Arkansas sports keep rolling. This Saturday, the Hogs will host themselves at the annual Spring Game.

• Scheduled for a 2p kick-off inside Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, the Razorbacks will battle it out for 4 quarters with a running clock. The team will be divided into two and traditional score keeping will take place.

• Want to attend? It is free to fans to attend, but they MUST reserve their tickets beforehand. All the traditional policies apply (clear bag, concession will be open, no streaking, etc).

• Cant attend? The game will be live streamed on SEC Network+ and even replayed later on SEC Network.

Get all the details HERE before you go. #WPS

Yesterday, in a report conducted by the Walton Family Foundation, researchers found that communities with thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems and a portfolio of young firms demonstrate growth in jobs and income at a faster pace than those without.

• Additionally, the research pointed out universities can be commercialized or transferred to the private sector for entrepreneurship. Communities investing in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields are where technology clusters are created - and as these clusters become more dense, they draw talent in from all directions, spurring on the economy of a community.

• A community’s ability to start and scale young firms, involvement in the private sector, and quality of life are all critical components listed in the literature that are essential to a robust economy. When it comes to the Heartland, collaboration between the private and public sector is key.

Read the full report HERE.

Today, the U of A will announce the finalists for the 2021 Heartland Challenge, which includes student teams from 8 universities and is designed to simulate the process of raising venture capital for a high-growth venture.

• The Challenge has a cash prize pool of $96,000 and will be held virtually today and Friday (April 15-16). Dr. Tracy Gaudet, the executive director of the Whole Health Institute in Bentonville, will be delivering an epic keynote speech as well.

• Teams from eight universities, spanning from New York to Singapore, will be competing. Groups will present in front of a network of judges, including angel investors, serial entrepreneurs and industry executives.
  For a full list of semi-finalists, visit HERE.

• The competition starts at 5pm today, and the final round kicks off at 8am on Friday. The elevator pitch competition, voted on by the audience, will begin Friday at noon, which you can livestream.

Read more about how you can partake in the event HERE

"You just cannot beat the taste of a local berry" - a local berry connoisseur

Strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry picking season is around the corner traditionally beginning around the end of April or mid-May in Northwest Arkansas. With a lot of local u-pick small farms not having the chance to open last year due to COVID-19, they're eager to see customers again. It's easy to let this quick season slip by, so here are a few of our local favorites to make it easy for you.

Where to go?

• McGarrah Farms has locations in Pea Ridge, Lowell, and Fayetteville for harvesting strawberries and blackberries.
• Reagan Family Farms in Fayetteville grows both blueberries and strawberries for picking.
• The Berry Farm in Bentonville will have blueberries for your enjoyment come season

Want the taste with no hassle? In addition to offering you u-pick, several locations offer pre-picked berries. You can find a full list of Northwest Arkansas PYO farms HERE

Did someone say party? It's that time of the year - Downtown Bentonville's First Friday is back on the Bentonville Square starting May 7th, and we can't contain our excitement.

• Basically, First Friday is one big block party in Downtown Bentonville. Historically there have been vendors, food trucks, drinks, music, and all around good vibes.

• While specifics are yet to be announced, if you're interested in being a vendor or hosting a food truck on site for the June First Friday, applications are now open. Cheers!

When more information is available, it can be found HERE.