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The streets of downtown Cotter came alive this past weekend as residents and visitors celebrated the launch of the city’s new entertainment district. For the first time in over a century, people enjoyed alcoholic beverages outdoors in the city’s downtown square, marking a big milestone as the small tourist town continues to navigate a growing fishing and tourism industry.
The Cotter Bridge Market and the Arkanzen bar hosted Saturday’s block party and bonfire, featuring live music from Jim Massey and local musician Jacob Kasinger. The event coincided with the Odyssey Art Walk, which showcased various artists including Jenna Wellein, known for her Hawaiian-inspired artwork.
This celebration marked the implementation of the Cotter River District, established by a city council ordinance passed a month ago. The district encompasses much of downtown Cotter, including popular spots like the Cotter Bridge Market, the Arkanzen bar, and The Sands restaurant.
The new ordinance represents a dramatic departure from Cotter’s long history of alcohol restrictions. When Arkansas outlawed alcohol sales in 1915, Cotter, then a small settlement, had no local saloon. However, some residents found their place among the state’s bootleggers to meet demand.
Even after the end of national Prohibition in 1933, Baxter County, including Cotter, voted to prohibit alcohol sales again in 1945. It wasn’t until 1978 that Baxter County returned to “wet” status in an election that saw unprecedented voter turnout.
Despite the county’s wet status, Cotter maintained several restrictive ordinances. As recently as 2022, the Cotter City Council had to approve a one-time exemption for alcohol sales during the popular FT3 Fly Fishing Film Tour at its local park.
The creation of the Cotter River District was a collaborative effort led by Mayor Mac Caradine, working with local business owners and officials. Key figures included State Representative-Elect Jason Nazarenko, Andy Dill of the Ozark Mountain Trading Company, Randy Coats of The Sands, and Nicole Hatchet of the Cotter Bridge Market and the Arkanzen.
Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams and Rapp’s Barren Brewing Co-owner Russell Tucker provided valuable assistance, sharing insights from their experience implementing Arkansas’s first entertainment district in Mountain Home in 2019.
City officials hope the entertainment district will lead to steady, slow growth for Cotter as the small city continues to navigate the growing tourism industry in Northern Arkansas.
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