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Explore and experience the Art and Culinary scene in Downtown Bentonville

Sep 2-10

Downtown Bentonville
and also

Thursdays

5pm-8pm
EAST SIDE OF SQUARE
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PRESS RELEASE
Here's 9 things you can expect at First Friday.

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Music

Special Appearances

Alan Burdick

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FOOD

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ORDER FOR
PICK-UP ALL
YEAR LONG

Order on the app and we’ll bring it to your car. | Thursdays 4-6pm.

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Themes

for 2022

01
Apr
Run Bentonville
06
May
Pet-a-palooza
03
Jun
Bikefest
01
Jul
American Spirit
05
Aug
Back To School
02
Sep
Art Festival
07
Oct
Oktoberfest

Schedule

of events

12
PM

ICE RINK OPENS

4
PM

Crafts & Games

4
PM

Multicultural Performances

This is the first Dog Days of the year, a simple event where people bring dogs to the square for competitions and the dog parade. There are literally dog's everywhere! There are free dog treats and you can win some serious prizes for you and your dog.

Head over to the DBI booth in front of the Five and Dime to sign up for competitions like: Best Costume, Most Creative Name, and a Pet/Owner Look-a-like Contest. We have an awesome prize for each winner that you don't want to miss!

SCHEDULE
Dog Parade / 10am
Dog Competitions / 10:30am

4
PM

Food Trucks Open

6
PM

LIGHTS ON

6:30
PM

SkATE SHOW at Lawrence Plaza

Activities

Around the SquaRE

4PM
Mainstage Opens

Last year we combined all the cultures we could into performances for the MainStage, but this year we're going a step further and bringing food & art into the celebration.

7:30PM
PARTY WITH JUKEBOXX

Last year we combined all the cultures we could into performances for the MainStage, but this year we're going a step further and bringing food & art into the celebration.

Upcoming

Events

20
AUG

Red BarN

Jamie Lou Connolly & Joe Dillstrom

17
SEP

Allencroft neighborhood

My Politic & 3 Penny Acre

15
OCT

TBA

Info Coming Soon

EVENTS

SPECIAL MARKETS

09
APR

OPENING DAY

30
JULY

FREEZEFEST

Events

THIS WEEK

Art Trail at Night
Sep 2
Crystal Bridges
8-11pm
First Friday: Art & Culinary
Sep 2
Bentonville Square
September First Friday: Art & Culinary begins at 11:00am on Friday, September 2, as food trucks open and live music plays on the Bentonville Square. At 3:00pm, activations and activities will open to the public and will feature a unique collaboration between our event team and the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society, featuring an all-star lineup of some of the most talented jazz musicians in our region! Local Influencer @TheHangryPedaler will guide guests through his favorite food truck selections, plus over 80 local artists, artisans and craftspeople will showcase their talents on the Bentonville Square. You can expect chalk muralists, live painting, live iron forging, a percussion painting exhibit, and other hands-on art experiences.
ALL WEEK: Don't Miss These Special Ghirardelli Chocolate Menu Items during Art & Culinary Week in Downtown Bentonville
Sep 2
During Art & Culinary Week, select Downtown Bentonville restaurants will be offering unique Art & Culinary Week desserts and specials utilizing Ghirardelli chocolate. Please check with restaurants on availability, hours and reservations.
VIRTUAL: The Art of Wine
Sep 3
Wine pairs well with just about everything! Join Brooke Bierhaus with featured guest and Wine Broker, Jason Willems, as they discuss the curated wine selection for the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra's "Evening with the Maestro".
Bentonville Farmers Market
Sep 3
Bentonville Square
Art & Culinary Week continues on Saturday, September 3rd, the square will be full to the brim with 85+ growers, bakers and makers in part of Bentonville Farmers Market and Art Market. This is a free event and will run from 7:30 a.m. through 1:00 p.m and attendees can expect special art demonstrations throughout the morning.
VIRTUAL: Merging the Business of Art and the Art of Business at The Improv Lab
Sep 4
Improvisation, or improv for short, is a form of artistic expression that we can all use to improve our daily lives. Located on Main Street in Downtown Bentonville, The Improv Lab is a leading voice in the conversation of merging the business of art with the art of business.
Art in the Alleyways
Sep 4
Downtown Bentonville
Sunday, September 4th, Oz Art NWA will offer a self-guided mural and neon tour through its Oz Art NWA Map, which can be downloaded and utilized on-demand.
VIRTUAL: A Home Base for Creation at The House of Songs
Sep 5
Music is a global language and when musicians come together to speak that language -- magic happens. Creativity is sparking in Downtown Bentonville at The House of Songs, an intentional space for local and visiting artists to collaborate, share and grow.
Spaghetti Night at Ramo D’Olivo
Sep 5
Ramo D’Olivo
Monday, September 5th features one of the city’s favorite weekly culinary offerings, Spaghetti Night at Ramo D’Olivo! Try a bowl of their delicious Tontitown pasta served with Laura’s homemade sauce, an Italian meatball, salad, and bread. Don’t forget to add your favorite bottle of wine! Reservations are recommended for this special event.
Ozark Culinary Tours
Sep 6
Downtown Bentonville
Join Chef Erin Rowe for an Ozark Culinary Tour of Downtown Bentonville on Tuesday, September 6th! On tour, guests will enjoy four food stops including dessert and one adult beverage or mocktail. As a local food author and Ozark expert, Erin will pack in all the arts, culture and history knowledge along the way on your guided walking food tour. Lunch and dinner tour options are available. This is a ticketed event.
Wednesdays Over Water
Sep 7
Crystal Bridges
Architecture at Home | 6-8pm
Bentonville Provisions Appetizer Class
Sep 7
Bentonville Provisions
Learn how to make amazing appetizers on Wednesday, September 7th at Bentonville Provisions! The Appetizer Class will teach attendees how to make bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, caprese antipasto, seasonal bruschetta, and cauliflower buffalo dip. Tickets cost $65 and the class includes snacks, apps to take home, complimentary beer or wine and 20% off in the store the day of the class. This is a ticketed event.
POP! Program for Kids at Bentonville Farmers Market
Sep 8
Bentonville Square
While you’re downtown, don’t forget to stop by the Bentonville Farmers Market from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday evening to participate in the POP! Kids Club program, which incentivizes children to make healthy choices at local farmers markets by giving them $2 coupons to spend on fruits and vegetables.
VIRTUAL: Experience Sunnys on Second
Sep 8
Join Heather Shelton as she checks out Sunny's on Second!
Downtown Bentonville Art Gallery Stroll
Sep 8
Downtown Bentonville
Take an Art Gallery Stroll through Downtown Bentonville on Thursday, September 8th starting at 6:00pm. Participating galleries will offer free or discounted beverages. To see a full list of participating galleries, click here.
Free Gallery Conversation
Sep 8
Crystal Bridges
Behind the Scenes of Let’s Talk | 1-2PM
Cocktail Tour: Abstraction
Sep 8
Crystal Bridges
6-7:30PM
Family Dinner and a Movie on the Bentonville Square
Sep 9
Bentonville Square
Celebrate Art & Culinary Week with a family-friendly dinner and a movie on Friday, September 9th. Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy a free viewing of Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs! K’Zoli’s Italian Food Truck will be on the Bentonville Square to serve up spaghetti and meatballs – plus other Italian Favorites.
Member Preview Fashioning America
Sep 9
Crystal Bridges
All Day Long
Grammy Award-winning Violinist Jennifer Koh
Sep 9
The Momentary
8pm
Fashioning America Opening Lecture
Sep 9
Crystal Bridges
featuring Fashion and Design Curator Michelle Tolini Finamore, PhD | 7-8PM
Fabric Dyeing Class
Sep 10
The Momentary
1-3PM & 3:30-5:30pm
VIRTUAL: How to Create The Preacher's Son's Bold Negroni Cocktail
Sep 10
Need a signature cocktail to wrap up the summer months? Try the balanced, bold, and bittersweet Negroni Cocktail from The Preacher's Son in Bentonville.
Discover the Grounds free nature workshop
Sep 10
Crystal Bridges
11am -12pm

Upcoming

DINNERS

29
APR
w/ Chef Matt Cooper
Sponsored by
SponsoRships available

Last year we combined all the cultures we could into performances for the MainStage, but this year we're going a step further and bringing food & art into the celebration.

30
APR
w/ Chef Mat Cooper
Sponsored by
SponsoRships available

Last year we combined all the cultures we could into performances for the MainStage, but this year we're going a step further and bringing food & art into the celebration.

11
JUN
TBA
Sponsored by
SponsoRships available

Last year we combined all the cultures we could into performances for the MainStage, but this year we're going a step further and bringing food & art into the celebration.

14
OCT
TBA
Sponsored by
SponsoRships available

We are thinking of all the most exciting things we can pack into a First Friday for one thriller of a block party.

15
OCT
TBA
Sponsored by
SponsoRships available

We are thinking of all the most exciting things we can pack into a First Friday for one thriller of a block party.

Sponsored By
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Music Sponsor
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Co-Hosted by
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Presented By
Season Sponsors
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Season Passes
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Event Partners
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