The numbers from 2021’s local pop-up bar, Holidaze, were impressive and as a result they are giving thousands back to the community.

• For the community: Holidaze as a whole raised $55k last year for local non-profits and organizations. The “Naughty Bar” alone raised almost $30k for Children’s Safety Center, Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance, and NWA Center for Equality. Separately, the “Nice Bar” raised over $22k to benefit educational programs at Walton Arts Center. 
• Setting a bar: The Holidaze locations were open from Nov. 19 to Dec. 29. Holidaze employed 52 workers and served over 28k people in all. Only a question remains: How will we top 2021?

Read the full Fayetteville Flyer article HERE. 

Northwest Arkansas is as steady a tourist destination as ever according to the Jan-Oct 2021 Tourism Ticket report.

• New records: The hospitality tax collected from NWA and Arkansas as a whole is on pace to set new records from the first half of 2021. Additionally, the number of jobs in the NWA region is exclusively higher than the records set in 2019.
• The numbers: Northwest Arkansas saw an average of 26,500 travel and tourism jobs from Jan-Oct in 2021. This is 500 more than the 2019 numbers, and up 8.2% compared to 2020. Last year, the tourism tax collections grew 49.8% in Benton County and 70.5% in Washington County. 

Find the full Tourism Ticker report by Talk Business & Politics HERE. 

As you become inspired by the Opening Ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics, The Jones Center is offering winter and year-round sports and activities right here in NWA. 

• Like the pros: Year-round, the Jones Center features an indoor ice arena offering an open skate or one can schedule private figure skating. The Jones Center also offers curling, and ice hockey - fun fact, this is where the Razorback Hockey team plays its games and there is a game tonight (Feb. 4).
• Play: Beyond the ice, the Center has Olympic-size pools for laps and leisure; an indoor track and gymnasium for drop-in volleyball, pickleball, and basketball.

For more information, read the KNWA story HERE. 

Happy Friday and bring on snow day no. 2! Here are some events happening this weekend we'd recommend checking out:

• Honey makers: Begin a 3-part series at the Fayetteville library this weekend on the basics of beekeeping.
• Ball hog: Arkansas mens basketball team looks to secure their 8th straight win Saturday night at Bud Walton Arena.
• Soothing: Meditation and Art is scheduled for Saturday at Crystal Bridges and spots are still available.
•  With your little girl: The Bentonville Community Center is hosting two Daddy Daughter Dances to celebrate Valentines Day.
• For the win: Lady Gymbacks will take on West Virginia at Barnhill Arena tonight and will try to break their 2 meet losing streak.
• Tracing history: A new exhibit at the Rogers Historical Museum opens this weekend.
• Furry friend: Dog Adoption Network is hosting a dog adoption event on Saturday in Springdale.

Stay warm, have fun, be safe! See you Monday!