Ready, Set, Go 🛶

The Big Three: The feature highlighted three draws to the city: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the region’s rapidly growing mountain biking scene, and the Bentonville Film Festival.

Hot Bentonville Summer: Just this June, Crystal Bridges is set to open its 114K sqft expansion, while the much-anticipated OZ Trails Bike Park will debut a mountain bike chairlift and 20 miles of new trails. The Film Festival also returns later that month.

Hometown Heroes: Founded by NWA native Elizabeth Kaufman, as well as Betsy Kooistra, READYGO operates in a similar space to FACTOR Meals but stands out by serving local fresh-never-frozen meals.

Chew On It: The meals are high-protein and nutrient-dense, designed to help families, corporate teams, athletes, and military professionals in Northwest Arkansas feel more energized and focused throughout the day.

From Beaver To Bella Vista: The guide highlights some of the top lakes within an hour drive of NWA, from the classic boating and swimming destinations at Beaver Lake to the tucked-away Bella Vista lakes that many locals still consider hidden gems. Explore which lakes are best for fishing, kayaking, family outings, or relaxing weekend escapes.

Know Before You Go: Along with helping locals choose their next lake adventure, the guide offers insight into what to expect before heading out, including tips for navigating the season safely and confidently. The team at Benchmarq is also available to answer questions about lake-day preparation and insurance coverage for friends and family on the water.

Building Connection: The initiative is backed by a $1.2M Walmart Foundation grant and is designed to strengthen nonprofit capacity while helping residents build meaningful in-person connections.

One Stop Shop: Over the rest of 2026, organizers will gather input through listening sessions, advisory councils, and town halls to build a one-stop volunteer platform that matches residents with local nonprofits in need of support.

Paddle to the People: The 15.5-mile route runs along the Upper Illinois River and includes three public access points, along with two whitewater parks: Siloam Springs Whitewater Park and WOKA Whitewater Park.

Whatever Floats Your Boat: Anglers can catch smallmouth bass, bream, and catfish, while the river also attracts wood ducks, wading birds, and even bald eagles.

🚚 Hogging the Heavy Lifting: Moving this summer? Boss Hog Moving Co specializes in residential and small business moves across Northwest Arkansas, helping make local relocations smoother, faster, and far less stressful. Learn more HERE.*

🎻 Pickin’ & Pinin’: Catch Eugene Onegin—A Bluegrass Musical at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville from Wednesday, Jun 10, through Sunday, Jun 28, as Pushkin’s classic tale gets an Arkansas twist with bluegrass, barbecue, and a whirlwind romance between a hopeful songwriter and a brooding musician. Get tickets HERE.*

🎤 Turn Your Group Chat Into a Team: Karaoke League at Big Box Karaoke starts May 28—teams of 3–5, weekly songs, and real bragging rights on the line. Limited spots available. Learn more and sign up HERE.*

💪 Turn The Heat Up: Refresh your fitness routine with Burn Boot Camp’s $69 4-week pass at its Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers locations. No strings attached!*

🥎 Playoff Season: The University of Arkansas softball team earned a No. 5 national seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host a regional at Bogle Park in Fayetteville this weekend, Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17.

❤️ Pay it Forward: For every subscriber you refer to NWA Daily in May, we will donate $1 to Ronald McDonald House, which serves families in need out of Washington Regional in Fayetteville and Mercy Hospital in Rogers.

🏃‍♀️ Pace Makers: Check out this new running pace app, created by a local Northwest Arkansan.

🎨 Paint the Town: Fayetteville’s Community Art Wall, which began back in 2023, will be repainted on Monday, May 18.

🏠 House Party: Housing inventory is on the rise in Northwest Arkansas cities like Prairie Grove, Centeron, and Pea Ridge.

🕺 Time to Boogie: A Social Swing Dance will take over the Great Hall at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville this Friday, May 15, from 7-11p.

🤸 Flippin’ Legendary: A University of Arkansas Gymnast won an NCAA National Championship in Vault after landing a perfect ten.

🎧 Listen Online: Want to listen to a summarized audio version of NWA Daily? Head to the top of this email and click “Listen Online” to hear more!

📅 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.

37 North Expeditions is seeking a Seasonal Adventure Guide.

The Museum of Native American History is seeking a Native American Art Curator.