People are loving the Northwest Arkansas National Airport. Passenger traffic is continuing to rise and data is showing alignment with the levels of 2018. 

• Comparing stats: Passenger levels in March were 9.6% down from March 2019 and are projected to be down 9.1% from April 2019. But the levels are up 86.6% compared to last year, which is more than the 41.9% increase at the Clinton National Airport in Little Rock and the 34.2% increase at the Fort Smith Regional Airport.
• Air traffic: In the latest board meeting, the CEO projected the 2022 numbers for passengers flying out of the airport to be between 800,000 and 850,000. The purchase of more acreage for a second runway was also approved in the meeting.

Read the full story HERE. 

Arkansas Razorback head football coach Sam Pittman is in Fayetteville to stay. He and the University of Arkansas recently agreed to extend Pittman’s contract and give him a raise designed to last him until retirement. 

• Here to stay: The full details of the agreement have yet to be released, but Pittman revealed over the weekend that he’s locked in as the head Hog. After a decade of revolving coaches, fans are liking the idea of some stability. 
• Successes: Pittman has had a very successful career with the Hogs, especially after last year’s 9-4 season with the first victory over Penn State in the Outback bowl. Players even love him, calling him “one of the coolest coaches in the game.” 

Read more about the contract extension HERE. 

The hills of Eureka Springs are alive with the sound of chainsaws!

• Cutting wood: The 17th annual Carving in the Ozarks Festival will take place this Friday and Saturday, April 22-23 in Eureka Springs and will show off some of the most talented chainsaw artist in the country. The event is free, open to the public, and will raise funds for a Eureka Springs Food Bank, Fire Department, and High School class.
• For sale: There will be over a dozen chainsaw carvers from all over the US that will entertain onlookers with unique on-the-spot carvings that can be purchased and taken home the same day.

Read more details about the event HERE. 

The first LIVE! at Turnbow outdoor concert of the year is next Thursday, April 28, and the rockin' atmosphere is sure to be the perfect way to get into the spirit of the warm season!

• Evening of music: LIVE! at Turnbow is a free concert series at Walter Turnbow Park in Downtown Springdale that will take place the last Thursday of the month starting next week and going through October. Every month, the event features local musicians and bands from all genres of music in the Downtown Outdoor Dining District.
• Line up: Next Thursday, the opener will be Auralai, a cello-pop artist, and the headliner will be Modeling, a three-piece experimental, electronic group. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, listen to music, and enjoy great food and drink in the Outdoor Dining District. In the event of inclement weather, all postponed concerts will be rescheduled to the following Sunday at 6:30p.

Click HERE for more information.  

The annual Fayetteville Roots Festival is scheduled and the lineup has been announced! 

• Roots: The 2022 Fayetteville Roots Festival is a food and music festival dedicated to showcasing the food and music that makes Northwest Arkansas and the Ozarks so unique. It will take place on August 25-27 in downtown Fayetteville. 
• Lineup: There will be three main stages: one at the Fayetteville Town Center, Fayetteville Public Library, and Roots HQ, all of which are within a walkable area. The festival will support local farmers, chefs, restauranteers, and will feature artists such as The Wood Brothers, Taj Mahal, Bettye Lavette, North Mississippi Allstars, and many more. 

See the full lineup and get tickets HERE.