Rock Island Arts & Crafts Festival This event offers an arts and crafts show along with antiques, collectibles, and a variety of vendors. Enjoy food and drinks from the concessions.
In the early 1870s, when Louis Navarre came to the
area on a hunting expedition, he found the river full
of fish, the grass belly-deep on the horses, and the
countryside full of deer, wild turkey, and wild hogs.
Said his grandson, Robert J. Navarre, Jr., “I’m
sure they thought they had found the most wonderful
place in the world.” Louis definitely saw something
of value, for he later returned to the area and, in
1889, established a residence. It is on a portion of
Louis Navarre’s property, which he later sold to
Frank Harrah, that the initial townsite of Harrah was
platted.
In 1892, a group of ten Polish families arrived from
Marche, Arkansas. Discouraged by poor crop yields, they
were looking for something better, and they found it
in the fertile farmland of the North Canadian bottom.
With hard work and determination, these families survived
to form the nucleus of Harrah’s Polish community,
and they told others.
Today, Harrah boasts a population of approximately
5,000, with great schools, places to eat and things
to do - overall, a great quality of life.
And each September brings their signature event, Harrah
Daze, with a parade, square dancing, and lots of music.
Don't miss it!
