New inside activities at the Arkansas State Fair

LITTLE ROCK, AR - With the overnight temperature drop came a change at the Arkansas State Fair, the clothing of choice is no longer shorts.

But, there is a new inside activity sure to bring back a lot of musical memories. If you need to go inside to warm up, you can check out the new Barton Rock and Roll Museum.

Deb Crow took on the giant task of collecting memorabilia from Barton Coliseum's rock and roll past this August transforming what she calls just an empty room of bar tables and chairs into a music lover's paradise.

"Everyone say they went to their first concert at Barton, so we said let's see what we can do and we didn't have very much items to put in here," Crow says.

Crow connected with a record store owner, and after a few big donations, created the new museum.

"My favorite piece that we have is the Elvis ticket. I thought I'd never get a ticket to go with the concert and what we had. We did have the picture of the marquee, and about a year ago, a guy off the street just brought us a picture of the marquee lit up and the picture of Elvis on stage, and then I found the other picture on ebay," she says.

Many rock bands made Barton their venue of choice between shows in Dallas and Memphis. One night, a new unknown band opened for Yes. They were the Eagles. Crow says Barton became the Eagles' second concert ever.

"They hadn't even cut an album yet or a single," she says.

Without enough material, she says they repeated one song three times.

"ACDC, they've been here a number of times and these are actual pictures of them on stage," Crow said.

Crow says she is on the hunt for more pieces to add to the museum.

"I really don't know because I don't know what I need. You know, we're just piecing it together," she says.

If you have something to donate, call Crow. She also needs volunteers.

Deb Crow
Arkansas State Fair & Livestock Show Museum
501-372-8341