Date: 2024-08-30 08:54:20 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Linds and Lace Photography |
Community celebrations, historic structures, and treasured local businesses are just a few of the charms of this east Arkansas town
Preserving heritage and continuing to foster community are at the heart of Main Street Batesville’s mission. As the organization’s local executive director, Maggie Tipton-Smart is a natural cheerleader for everything the city has to offer. Her enthusiasm goes beyond the walls of her office with an eagerness to share the charms of the town of just over 11,000 with anyone who drives near the city limit sign. Since becoming director in 2022, she has continued to uphold the organization’s four pillars of design, organization, promotion, and economic vitality by helping to restore historic structures and creating events and places where the community can come together. We sat down with her to hear more about what’s going on in Batesville.
Q: What do you think makes Batesville so special?
A: For starters, our people in town are just so good. They really make it. But we also have a lot to offer. Rather than just having a few historic buildings, we are a full historic district. We have a walkable downtown with merchants and community offerings. And, we have a ton of events throughout the year. At Main Street Batesville, part of our job is to create an emotional connection with each and every one of our visitors—not only with what they see but what they feel, sense, and experience while they’re here. We want to be a destination for fun.
Q: What are a few of your favorite ways to enjoy downtime in Batesville?
A: I love to go to Maxfield Park. We call it our hidden gem because it’s nestled behind the historic district. There’s a playground, and a full stage surrounded by a wall made of local stone. We have community yoga there on Saturdays, and there are even balconies with tables where you can sit and listen to music. At Riverside Park, we also have the Levitt AMP Batesville Music Series ten times a year. All of these concerts are free, and we’ve had everything from blues and country to Indie pop acts. The Citizen’s Bank Pocket Park is also a favorite hangout. I like to go to the Farmers Market that runs from May through October, and they also have stages for live music during the market and for other events.
Q: Are there any upcoming events this fall we should put on our calendar?
A: We are a huge Halloween town! Come fall, there is something going on almost every weekend. We host different events like the Nightmare on Main Street, a Halloween parade, and even a Monster Mash dance. On the actual night of Halloween, people drive from all around to trick-or-treat here. It’s not unusual for us to have 5,000 trick-or-treaters. Our commercial district is on the same street as many of our historic homes, so they team up to make it really amazing. The houses have themes and go all out with decorations, costumes, and candy. It’s a really safe and fun way to celebrate.
Q: We have also heard Christmas is celebrated in a big way in Batesville. What does that look like?
A: Yes! Batesville is the Christmas capital of Arkansas. Our Riverside Park [which is located along the banks of the White River] is insane, and we have the largest light trail in Arkansas. We see anywhere from 70,000 to 75,000 cars drive through each year to see them. People end up in Riverside Park and then in our downtown district where we have activities going all throughout the season. One of my favorites is the Wassail Walk. All of the merchants make their favorite wassail or hot spiced tea recipe; customers come in and try it while they shop and then they get to vote for the one they like best. The winner receives a grant prize that they can in turn put back into their business. The competition is a lot of fun, and it also gives back to the businesses that support our community.
Read on for more of our favorite ways to discover Batesville.
Home, Holidays, and More
Citizens Bank Pocket Park offers bag toss boards for play.
Fill your planters with finds from Earth Station Nursery.
Downtown Batesville has numerous time-honored structures.
Make plans to attend an event at Maxfield Park.
Enjoy house-made cocktails at Tavolo Italian Ristorante.
SHOP
For décor and gifts, Home, Holidays, and More (facebook.com/homefortheholidaysbatesville) is a must-visit when in Batesville. Located in the charming downtown district on East Main Street, you’ll be greeted with the sights and smells of a welcoming home décor store when you enter. Whether you’re browsing for new pillows to refresh your sofa, need a candle for a hostess gift, or are considering a larger home update, the team is ready to help. Next door, you’ll find Earth Station Nursery (870.793.2555) where the flora spills onto the sidewalks. The open-air, plant-lover’s paradise has everything you need to add fall color to your garden with seasonal plantings or to plan a bigger project for next spring. Continue down Main Street to Autry’s White River Furniture & Decor (autrysfurniture.com), which has been offering quality furniture and unbeatable customer service since 1988. Shop their large selection of living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture as well as and art. As a third-generation furniture store, they value building relationships and enjoy seeing their customers return through the years.
DINE
Get your day started at MorningSide Coffee House (morningsidecoffeehouse.com) where you can enjoy more than a hot tea or latte. From quiche and scones to parfaits, pastries, and other confections, there’s no shortage of options at this cozy spot that offers indoor and outdoor seating. Batesville is a destination for mouthwatering Italian food. For lunch or casual nights, Bruno’s Pizzeria (870.569.5275) is a favorite hangout with a menu that pleases all ages. Start with pizzeria staples like wings or a chopped salad before ordering up your favorite red-sauce or white-sauce pizza. With options like The Farmer pizza that features butternut squash, spinach, and goat cheese to The Pit Master that is loaded with grilled chicken and barbecue sauce, there’s something for every palate. Their sister restaurant, Tavolo Italian Ristorante (tavoloisthebest.com) offers a date-night-worthy atmosphere with plenty of flavorful fare. Choose from house specialities like the Lamb Bolognese and Mussels al Limone, or try a chef-prepared filet and a range of traditional pastas. To enjoy White River views while you dine, head to The River Waterfront Steak & Grill (facebook.com/bestdamsteakhouse). In addition to a range of steaks, you’ll find favorites like crab cakes, stuffed portobello mushrooms, catfish, and pastas on the menu. Stop in at lunch to try one of their daily specials. If you have a sweet tooth, satisfy your craving at The Butterstick Bakery & Bistro (facebook.com/thebutterstickbatesville). Giant cinnamon rolls, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and a huge selection of cupcake flavors are just a few of the daily offerings. This bakery also offers exquisite artisan cakes for all occasions.
VISIT
Founded in 1872, Lyon College (lyon.edu) is one of the state’s oldest institutions. The small liberal arts college not only offers degrees in 20 disciplines but also invites the community on campus for fine and performing arts events and festivals throughout the year. This fall they will play host to AmigoFest on Saturday, October 5 and the 44th annual Arkansas Scottish Festival on October 18-20. Make plans to attend and marvel at their historic architecture while you’re there. Want to learn more about Batesville and Independence County’s history? Visit the Old Independence Regional Museum (oirm.org) to see the historical exhibits that span centuries. Plan ahead to attend a cooking, quilting, or gardening class with a local, knowledgeable pro. Touted as “the heartbeat of Main Street Batesville,” the Art Deco-style facade of the Melba Theater (melbatheater.com) is a familiar and welcoming sight for both locals and visitors. The restored movie house offers daily showings of current features along with plenty of popcorn and snacks to enjoy while you watch.
Home, Holidays, and More
