Foodie Fest 2023!

from Water's Edge Magazine August 2023

Home Town Heroes Cynthia Herrin

Foodie Fest brought the Heber Springs community together on the court square on a hot, Friday evening. Food trucks selling all sorts of delicious meals and treats were lined along the streets of the courthouse. Downtown stores stayed opened later and the courthouse lawn was filled with vendors and people having a great time. Locals and visitors ate, shopped, and visited with each other, all while listening to music until Foodie Fest came to a close.

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Notes from the Clearing

Joey Thomas

The painted sky was a mirror of her heart. The echoing thunder of the glorious fireworks, were percussion for the Joy she felt. It was the month and day of her birth and she felt patriotism and appreciation for all that she’d been given. Humbled with the knowledge that it was far more than so many. The golden-pink light of the earlier sunset wouldn’t leave her smile. It was a day of celebration, of reverie, and of setting intention to make days like this available to more in the days to come.

Foodie Fest was created to help start creating activity downtown after normal business hours! Our motto is, “Eat local, shop local and live local.” We had locals and out of towners requesting stores to open later, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. But with Foodie Fest, it’s an event that will bring people in from out of town while also gaining a lot of attention from locals. A ton of stores have hopped on the “stay open” train, and with 12 consistent stores opening until 8 pm on Foodie Fest nights, we’ve really helped boost the morale of business owners, customers, and our vendors!

As a new business owner downtown, I’ve learned a lot about how events are pivotal in bringing people in to your store, and downtown as a whole. But, I wouldn’t be able to help host Foodie Fest without Felicia Stone, the owner of the Lofts, she has truly been a blessing to have downtown. Not only to me but, all the business owners. Her positive attitude, and willingness to help in any aspect is why she is the best partner in helping with Foodie Fest!