By: Maddy Dean
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – On Sunday, March 30, the Fayetteville town square held its inaugural “Sundays on the Square” festival. The event was held in collaboration with Experience Fayetteville and the Downtown Fayetteville Coalition.
“It’s just four hours of great music, local vendors, great food, art, and activities for kids,” said Sarah King, vice president of Experience Fayetteville marketing and communications.
“Sundays on the Square” is an experimental event that is a “reinvention of a long-standing festival we’ve had called First Thursdays,” King said.
The change from Thursdays to Sundays came from feedback from local businesses about the timeslot. Merchants are in hopes that the time change will encourage more foot traffic in the square. “It’s like an additional Saturday’s worth of revenue for local businesses,” said King.
The event invites dozens of vendors to set up in the middle of the festivities. Local vendors can apply to set up booths at the experience. Both food and beverage, and non-food and beverage vendors can benefit from the event.
The main purpose of “Sundays on the Square” is to bring more business to local merchants. When people are brought downtown, they are more likely to pop into a shop, or eat in a restaurant.” said King. “Bringing foot traffic to an area that is equipped is a great way to help the local businesses flourish.”
In addition to “Sundays on the Square,” the Fayetteville Farmers Market will continue to be held on Saturdays with additional opportunities for local vendors to set up pop-ups, and local shops and restaurants to experience increased foot traffic.
The next Sunday on the Square will be held on April 27 from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays in the Square will start up again, after a break for summer, on Aug. 24 and Sept. 14, with a possible fifth date in case of weather delay.