Siloam Springs will host its first-ever Fourth Friday community event at Memorial Park on May 26, from 4-8:30p, and the theme is Americana!

• Best summer ever: The monthly family-friendly event will transform downtown into one big block party complete with free activities, bounce houses, over 40 local vendors, live music, and much more! Food trucks and vendors will open at 4p.
• Memorial: In observation of Memorial Day Weekend, this first Fourth Friday will honor our nation’s Armed Forces with a special ceremony at 6:30p at the Chautauqua Amphitheater, followed by musical artist Shannon Wurst who will kick-off the Summer Concert Series at 7p.

Find more information and see the entire season's schedule HERE.

Grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and get ready to celebrate the beginning of summer at the first-ever Gathering at Johnson Bottoms, set for Jun 1 from 6-9p.

• Family fun: Eat your fill of Wright's Barbecue and sip a coffee from Bethel Brew while shopping from several local vendors like Olive Trunk Boutique, while the kids enjoy activities like a fun zone sponsored by Lewis Automotive, a fire truck with water guns provided by Johnson Fire Dept, and a giant sand pile.
• Celebrate others: Johnson Bottoms was started by four local business owners with the desire to celebrate the hard work and creativity of other small businesses and create experiences that foster a more deeply connected community.

Stay up to date with Johnson Bottoms on Facebook and Instagram, and learn more about the Gathering HERE.

The latest estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau lists Northwest Arkansas as the nation's 100th largest metropolitan area, with the combined populations of Benton, Madison, and Washington Counties rising to 576,403 as of July 2022 and an increased growth rate of 36 people moving to NWA per day.

• New destination: Ranked the No. 10 Best Places To Live by U.S. News and No. 9 on the Milken Institute's annual Best-Performing Cities list, Northwest Arkansas continues to attract migrating residents from high-cost areas like New York and San Francisco.
• Growing together: At its current growth rate, NWA could reach 600,000 by Jan 2025, adding to the sense of urgency that core infrastructure like roads, affordable housing, drinking water, health care services, and flight options out of XNA need to expand if NWA is to remain one of the nation's best places to live and work.

Read more about NWA's growth HERE.

Diamond Property Group believes every move can be a catalyst for change and will take advantage of "National Moving Month" by hosting Donate to Elevate: Pack Generosity in Your Boxes! in support of Samaritan Community Center on Saturday, May 27, from 10a-12p.

• Donation drive: Whether you're relocating, decluttering, or wrapping up some spring cleaning, your donations of new or gently used furniture, clothing, and household items can make a big difference in supporting the work of the Samaritan Community Center.
• Giving back: B2 Moving Services will help load and transport donations, and all who participate can enter a raffle featuring huge prizes, like a free consult from The Organizer Chicks! Plus, everyone who donates will receive a complimentary treat at YumYos.

The donation drive will happen at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in the parking lot east of Malco Theatre. Learn more HERE.

Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis will lead the 9th annual Bentonville Film Festival from Jun 13-18, featuring a robust lineup of films with onscreen leads like Emilio Estevez, Matthew Modine, Sean Astin, and Ken Jeong.

• Talking at the movies: In addition to over 70 film screenings, pass holders are invited to participate in multiple panels that challenge industry norms and emphasize independent artists in the film, storytelling, and technology industry.
• Box office: Individual tickets to select screenings begin at $15, or BFF attendees can choose from three pass tiers with varying levels of access to in-person screening and panels or on-demand streaming through Jun 25.

Get your passes to the Bentonville Film Festival HERE.