten from the Hometown Venue.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Several youngsters show their skills with a hoop during the hula hoop competition on Main Street at Gravette's Third Thursday celebration Sept. 21. The contest, for various age groups, was sponsored by Dez and Aaron Whitten from the Hometown Venue and medals were given for hula hoop champions. The Whittens were also serving free lemon slushies and selling Gravette Day T-shirts.