If you’re a connoisseur of food and drink and enjoy live music and outdoor activities, be sure to make it out to The Barn at the Springs in Springdale on Sept 17. 

• Local support: The evening is a fundraiser for the local non-profit, Shared Beginnings. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Shared Beginning’s mission to serve moms and families considering adoption. 
• Cocktails and Inflatables: Some of NWA's finest vendors will be present to offer food and drinks during an evening of carnival style games and inflatables for you to perhaps set free your inner child and enjoy.

Get your tickets HERE.

The first and only accredited collegiate school of art in Arkansas has been working to serve its community by building a new art district in the heart of south Fayetteville. Though it’s well on its way, the Windgate Foundation granted an additional $30m for the project. 

• Art expansion: The $30m is designated for the University of Arkansas to create more community space in the Windgate Art and Design District and to “bring together art, design and education in Northwest Arkansas.”
• Project design hub: The Windgate Foundation granted the University of Arkansas $40m in 2017 for the Windgate Studio and Design Center facility, which will be open to the public fall 2022. 

Read the U of A news article HERE.

Through the pandemic, organizations had to make sure their employees were cared for. After an anonymous survey of 80,000 Americans, 25 Arkansas employers were ranked on Forbes’ 3rd annual list of America’s Best Employers By State.

• Employee approved: Forbes compiled the list from a survey of organizations with at least 500 employees and ranked them based on the number of recommendations. 
• Where to work: Out of the 25 AR employers ranked, 7 are located in Northwest Arkansas. Rogers School District ranked no. 1, the Bentonville School District ranked no. 4. followed by Arvest Bank, the University of Arkansas, J.B. Hunt, Harps, and Walmart.

See the whole list HERE.

Get your marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate because the Coler Campground awaits! 

• The sites: The Coler Mountain Bike Preserve has 16 campsites with wooden platforms for tents, a picnic table, and a fire pit. All sites are hike in and offered year-round. 
• In style: Camping at Coler is the best of both worlds: It’s dry and primitive camping, but a walk away from a heated bathroom with hot showers, and Airship Coffee with hot drinks and yummy food.

Learn more and reserve a campsite HERE. 

There has been a variety of restaurants making changes in Fayetteville some opening for the first time, some hitting the reset button and starting fresh, and, sadly, others saying good-bye.

• Out with the old: Arsaga's at the Depot closed its doors to make room for a new development and Grub's Uptown has closed shop but hopes to find a new location soon.
• In with the new: Calle Latin Cuisine looks to be moving onto Block Street, Dollar Slice Club on Dickson Street is making a few final touches before opening, and Pizzeria Ruby in Johnson is welcoming folks.

Read the full update from Fayetteville Flyer HERE.

The 8th Street Market in Bentonville is growing up and becoming its own entertainment district called the 8th Street Outdoor Dining District, meaning the entire marketplace will be a designated area outdoor drinks.

• Drink and roam: Participating businesses inside the Market can soon provide cups or wristbands that signify a drink purchased within the district that can then be taken anywhere around the Market.
• The measures: The new rules will apply daily from 11a-11p in the district, however, the walkway to the Momentary will not be included.

Read more about the new space HERE.