Events

Have a Business Idea? Join Us for a Chance to Win $2500 to Make it Happen!

We’re teaming up with Startup Junkie to host The Service Business Pitch Contest, presented by Generations Bank, at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville on Thursday, May 29, from 6–9p.

• Contestants: Whether you offer home services, commercial help, or tech-enabled solutions, this is your chance to shine and win big! You’ll have 60 seconds to pitch your business to a panel of expert judges. No slides, no props—just you and your idea. The winner will take home $2,500 to fuel their venture.

• Community: All are welcome to join us for a fun evening of networking with local founders, business leaders, and community members. Enjoy drinks, connect with other startup supporters, and vote for the People’s Choice Award winner, who will receive $750!

Sign up to pitch or attend HERE.

Arts & Culture

Students Take Over Crystal Bridges for a Night of Art and Performance

Arkansas Arts Academy will present Night @ the Museum at Crystal Bridges this Thursday, May 15, from 6–8p in Bentonville.

• Student Led: This free, family-friendly evening invites the public to experience Crystal Bridges through student-led performances in dance, music, theater, and visual art. From the Great Hall to the South Lawn, students will fill the museum with their creative projects.

• Purpose Driven: The event also supports Hugs From Friends, a nonprofit aiding Ukrainian children. AAA students will host a card-making station to share messages of hope, connecting art with global compassion.

Find more details about the event HERE.

Sponsored by Peel Compton Foundation

Hit the Trails During the Paradise Found 5K at Coler this Summer!

Lace up for the 4th annual Paradise Found 5K Trail Run, presented by Reign Storm Clean Energy, in Bentonville on Saturday, Jul 12.

• Scenic Strides: The course weaves through the world-class bike trails of Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, which was named Arkansas’s Tourism Attraction of the Year!

• Bring It Home: The race kicks off at 7a and finishes at Coler Homestead, right next to Airship Coffee. All participants will receive a special-edition finisher medal and race t-shirt, and awards go to the top overall finishers and the top 3 in each age group.

Find more details and register to race or volunteer HERE.

Food & Drink

USip Launches College-Themed, Beverage-Only Concept From Fayetteville

USip Fayetteville, a new drink-focused concept, is launching its flagship location at 413 N. West Ave in Fayetteville this fall.

• All Sip, No Snack: Co-founded by Justin Burnett, William Burbank, and former NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury, USip will serve sodas, teas, energy drinks, lemonades, etc. The stop will not serve food or alcohol.

• Planting Its Flag: The company has plans to launch stores in Baton Rouge, College Station, Huntsville, and Austin, with the flagship store opening at 413 W. Ave in Fayetteville this fall. Each location’s menu will be themed to celebrate the culture and traditions of its college town.

Learn more about USip’s launch and plans HERE.

Outdoors

Ozark Natural Science Center Hosts Annual Call Of The Wild Celebration

Call of the Wild, hosted by the Ozark Natural Science Center, is bringing music, food, and nature fun to Lake Fayetteville this Saturday, May 17, from 4–8p!

• Neature: Ozark Natural Science Center’s signature spring event features live music performances by Still on the Hill, Backyard Bugs, and High Country Hymnal, plus hands-on science activities, games, guided hikes, and a silent auction.

• Roll Up: Kick things off with the first-ever Ride for the Wild bike ride around the lake from 2–4p. All proceeds support ONSC’s mission to connect people to nature through immersive education programs and camps for all ages. Dinner and drinks are included with admission!

Learn more and get tickets HERE.

NWA Daily Picks

In other news…

• 🎇Step Closer to the Spark: See new plays by award-winning, national playwrights take shape during TheatreSquared's Arkansas New Play Festival at The Medium & Crystal Bridges from May 16–18. Then the festival continues May 23–25 in Fayetteville. Experience the process with $50 All-Access or $15 Single Passes.*

• 🍓 Strawberry Fields Forever: Big Box Karaoke is bringing the berry vibes May 18 during Downtown Fayetteville's Strawberry Fest! Stop by for strawberry boba, cocktails, mocktails, and HUGs Ice Cream. Feeling the tunes? Grab a mic for midday karaoke, sweet treats, and sweet beats, all in the heart of downtown!*

• 🐾 Purr-fect Prep: Thinking about fostering kittens? Join the Intro to Kitten Fostering session at the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville this Thursday, May 15, from 5:30-6:30p. Learn how to bottle feed, set up a cozy space, and help kittens find forever homes!*

• 🎤 Laugh Track: Comedian Dov Davidoff, known from HBO’s Crashing and NBC’s Shades of Blue, is bringing his sharp wit and wild stories to Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville this Thursday, May 15, at 7:30p. Reply “Dov” for a chance to win two tickets!*

• 🧶 Weave It to Believe It: Join Weaving NWA for Weave the People on Saturday, May 17, from 11a-2:30p at Mt. Sequoyah Center in Fayetteville. Expect local food, music, and big ideas as community leaders connect, share solutions, and celebrate the 2025 Weaver Awards.

• 🚗 Crash Course: Watch drivers battle it out for cash and glory as The Demolition Derby returns to Parsons Stadium in Springdale this Saturday, May 17, from 6:30–10p (doors at 5p).

• 🤖 Putting the “AI” in “Clothes Aisle”: Walmart’s new Trend-to-Product initiative is cutting apparel production time by up to 18 weeks, using AI and GenAI developed right here in Bentonville.

• 🚧 Maple Makeover: Maple Street between Leverett and Gregg will close for the summer as Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas kick off a $10M safety upgrade, bringing new sidewalks, bike lanes, and green spaces to the campus corridor.

• 📊 Real Numbers: Real Estate trends from Q1 saw 2,211 homes sold in Washington and Benton Counties, with 64% in Benton County. Fayetteville led in sales, and Bella Vista had the shortest time on market. Find more stats HERE.

• 📅 Events Calendar: Find and post upcoming events in Northwest Arkansas on our Events Calendar.

• 💼 Job Board: Find exciting new job opportunities or find great candidates by posting your open positions on our Job Board.

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