The Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall is preparing to host its first bridal fair on Saturday, Sept. 27.

According to Mat Faulkner, who owns the Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall with his wife Shelley, the bridal fair became an opportunity to reach out to the Searcy community after a canceled event.

“We had a wedding booked there the weekend of Get Down Downtown, but their wedding rescheduled for later in the year,” Mat Faulkner said. “So since we didn’t have anything booked we were trying to find a way to be involved with Get Down Downtown and show off the building to those in the community who have not yet had an opportunity to see the inside of it, and so we thought the bridal fair made a lot of sense.”

The Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall has a rich historical background and was a major mercantile site 100 years ago.

“People would show up on horse and buggies, and they would come and get their feed and their clothes,” Mat Faulkner said. “It was the largest mercantile store between here and St. Louis back then.”

Shelley Faulkner believes that the bridal fair can especially benefit Harding couples.

“It’s especially good for Harding because a lot of people are from out of town,” Shelley Faulkner said. “If they do want to get married here in Searcy, they might not know what’s available. So this will give them an opportunity to see that.”

According to senior Briana Holland who got engaged on Aug. 15, a bridal fair is beneficial because of its convenience.

“Just knowing everything is in one spot and actually not having to go to a thousand different stores, a thousand different places (makes it easier),” Holland said.

The fair will have 15-20 venues and will go from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“The wedding is a large event and generally very expensive so a bridal fair allows you to look at different vendors and compare their products and services all in one place,” Mat Faulkner said.