Welcome to the first official weekend of summer. Here are some activities around the region you should check out:

• Yee haw: The Rodeo of the Ozarks is back for the 76th year this weekend, with events running through Saturday.
• A Springdale celebration: The Jenee Fleenor Hometown Celebration has music and events for the whole weekend, honoring Springdale's award-winning female fiddler.
• Spicing things up: The Momentary Green is hosting a Food Truck Rodeo this Sunday from 4-7p.
• Sizzlin' Saturday: Local companies are gathering this weekend in Springdale to host NWA's first annual SeltzerFest, offering local seltzers, live music, and a variety of food trucks.
• Take to the theatre: TheatreSquared had its opening night of Matilda: The Musical last night. You can watch the show yourself in the new Fayetteville Public Library Event Center this weekend.
• Canine concert: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is inviting NWA's people and pets out to enjoy their Saturday summer nights at the Forest Concert Series.
• Don't miss a beat: If you've been waiting for some concerts, look no further. Music is playing around NWA every night this weekend.

The Walton Family Foundation undertook a project to discover what teenagers in NWA had in mind for the future of their community.

• Short but sweet: The responses provide a window into hopes, fears, and expectations for the future of the region. In short, these teens want to continue to build an inclusive, active, and affordable region.
• Steps for the future: Community leaders are already taking steps to prepare for potential challenges the region may face in coming years. The research revealed that quality of life is incredibly important to young people preparing to grow into adulthood, as is maintaining "the region's unique character."

Find out more about the hopes NWA youth have for tomorrow and the challenges they are anticipating HERE.

Jobs that were posted to our community Job Board recently:

• Endeavor NWA is looking to fill a Senior Associate role for Entrepreneur Selection & Growth.
• Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville is looking to hire a Director of Development for all fundraising efforts for the organization.
• Sunny's, the new restaurant in Bentonville, is in search of a Lead Cook.

Have a job you're looking to fill? Post it here for FREE and we might feature it next week!

Like many entrepreneurs, Rejoicy's co-founders started with a problem. They wanted to support small businesses throughout the pandemic but found it difficult to do so online.

• What is it? Rejoicy is an online marketplace that helps the NWA community discover new local businesses and shop local with ease! The Company's mission is to connect the community with the local independents that make it unique.
• All in one: You can order from multiple shops with a single checkout. There are currently 24 NWA shops live with more being added every week! 

Right now, customers can order online and choose a pickup location. The Rejoicy team said delivery will soon be an option on the platform — making it even more convenient to support local! 

NWA has seen enormous growth in its sales tax numbers, with data from this year indicating a cumulative 40.76% increase from 2020, even higher than pre-COVID levels in 2019.

• The big four: The recent report recorded jumps in sales tax revenue across Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville. Bentonville and Springdale are on pace to have record years. All four cities have not only seen a return but an increase of consumers in the region.
• As it should be: Revenue from the cities totaled $44mm in the first half of the year, and all that money is getting put to good use. Each city is investing in parks, infrastructure, and events that will continue to serve their residents for years to come.

You can read more about the incredible growth in sales tax revenue in these four NWA cities and how it is serving the region HERE.