Crystal Crow developed a love for travel at an early age and spends a lot of her time helping others do just that — travel.
As vice president of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, Crow said she visits with people from all over the United States.
She said council members “stay in the know” about what’s happening in their area so they can communicate with potential out-of-area visitors who want to know more about the Ozark Gateway region.
“I think most — if not all — of us are involved in an event or two that promotes tourism in our area, along with helping to plan Ozark Gateway events and banquets,” she said.
Crow said tourism is an invaluable opportunity to bring new business to local small businesses.
“Creating pieces that paint a picture of how amazing your area is and persuading folks to come visit is a game-changer for small towns,” Crow said.
Crow said that even businesses that aren’t directly impacted by the visitors are affected with new or continued business from those who do see the initial benefits.
“A steady stream of additional money and growth is vital to all of our cities, schools and businesses, as they are the very heart of small towns like Cave City,” she said.
Crow said her favorite thing about working at the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council is the amazing people she’s privileged to work with.
They are like-minded people who love their towns and are passionate and driven to help, she said.
Crow said the only thing she doesn’t like about her job is not having enough time to be at every event, meeting or show.
“I tend to beat myself up when I have to miss something, regardless of why, and I’m still working toward obtaining the ever-changing balance of my priorities and many hats,” she said.
Adam Davis, president of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, said Crow is always positive and upbeat.
“She’s a problem-solver,” he said. “Whenever we have something come up, she goes right into problem-solving mode.”
Davis said Crow thinks outside the box and always sees things from a fresh angle.
“She has this positive, glowing personality, and you just can’t help but like Crystal Crow,” Davis said. “When she makes contact with anybody, she just has this positive approach to everything. She’s very friendly and outgoing.”
Crow is also the advertising and promotion coordinator for the Cave City Watermelon Festival.
She said her responsibilities for the festival mainly involve getting the word out to people.
“Last year the event was nominated for a couple of awards, so a few of us were able to go to the Governor’s Conference on Tourism as a Grand Old Classic Henry Award finalist,” she said.
“We also attended the Arkansas Department of Heritage awards ceremony, in which we brought home the inaugural Food Themed Event of the Year award,” Crow said.
“I work with our media sponsors to advertise our top sponsors with the event’s schedule and activities, and I also hang out with our media sponsors for radio interviews,” she said.
“I budget, negotiate and purchase the advertising; create the printed pieces and ads; and mass-email press releases. Occasionally, I even get to hang out with television personalities and introduce them to the world’s sweetest watermelons and the Cave City Watermelon Festival,” she said.
Crow said it’s awe-inspiring to watch people and businesses pull together to bring off such an amazing and huge event.
I’m honored to be a part of it, she said.
“I can honestly say, even though I’ve lived here for 17 years and worked at the Bank of Cave City for five years, being able to help with the festival is what truly made me feel like I’m from here,” she said.
“When everyone contributes their gifts, whether big or small, it makes a positive difference. I’m excited that I get to use one of my gifts to help my hometown thrive and grow,” Crow said.
The Cave City Watermelon Festival is a hit among locals and tourists alike, featuring the Melon Dash 5K, the Lost Melon Hunt, sports tournaments, live music and plenty of watermelon to go around.
Julie Johnson, chairwoman of the Cave City Watermelon Festival, said Crow is a force to be reckoned with.
“She’s a mighty little woman,” Johnson said. “When she gets her head wrapped around something, she’ll do it.”
Johnson said Crow promotes the event very well and dedicates many volunteer hours to working up ads and promotions.
“She is a woman of tremendous faith, has two of the cutest boys you’ve ever seen, and she’s a momma before anything else,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she has worked with Crow for more than two years and is very proud of Crow’s work.
“She’s a good person all-around. It’s hard to find people that you can work so well with,” Johnson said.
Crow is also the public-relations coordinator for the Cave City Kiwanis and said the club continues to grow.
“We recently gave shoes for the Caveman Closet at the school and awarded scholarships to two of our Key Club members,” Crow said.
“We also continue to add things like Movies in the Park to our service activities. The kids and adults alike enjoy having something local to do on a Saturday night,” she said.
Crow said the club is gearing up for its annual pancake breakfast, which is held the Saturday morning of the Cave City Watermelon Festival.
Crow grew up in Saffell and moved to Cave City when she married in 2000.
Her husband, Frankie Crow, works for Provence Construction and for Vital Link EMS as an EMT and has been part of the Cave City Fire Department for more than 20 years.
They have two sons: Blakeley, 11, and Peyton, 6.
“Blakeley loves Legos, reading and all things related to computers and video games,” she said.
“Peyton is our socialite, spending most of his time telling stories and making anyone who’ll listen laugh and feel loved,” she said.
Crow said the family attends Cave City Free Will Baptist Church.
She attended Arkansas State University-Jonesboro, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in printing management.
“There are several things I like to do, but at the very top of my list is hanging out and being silly with my boys and singing harmony with friends at church,” she said.
Crow said she also enjoys drawing, Bible journaling and photography.
While she doesn’t have a favorite spot in Arkansas, she said, she makes frequent visits to areas across the state.
“Our most recent trip was a spring-break trip to Murfreesboro to dig for diamonds. We came home after a completely electronic-free day with great memories, a few pieces of jasper, several colorful rocks, a lot of mud on our boots and Peyt’s favorite find — a sea shell,” she said.
“Another frequent visit for us is the square at Mountain View, as I have cloggin’ in my blood — the dancing kind, that is,” Crow said.
“Our next planned adventure is to head to Northwest Arkansas to see the Frank Lloyd Wright house, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and, hopefully, take a train ride,” she said.
“Growing up, my family used to do a lot of traveling and road trips, so I developed a love of traveling and exploring at an early age,” she said.
“I really enjoy getting in the car and just driving, seeing the sights along the way and where I’ll end up,” Crow said.
“I want to foster an adventurous spirit in my boys as well, so I’m always on a mission to take them somewhere new.”
Staff writer Kayla Baugh can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or kbaugh@arkansasonline.com.