It's that time again for ferris wheels, funnel cakes, and animal shows at the fair grounds in Fayetteville. The Washington County Fair begins today and will be full of activities through Saturday (Aug. 28) at 2536 N. McConnell Ave. in Fayetteville. 

• Big deal: The Washington County Fair was founded in 1857 and is now the “largest and most established” county fair in Arkansas. 
• Always more: The most recent additions to the fair are the tractor pull event, Dutch oven cook-off, and the Miss Washington County Fair pageant. 

Take a look at the fair schedule HERE. 

Being called the “the backbone of this nation”, Cody Yancey of Yancey’s Dickson St. Dogs is offering his hot dog stand as a Safe Place on Dickson Street.

• Happy to help: Yancey is an NWA native and U of A alumni who cares intensely about the Fayetteville community and recognizes that nothing good happens after midnight. He has extended his help Thurs-Sat night while he’s out late selling hot dogs. 
• Prepared: In his posts on social media, Yancey gave tips on how to stay safe at night on Dickson and let people know he is trained to recognize an opioid overdose and carries overdose reversal drug kits. 

Click HERE for more. 

What would we do with all the spaces allotted for parking vehicles if they were left empty for a day? Sep. 17 is that day, my friends. 

• Reimagined: Springdale is one of 27 cities around the world where Mobility Solutions Provider Spin granted $1k to create installations for the 2021 international Park(ing) Day. Cities will be repurposing entire parking lots into things like outdoor theaters and life-sized chess boards. 
• Pitstop: Since endangered Monarch butterflies stop in Springdale when they migrate between Canada and Mexico, the Downtown Springdale Alliance plans to convert a parking spot into a space to educate people about the species with presentations and interactive exhibits. 

For more details, click HERE. 

Will there ever be too many specialty coffee shops? We don’t think so. Confident Coffee Roasters is a woman-owned, purpose-driven, specialty coffee company with the mission of empowering women throughout its value chain.  

• Giving back: Confident Coffee donates proceeds to projects like the new childcare facility at the Finca Zalmari farm in Costa Rica, and hosts community events like yoga & meditation evenings.
• Every occasion: The shop on Main Dr in Fayetteville is a perfect spot for meeting a group of friends, or for some quiet time alone. Also, as a bonus for all you busy coffee lovers, they will be adding a drive-thru in late September. 

When you visit, mention NWA Daily for 10% off your purchase. 

When you’re proactive with ideas that could change the world, you get rewarded for it. The National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program granted a Fayetteville-based technology startup $256k as part of Phase 1 funding.  

• The future: SIEV Technologies claims to be the “future of biochemicals” with its new technology that converts waste into valuable bio-products. The technology is environmentally friendly and creates sustainable chemicals.
• The Goal: The team hopes to utilize the funds to validate the technology in Phase 1 and expand its systems in Phase 2 to directly combat climate change and be good stewards of the planet. 

Read more about the startup HERE.