The Big 4 - Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale all recently reported their cumulative sales tax revenue rose 2% from last year, totaling $5.873 million.

• The reports reflect taxes on purchases made in February. Bentonville scored the highest revenue gains from sales tax generated in February, reporting STR of $1.372 million, up 22.55% from this time last year.

• Fayetteville’s tax revenue for February was $1.806 million, up 1.45% from a year ago. Rogers’ and Springdale's tax revenues both decreased - Rogers reported STR of 1.496 million, down 3.8%, and Springdale reported a 7.61% drop in STR, totaling $1.198 million.

• Quote: “This increase was impressive given the economic climate around the pandemic, but we think it shows our continuing population growth and the resiliency of our local workforce and economy,” said Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman.

Read more HERE.

The Momentary has announced it will be hosting a stellar lineup of musical performances in Bentonville, featuring Billy Strings, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Jazz legend Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. All told, more than 15 bands will be strutting their stuff for the festival.

• Tell me more: FreshGrass | Bentonville is a two-day, family-friendly music festival celebrating today’s bluegrass and roots music that will make its debut at the Momentary on October 1-2, 2021.
• The fun part: Music performances will be followed by festival events that celebrate the bluegrass and roots music culture. A FreshKids area with family-friendly activities, local food favorites, and pop-up performances will light up every space of the Momentary.
• Make plans! FreshGrass | Bentonville tickets will go on sale to Momentary members on May 6, 2021.

In the meantime, you can find out more HERE.

In case you missed it, Oscar Sunday is coming up this weekend (4/25), and an Arkansas filmmaker is in the running for Best Picture.

• Best Picture: Minari tells the story of a young Korean couple who moved with their family to Arkansas in the 1980s. The film, set in Lincoln, AR, racked up six total nominations including Original Screenplay and Original Score.

• Quote: "It's an American story. It's an Arkansas story. It's really a universal story. The fact that the filmmaker is from Arkansas, it's very special." said Ashley Edwards with the Bentonville Film Festival.

The Academy Awards will be held this Sunday at 7pm. You can find the full article HERE.

Whew - what a week right? Snow in late April? These days, nothing surprises us - we're just waiting on the weekend. So kick back, relax, and let us take care of your weekend plans. Here are a few of our recs:

• Serotonin Sunday: It’s happening again! Airship Coffee at Coler will welcome @djryanstorey into the beer garden for a mid-Sunday afternoon of feel-good, serotonin-boosting music. One thing is for sure - mimosas will be had!

• Forest Fest: Join Crystal Bridges on Sunday for a celebration of food, drink, art, and the spring season while you relax among the beautiful spring blooms of the North Forest.

• Celebrate Mother Earth: The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks will host an Earth Day Festival from 1-5pm on Sunday.
• The outdoor event includes family-friendly activities, crafts, music, games and giveaways.

• Jazz it up: The Fayetteville Jazz Festival will return for a third year as the U of A Community Music School, Institute for Creative Music, and Fayetteville Public Library host festival events all weekend! April 23-25.

• 26.2: The Hogeye Marathon, half marathon, 5k and other events will begin on Saturday, April 24th.

• Live @ Black Apple: Catch artist, Samantha Hunt from 7-9 tonight at Black Apple Brewery in Downtown Springdale. Cheers!

• Spring into OZ: This Saturday, the OZ family is getting together for a reunion to celebrate change in season at Thaden Fieldhouse in Bentonville. Bikes, planes, food, art, parks are all part of the plan. You can register for the free event here.

Did we miss anything? If so, you can email us here. Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!