The August First Friday will be held on Friday, August 5th, 2022 from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on the Downtown Bentonville Square.  

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Here’s a list of 9 things that you can expect from First Friday  — in pictures, of course.

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1. And the theme is…

We’re going back…back…back to school!

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Expect over 75 vendors bringing some fun back to school giveaways, games and activities!

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Bentonville Schools will present over 15 booths this month!  Come enjoy fun games, crafts, science experiments and more!  

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2.  But first, a word from our presenting sponsor…

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Hostess Brands will be taking over First Friday! 

Don’t miss the Twinkie Eating Contest live on-stage at 5:45pm, where the winner will take home a $250 Walmart gift card!

Sign up for the contest at the Hostess tent on the day of the event. Hostess will also be handing out tasty samples of their iconic brands to all who attend.

Who wants CupCakes and Baby Bundts and Donettes?!

‍18+ to enter, free t-shirts awarded to all participants.

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3.  Check out the lineup for the Avad3 Main stage…

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11:00-1:00p: Stages Live App presents " Lunch Jam Session "

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4:45- 5:10p: Bentonville Schools Marching Bands

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5:10-5:40p: School of Rock

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5:45- 6:05: Hostess Twinkie Eating Contest

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6:05-7:20 Jenna & Soul Shakers

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5 minutes A Message about "Choose Love" from Bentonville Schools

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7:30-9:00 The Juice

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

This year, First Friday kicks off at 11:00am. Here are some things that you can expect to see on the square around lunchtime:

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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.  

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2. Lunch 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.  

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5. A reminder to always “Choose Love”...

Bentonville Schools is proud to serve as the catalyst for the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement in Bentonville. Families, business owners and community leaders are invited to learn how the Choose Love formula of Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion can change hearts through hands-on games and activities.

Scarlett Lewis, an Arkansas native, lost her six-year-old son in 2012 in the Sandy Hook school massacre. Since then, she has traveled the globe spreading her message of hope, humanity and choosing love. The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, established in her son's memory, provides social and emotional learning curriculum for the school, home and workplace. Her work isn't a mission. It's a movement.  

Don’t miss a presentation by Bentonville Schools and the Choose Love movement on the Avad3 Main Stage at 7:20pm.  

6.   Can you make the grade…?

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Let’s go back to school and test your knowledge with a Back to School trivia contest in the beer garden!  Don’t be tardy, the trivia starts at 6:30pm sharp!

Beer Garden will include brews from Rendezvous Junction Brewery, Social Project Brewing Co and Black Apple Hard Cider.  

You’ll find it on the field at the corner of Central Avenue and NE A Street.    

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7.  Don’t miss the extra-curricular activities…

**All activities start at 3:00 pm.

Race with the Boy Scouts: Check out the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby where local Boy Scouts will race their unpowered, unmanned, miniature, customized wood cars.

BMX Bikes:  Be sure to check out Tyler’s Retro BMX Bike Collection! 30 Cool bikes from 1987 and up. Rad!

‍Free Family Fun Zone:  A First Friday favorite, don’t miss the Free Family Fun Zone in the parking lot in front of the First Baptist Church’s 412 Building on South Main Street.

The fun zone includes bounce houses, slides, games and more!

Ozark Axe House will be within the First Friday footprint with their axe throwing cage!

Swing by the "Build a Train" tent and have your child build a free wooden train. Supplies provided by Jeff Blecher of NWA Wood Design. Jeff is a featured artist in the Art on the Square Gallery.

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8.  Never miss a chance to get your grub on!

Here’s what you can expect to find downtown on Friday:

Lili's Bubble Waffle

Bondi Bowls of Fayetteville

NWA BeaverTails LLC

K'Zolis LLC

Kona Ice of Bentonville & Fayetteville

Cacahuzintle un pedacito de Mexico

The Smackin Shack

The Swalty Kernel LLC

Carsten Concessions

Hype Coffee

Raised and Glazed donuts

Arkanthaw Ice Shavers

Twigs BBQ

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9. 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.  

@DowntownBentonville Facebook and Instagram stories will be taken over during each First Friday by our favorite hostess with the mostess, Heather Shelton!   Follow along!

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