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Before we get started, we wanted to give a big THANK YOU to our generous community partners including Walmart, the City of Bentonville, Visit Bentonville, The Walmart Museum, and the Walton Family Foundation.
Here’s what you can expect from October First Friday fueled by ZOA Energy!
ZOA statement: “When you find energy, that motivation to get started, it doesn't stop with you. It keeps going, keeps evolving, and keeps igniting those around you. ZOA is here to light that spark inside you with a cleaner energy formula. Crafted to help you reach your potential and inspire others to reach just as high.”
Despite what you may have heard, Oktoberfest is not just about the beer. In Germany, it isn’t even considered a Beer festival! Oktoberfest is a traditional folk festival for the entire family and we’re having our own right here in Downtown Bentonville. Bentonville Oktoberfest will include live performances, vendor tents, all the brats, pretzels, and a specialty Biergarten!
Break out those lederhosen and wear your best traditional German outfits! Best Costume awards will be handed out during the event.
Werther’s will be bringing a love for creating with caramel to First Friday. Stop by the Werther’s booth on Main Street to sample the flavors that we’ve grown up with and fun recipes to create these yummy treats at home.
Werther's on stage: Join Werther's at the Main Stage from 7:10 - 7:40 PM when guest judges decide whether Table Mesa, Ozark Mountain Bagel, or Superfine Sweet Shoppe win their “Caramel Creations” taste-test event.
March to August 5:00 - 5:45 PM
Church Street 6:00 - 7:10 PM
Werthers 7:10 - 7:40 PM
Jukebox Confession 7:40 - 9:00 PM
THE BIERGARTEN
Biergarten & Brats: 4:00 - 8:00 PM(21 & up)
Beer & Hymns 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Trivia: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Beer & Hymns 7:00-8:00 PM
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! All you need to do is bring a yoga mat and water.
Through the Floral & Hops archway created by Bloom Florists, we’ll get to experience our own Biergarten where local Breweries - Bentonville Brewery, Rendezvous Junction, and Bike Rack Brewery- join us in the alley-way behind Arvest Bank. Traditional Music, Brats by Downtown Dawgs, and a variety of Beer will be available for purchase from 4:00 - 8:00 PM.
Beer & Hymns 5:00 - 6:00 PM and 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Who is Beer & hymns?
TRIVIA: A fun trivia game will take place in the Biergarten from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.
Come visit the DBI booth located next to the AVAD3 Mainstage and sign your name on our Bentonville Banner! Then catch the banner in the Bentonville Christmas Parade later on this year.
Our “Engaging” Neighborhood will feature a variety of interactive, interesting, and entertaining action. Vendors and activities will be located on 2nd Street.
Creating sponsored by McClarty Daniel: Stroll up NE A Street to visit the “Creating” Neighborhood. The booths will include some of Bentonville’s most talented artists and makers. As well as an interactive craft for the whole family.
Welcoming sponsored by NW Orthodontics: Continuing over to SE Main Street is the portal to our “Welcoming” neighborhood. This neighborhood is where you’ll find family and kid-focused vendors, games, and activities including Segway, the NWA Rolling Video Game Truck, and Gel Blaster!
Belonging sponsored by Lifewater: Our final neighborhood is the “Belonging” neighborhood which can be found on NW Main St. It will include vendors and booths from groups that make up our unique Bentonville community. And of course all our pets!
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.
DBI and The Schmieding Foundation Inc. 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 Fusion Therapy Center are taking over!
Sensory Alley is generously funded by The Schmieding Foundation Incorporated.
Here’s the full food truck lineup:
Behind Studio 412 on Main St, FBC hosts a free, fun kids zone. Bouncy house, slides, and more!
We want to offer as much guidance as possible when it comes to parking downtown because we know it can get tricky.
Please remember that roads directly around the Bentonville Square will be closed to accommodate the crowds.
Follow this link to a virtual map courtesy of our friends at Visit Bentonville. Once you’re on the map, in the filter drop-down menu select parking!
https://www.visitbentonville.com/wander-map/
As always, we recommend carpooling with your friends and family.
Our friends at @bentonvillemovescoalition have teamed up with @pedalitforwardnwa and @we.are.trailblazers to bring First Friday goers a FREE bike valet. 🚲Thanks to Bentonville Parks and Rec, the Dave Peel Park green will be transformed into a bike valet. Running from 3-9 PM, 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.
Please note, that this parking and shuttle service is designated for community members with mobility challenges.
Downtown Bentonville Incorporated has secured support from Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville to provide designated parking, and a shuttle service to First Friday and holiday events.
This shuttle service will run from 4 PM to 8 PM during August First Friday.
Providing the reserved parking is First Baptist Church Bentonville. The church’s west parking lot will be available for guests with mobility challenges and their passengers. The lot is located at 2nd Street and B Street. Signage will show drivers where to park. A 16 passenger ADA shuttle will pick up and drop off drivers and their passengers in a safe location at DBI’s event.
Food Trucks will roll up to the square and be available starting at 11:00 AM for lunch.
First Fridays will officially start at 3:00 PM and run until 9:00 PM.
Please be advised and be respectful of downtown street closures during this time. We’re all in this together!
@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.
If you attend First Friday, fueled by ZOA Energy, make sure to tag us on Instagram at @downtownbentonville for a chance to be featured on our channel.
