May 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!”

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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.

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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!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…. Here’s what to expect at MAY First Friday in Downtown Bentonville!!

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1. May’s theme: Outdoor Adventure

What you can expect:

• NWA is known for its outdoor adventures and we’re bringing the gear, the clothes, the guides, and everything in between that reminds us how lucky we are to be in the Natural State!

• Take to the sky with Fly Oz, dive deeper into the trails with 37 North Expeditions, and learn all there is to know about Bentonville Bike Fest 2024.

• Prepare for the outdoor season with water safety information from Swim Oz.

• Learn about the Police Explorer Program, the ultimate outdoor adventure!

• Take the outdoors in with inspired art, candles, t-shirts, jewelry, and home goods.

• The CB to You Mobile Art Lab will host a drop-in artmaking activity and hand out free art kits with tickets to the latest exhibition, Exquisite Creatures, so grab one while supplies last!  

• Every May, Walton Arts Center presents Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival with over 30 free and low-cost performances and events all across Northwest Arkansas. Stop by the Walton Arts Center booth to pick up free Artosphere goodies, enter a ticket giveaway, and learn more about the new season at the Walmart AMP.
• Stop by 21C Bentonville: join Shiloh Museum Grounds Manager and monarch butterfly advocate, Marty Powers, for a fun seed ball-making activity and milkweed giveaway (while supplies last) for guests of all ages. Dive into what you can do to support the Monarch population in Arkansas by spreading seeds on your outdoor adventures! 4-7 PM. More info.

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2. May Takeover Sponsor: Splenda

The community will be invited to hang out and enjoy a nice cold glass of lemonade sweetened by Splenda Stevia, grown in the US! There will be photo ops, Splenda samples & freebies including Splenda Shakes, and an opportunity to learn more about Splenda Stevia Farms and it’s journey to US-grown!

Ozark Trail:

Come join the Walmart Outdoors Team as they showcase a new collection of camping gear, made popular by the Ozark Trail brand. Bring the entire family and experience Walmart’s newest Ozark Trail Tents; try out their new Ozark Trail Chairs; and see their exciting new outdoor packs and drinkware assortment. You'll have a chance to interact with the new items, as well as have some fun photo opportunities.

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3. May’s First Friday Schedule:

11:00 AM Lunch on the Square - Food Trucks open

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12:00 PM Yoga on the Square with Yoga Story (FREE)

• Before the First Friday festivities begin, join Yoga Story at noon on the Bentonville Square for a complimentary yoga class. All yoga levels are welcome to attend! Be sure to bring your mat, blanket, towel, and plenty of water.

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3:00 - 9:00 PM All First Friday booths are officially open!

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4. Slim Chickens Mainstage

May’s entertainment is going to be filled with amazing, local talents of all varieties.

Mainstage:

5:00 - 5:10 PM   “Be our Guest” by Alternate Community Education (ACE Theater)

5:15 - 5:25 PM   Mr.Ladd’s Steppers

5:25 - 5:30 PM   Antonio’s Little Arkan-Stars

5:30 - 6:25 PM   Gavin Sumrall (2023 Bentonville's Got Talent Winner)

*Applications for 2024 BGT will be available starting June 1st!

6:30 - 7:00 PM   Kenny Belaey Bike Show

• Kenny is a 9x world champion and the founder of the Bentonville Bike Fest! He has won the World Cup overall 6x and has won the European championship 4x.

7:00 - 7:25 PM   Perry Ryan Theater Company

7:30 - 9:00 PM   Thanks for Nothing

• Thanks For Nothing is a punk rock band known for their catchy, high-energy songs and witty lyrics, this band is sure to have you dancing all night.

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5. Your Favorite Food Trucks Return To The Square!

Here’s the full food truck lineup for May:

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• BeaverTails Pastry
• Carsten Concessions
• K'Zolis LLC
• Kettle Ventures
• Kona Ice of Bentonville & Fayetteville
• Monster Food Truck
• Rolling Taco

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6. Sensory Alley is BACK!

The Schmieding Foundation Inc. presents Sensory Alley sponsored by Go-Go SqueeZ

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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.

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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.

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This month our friends at Blue Sprig Pediatrics are taking over!

• Two Garden sensory bins with topsoil and things to find inside
• Butterfly Coloring Sheet
• Flower Art Activity

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*Sensory Alley is generously funded by The Schmieding Foundation Incorporated.

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7.  Kids Zone at First Baptist Church

Each First Friday, be sure to visit FBC’s Kids Zone! Behind Studio 412 on Main St, FBC hosts a FREE, kids zone including bouncy houses, blow-up slides, yummy waffles on a stick, and more!

8. Free Bike Valet

Our friends at @bentonvillemovescoalition have teamed up with @pedalitforwardnwa and @we.are.trailblazers to bring First Friday goers a FREE bike valet at the Dave Peel Park green space. 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 Bentonville Parks and Rec for the location at Dave Peel Park.

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9. Now let’s talk parking.

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.

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Use this link here to access our updated Downtown Bentonville Parking Map!

Downtown Bentonville Parking Map

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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.

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10. Share your photos with us & follow along.

@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.

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Be sure to tag us for a chance to have your photos and videos reshared!

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Our 2024 MAY 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:

• Stroll down S. Main Street to visit the “Remix” Neighborhood. The booths will include some of Bentonville’s most talented artists and makers. As well as interactive crafts for the whole family.

Replay sponsored by Deep Roots Health Center:

• Our “Replay” Neighborhood will feature a variety of interactive, interesting, and entertaining action for the whole family.  Vendors and activities will be located on N. Main St.

Rewind sponsored by NW Orthodontics:

• Continuing over to Second St. is the portal to our “Rewind” neighborhood. This neighborhood is where you’ll feel the vibe of this month’s theme!  Vendors will educate, inspire, entertain, and offer products centered around outdoor adventures.