Art, Antiques and Architecture -  A Cotter Open House
August 2000

Location:  Historic Cotter, Arkansas
Dates:  September 1 & 2, 2000
Hours of Operation: 10 AM - 9 PM

The Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to present a celebration of Cotter, Arkansas, its colorful history and bright future. Come walk our streets and experience the charm and beauty first seen by countless settlers to this area as they stepped from the Iron Mountain Railroad almost a century ago. Enjoy the beautiful and unique buildings remaining from our heyday as a railroad boom town of a bygone era. Several of these will be featured and offer limitless business opportunity.

Major attractions will be plentiful. Throughout the event artists, artisans and craftsmen will offer their creative wares for sale to the public along Second Street and other parts of the downtown area. There will be other booths at various locations to include refreshments. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission mobile aquarium will be on display in front of City Hall at 115 McLean. A variety of boats will be displayed in the 100 block of McLean, near City Hall. Motorcycles will be displayed in the 400 block of Second Street.

A variety of specific attractions will be offered both days. Presentations will be made to the public in the council chambers in City Hall. Each will be approximately one hour in length, and at press time the schedule includes:

• Mr. Bill Woodiel will present "The Cherokee Trail of Tears Through Cotter" at 10 AM on Friday (Sept 1) and 2 PM Saturday (Sept 2).
  
• At 11 AM Friday (Sept 1) Mr. Ken Story, Preservation Outreach Coordinator, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Department of Arkansas Heritage, will present "The Process for Creating and Listing a National Register Historic District."
  
• The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will present "The White River and Its History" at 1 PM Friday (Sept 1) and Saturday (Sept 2). They will also present their views on the current and growing issue "White River Minimum Flows," at
  2 PM on Friday.
  
• Recently proclaimed "Baxter County Historian" Mary Ann Messick will present "The History of Cotter" at 3 PM both Friday and Saturday.
  
• Entertainment will include an old time gospel concert Friday (Sept 1) at 7 PM by local favorites "The Spokesmen," on Friday evening outdoors in the downtown area. The public should bring lawn chairs. Other musical entertainment will be announced in the near future. No admission will be charged.
  
• The famous "Pig-In-A-Poke" barbeque by the Cotter Care Crew will highlight Saturday activities (Sept 2) beginning at 11 AM in the Spring House at Big Spring Park near the river.
  
• The local Civil War re-enactment group "Wiggins Battery" will conduct an encampment on Saturday and display equipment to include cannon.
  
• A helicopter fly-in and static display by the Air Evac Life Team located in Yellville is being scheduled. Ground personnel will be on hand to provide information about this potential life saving service for the community. The arrival time and other attractions will be announced in the near future.

This event is being conducted in conjunction with the 23rd Annual Reunion of Cotter Alumni. For booth reservations and further general information, contact event Chairperson, Sonny Sharp (435-6757 or 492-4483) or Gil Stammer, President, Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce, at 435-2663.