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First Friday 2024 ….is HERE!
For 7 months, from April to October, dust off the ole’ boombox and bring back the cassette tapes because we’re calling everyone to Downtown Bentonville where “It’s Hip to be Square!”
We are thrilled to have Walmart as our presenting sponsor for the 2024 season. We also want to give a big THANK YOU to our incredible community partners including the City of Bentonville, Visit Bentonville, and the Walton Family Foundation.
NEW FOR ‘24 — First Friday Jams
🎶 GET READY for the monthly block parties by jamming out to the ultimate First Friday Mixtape. Click here to listen! Updated monthly.
NOW…DRUM ROLL PLEASE…Here’s what to expect at August First Friday in Downtown Bentonville!
An Ode to the Olympics. What you can expect:
Learn more about the Olympics, its sports, and traditions!
Take part in several Olympic-inspired activities! We will have games and challenges of all sorts throughout the event. We are talking about soccer, gymnastics, table tennis, archery, and other fun activities.
Are you ready for excitement and adventure? The Ninja Mobile will be onsite with a ninja course designed for all skill levels, ensuring exciting challenges for the whole family. From kids to adults, and beginners to fitness enthusiasts, everyone will have a blast navigating the dynamic and engaging obstacles. Imagine the thrill of scaling walls, swinging on ropes, and testing your balance and agility!
Earn medals, take fun photos, and shop for Olympic-inspired gear with our vendors.
Did you know 75% of people are dehydrated, affecting health, mood, and performance? Stay hydrated and recover faster with DripDrop.
Perfect for workouts, travel, and heat, DripDrop has 3x the electrolytes and half the sugar of leading sports drinks. It’s fast, effective, and delicious, with no artificial preservatives, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, and kosher.
Be sure to stop by the DripDrop tent!
11:00 AM Lunch on the Square - The Food Truck lineup is listed below.
12:00 PM Yoga on the Square with Yoga Story (FREE)
3:00 - 9:00 PM First Friday booths are officially open!
4:45 - 5:00 PM Annie with Perry Ryan Theater
5:00 - 7:00 PM The 2nd Annual Bentonville's Got Talent*
7:10 - 7:20 PM Gavin Sumrall
7:30 PM BGT Winner Announced
7:30 - 9:00 PM Barrett Baber
🎉 Join us for the 2nd Annual Bentonville's Got Talent! 🎉
Come and witness a spectacular showcase of talents from all ages, ranging from singers to ventriloquists and everything in between. The winner will be chosen by YOU through public voting!
Look for posters with QR codes around the event to cast your vote. Voting will occur in two rounds, and we ask that you vote once per round.
Don't miss the grand announcement of the Champion at 7:30 PM. See you there for an evening of unforgettable performances and community fun!
MEET THE CONTESTANTS:
Stroll up Main Street for these food truck options. Here’s the full food truck lineup for August:
Barrett Baber is a talented singer-songwriter known for his powerful voice and captivating performances. Gaining national recognition as a finalist on NBC's "The Voice," Barrett has continued to wow audiences with his unique blend of country and soul. His heartfelt lyrics and dynamic stage presence make him a standout artist in today's music scene. Don’t miss the chance to experience Barrett Baber's incredible talent live!
The Schmieding Foundation Inc. presents Sensory Alley sponsored by Go-Go SqueeZ.
First Friday is a large, loud event that can be overstimulating. The Schmieding Foundation Inc.’s Sensory Alley is an inclusive space for individuals who experience barriers in attending First Friday. We want all individuals who experience these barriers to have a safe and inclusive space inside the First Friday footprint in order to attend and enjoy First Friday.
Sensory Alley is a drop-in, cool-down space. To ensure a safe and inclusive space, all individuals requiring support must be accompanied by a family member/caregiver while visiting the space.
This month our friends at Powerback Pediatrics are joining us! Powerback Pediatrics provides home and school-based ABA therapy for children 18 months to 20 years old. They provide fun and engaging individualized therapy plans and support to children with autism and their families. Stop by Sensory Alley to learn more about services, relax in a calm environment, get some fun freebies, and play games with their awesome team!
*Sensory Alley is generously funded by The Schmieding Foundation Incorporated.
Located behind Studio 412 on Main St, FBC hosts a FREE, KIDS ZONE including bouncy houses, blow-up slides, yummy waffles on a stick, and so much more!
Our friends at @bentonvillemovescoalition have teamed up with @pedalitforwardnwa and @we.are.trailblazers to bring First Friday goers a FREE bike valet behind Arvest Bank (201 NE A St). The bike valet will be open from 3-9 PM. Simply bike to First Friday, check your bike in with the Bentonville Moves team, and enjoy the fun on the square! Once you're ready to leave, head back to the valet, pick up your bike, and you're good to go! It's that easy. Look for their tents! Racks were generously donated by Pedal It Forward. Special thanks to Arvest for providing the new location!
Public Restrooms are available at Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene.
Northwest Arkansas has seen some record-breaking weather lately with several heat advisories. We have partnered with several businesses to bring you multiple cool-down spots throughout your First Friday visit.
We want to offer as much guidance as possible when it comes to parking downtown because we know it can get tricky. As our town is growing and developing, we are here to help!
Please remember, that roads directly around the Bentonville Square will be closed to accommodate the crowds.
Use this link here to access our updated Downtown Bentonville Parking Map!
Downtown Bentonville Parking Map
As always, we recommend carpooling with your friends and family. Arrive in Downtown Bentonville early and explore the many shops and restaurants this sweet town has to offer. To explore more, click the link here.
@DowntownBentonville is the official social media account for Downtown Bentonville Inc. We’ll post all event updates on our accounts first, so follow us for the latest news, and be sure to check out our stories for fun sneak peeks.
Be sure to tag us for a chance to have your photos and videos reshared!
Our 2024 AUGUST First Friday Neighborhoods:
Neighborhoods make their return for our 2024 First Friday season! Divided into three distinct zones named Remix, Rewind, and Replay, the neighborhoods promise a fun and organized way to experience First Friday.
Remix sponsored by McLarty Daniel:
Replay sponsored by Deep Roots Health Center:
Rewind sponsored by NW Orthodontics:
