More than 20 vendors and seven food trucks will line the streets in downtown Little Rock this Friday at 7th and Main for the 8th Annual Fall Food & Craft Fair. The event is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and will run from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Items available for purchase at the fair were handmade by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities from across the state who are served by DHS's Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS). These items include rugs, magnets, artwork, wreaths, and more, which are also sold year-round in DHS's in-house store, The Blue Umbrella. All proceeds go to the artists who made the items.

A flyer for the event is below or available by clicking here.

DDS Director Jennifer Brezée has seen firsthand how the annual Fall Food and Craft Fair gives beneficiaries with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience independence.

"When you buy items at the event or from The Blue Umbrella, you are supporting Arkansans who want to work and contribute to their communities. They enjoy being creative and love when someone purchases their products," Brezée said.

DDS provides funding for services and supports to thousands of Arkansans living in their own communities and in its five residential Human Development Centers (HDCs) in Arkadelphia, Booneville, Conway, Jonesboro, and Warren. The Division's mission is to work with Arkansans with developmental and intellectual disabilities so they can be as independent as possible and have a high quality of life, Brezée said.

Due to the fair, 7th and Main streets will be closed starting at 9:00 am and will reopen at 2:30 pm.

Learn more about The Blue Umbrella here: https://www.blueumbrellaar.org/