The September First Friday will be held on Friday, September 2nd, 2022 from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on the Downtown Bentonville Square.  

Food trucks and music kick off at 11:00am.

Activities and activations in the event footprint begin at 3:00pm.

Here’s a list of 7 things that you can expect from First Friday  — in pictures, of course.

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1. And the theme is… Art, Music & Culinary!

Yes, we’re covering a trifecta of cultural delights!!  

In fact, our September First Friday is the kickoff of Art & Culinary Week in Downtown Bentonville!

On Friday, you can expect to experience 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!

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.  

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2.  But first, a word from our sponsor…

Make sure to make a sweet stop by the Werther’s and Mamba tents for games, photo opportunities, and of course…candy samples!  

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3.  Check out the lineup for the Avad3 Mainstage…

5:00pm Bob Bowman Quartet

6:00pm Fayetteville Jazz Collective Octet

7:00pm Fernando Valencia Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble.

8:00pm Charlie J Memphis

Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society has curated a spectacular line-up for a night of Jazz on the Square.  Plus, a can’t-miss performance by Charlie J Memphis!  Charlie J Memphis is a Texan by way of Illinois that plays a can't-miss mix of country, southern rock, and blues that he calls “Swamp Rock.

Check out Charle J Memphis here:  https://youtu.be/R02RObjD1kU

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4.  It’s not your typical lunch hour…Get ready to jam!

First Friday kicks off at 11:00am with lunch-hour music. Here are some things that you can expect to see on the square:

1. Stages Live App presents Lunch Jam Session: Stages.Live, an exciting new app, will host a super cool, local artist "Jam Session" from 11:00am-1:00pm on the AVAD3 Main Stage. Stages.Live is a homegrown live music and events app that's soon to be the go-to app for live events across the country. That's right, NWA has a new tech company! Get Stages.Live in the app stores.  

2. Food Trucks on the Square:  You asked, we delivered!  Lunch on the Square is back!  Join us at 11:00am and grab your lunch on the Bentonville Square from a variety of food trucks.  Food trucks will remain open until 9:00pm.

• Kona Ice of Bentonville & Fayetteville
• Cacahuzintle un pedacito de México
• Carsten Concessions
• Downtown Dawgs
• K'Zolis LLC
• NWA BeaverTails LLC
• The Smackin Shack
• Hype Coffee
• Raised and glazed donuts
• Wicked Wood Fired Pizza
• Bondi Bowls of Fayetteville
• Delta Biscuit Co.
• The Momentary Food Truck
• The Swalty Kernel

3. Lunchtime Yoga with Yoga Story is back and will be hosted on the field at the corner of Central Avenue and NE A Street at 12:00pm.  This class is free to the public, but all are asked to bring a mat and water.

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5. Art Experiences Galore!

FORMAT Festival is coming to Bentonville on September 23 through 25th.  The festival will showcase hundreds of musical and visual artists from across the planet.

Get the first preview of the FORMAT Festival at First Friday when artist Samuel Hale live paints large scale images of artists performing at the festival. Swing by the breezeway at the Downtown Bentonville Neighborhood Market to watch him create live!

Experience Percussion Painting with local artist David Gomez.  

Sioux Creek Forge will offer custom handmade iron work live demonstrations ranging from the practical to artistic.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary are excited to share upcoming shows and exhibitions with you! Come by their tent to find out more, and enjoy free artmaking facilitated by the Mobile Art Lab.

Visit OZ Art NWA’s booth for free coloring sheets of local artwork, watercolor palettes, art maps, branded swag, and more!

Michaela Cozad from Lotus Crown Studio will be creating a live chalk mural that represents the celebration of the Art & Culinary Week kickoff.

Art On The Square is a fine art gallery in Downtown Bentonville located at the corner of Central Avenue and Main Street featuring original art for sale from over 20 Arkansas artists. Meet several of the artists and enjoy their work just outside of the gallery.

Percussion Drumming is an activity geared towards the whole family. Participants are given a painter's suit, canvas, paint and drum sticks to explore the intersection of music and art. Participants drum on buckets to music played over speakers all while there is paint atop of the buckets that then splashes on canvases. There is no previous experience required and most people are able to participate and create immediately. This audio-visual experience allows participants to be part of this event without much preparation.

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6. Don’t miss the beer garden…

Beer Garden:  Beer Garden will include an awesome variety from a handful of our favorite local breweries.  

Rendezvous Junction Brewery, Social Project Brewing Co., Bentonville Brewery and Bike Rack Brewing Co. will all be there!   You’ll find it on the field at the corner of Central Avenue and NE A Street.    

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7. Share with us on social!

Make sure to tag us in your First Friday photos!  We want to see your pets, children, families – even a few food pictures.  

Want to learn more about #downtownBentonville?

Searching for a restaurant, retail shop, park, gallery, or upcoming event?

Make sure to download the Downtown Bentonville app in the Apple and Google Play stores.

Apple App Store: https://apple.co/3riquho

Google Play Store: https://bit.ly/3rjLRPq

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