Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events: October 2020

October 2020: Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Events

Ready or not, here comes October 2020! Here’s a list of things going on in Northwest Arkansas this month.

Downtown Runaround

This year’s Springdale Downtown Runaround will be all virtual. Runners will have between Oct. 1st-15th to complete either the 5k or 10k portion of the race. Participants will submit their results via email or in person. Once we’ve received your times we will have your race t-shirt that can be picked up in person at The Jones Center.

Time: your choice

Date: between October 1-15

Location: your choice

Click here for more info about the Downtown Runaround.

NWA Cycle Nation

The American Heart Association’s NWA CycleNation will be a digital team experience that everyone can participate in from home. Teams will have the option by participating in one of three ways: a led family bike ride, a stationary bike ride from home or a class; or on a mountain bike or road bike.

While it’s not the way the AHA had originally planned, it’s a convenient way to connect digitally to raise awareness, fund lifesaving research, advocate for change and improve the health of our community.

Sign up at CycleNation.org/nwa. For more information, go to cyclenation.org/NWA.

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Date: October 3

Location: your choice

Click here for more info about NWA CycleNation. 

Watercolor Workshop

Spend a Saturday morning in the Peel Mansion Heritage Garden with this beginner-level plein air workshop. Watercolor artist Leana Fischer of May We Fly will be teaching a variety of foundational watercolor techniques to help you paint the surrounding botanical scenery. The lesson will include tips on mixing color, creating a variety of brushstrokes, and painting different types of flowers and leaves. By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with a finished painting, along with the basic skills needed to create their own botanical artwork. All supplies are included with the cost of the workshop. Cost is $40, and the workshop is open to all ages and skill levels.

We are keeping these groups to ten participants to ensure the best focused teaching as well as managing safe distancing and COVID-19 precautions. Bring a face mask and a water bottle.  Contact Kenny with any questions at kenny.williams@peelcompton.org.

Time: 9–11 a.m.

Date: October 3

Location: Peel Mansion and Heritage Gardens at 400 S Walton Blvd, Bentonville

Click here for more info about the Watercolor Workshop.

Be Your Virtual Best

Calling all educators (and we mean all)! Have you switched gears from in-person to virtual learning? Does your learning environment look different this year? Perhaps you’re simply looking for new ways to engage your students. The Amazeum has been learning how to adapt to the virtual world, too! We’ve found ways to use play to encourage social and emotional growth and flexible mindset development in learners. Join us for an interactive session where we’ll test out different ways to make learning more accessible for students and educators in this crazy virtual world. Cost is $10, pre-registration and payment are required.

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Date: October 3

Location: online

Click here for more info about the Be Your Virtual Best event. 

Downtown Rogers Farmers Market

DTR market takes place Saturdays June through October. The health and safety of the community and vendors are DTR Market’s number one priority. Appropriate measures have been taken to address current guidelines. Rather than a place for community gathering, this year the market will be a traditional farmers market with vendors of essential food items. The market provides vital food access services to our community.

Time: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Date: October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Location: 120 W. Poplar St. Rogers

Click here for more info about the Downtown Rogers Farmers Market. 

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Please join us for our first annual pumpkin carving contest. There will be two categories: child (under 13) and adult. Teams will be limited to 4, with a max of ten teams per category. Teams must register at City Pump before October 1 and pay $10. Fee includes Pumpkin, and basic carving supplies and paint, any other decoration or supplies must be supplied by team. Prizes will be awarded at 4:00 sharp. Masks and social distancing will be enforced.

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Date: October 4

Location: City Pump 623 W. Walnut Rogers

Click here for more info about the Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Wonder Workshops

DIYers have to start somewhere. In this four week series, for ages 6-11, we will create new projects and building challenges every week. The ultimate goal for this workshop is to get more comfortable and confident using our hands and readily available materials to bring our ideas into reality. Cost is $60 for Amazeum members and $70 for non-members. Pre-registration and payment are required.

Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Date: October 5, 12, 19, 26

Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville

Click here for info about the Wonder Workshops.

Leading and Living in Crisis

The pandemic and politics make it a difficult time to lead an organization but now it’s more important than ever to lead well. In the next Hustle in Heels event, an initiative of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Debbie Jones discusses the principles that guide her through times of crisis. Questions, thoughts, and discussion encouraged as one principle holds true, we are in this together.

Dr. Debbie Jones is the superintendent of Bentonville Schools. She has more than 25 years of educator experience having previously served as Assistant Commissioner for Learning Services at the Arkansas Department of Education.

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Date: October 7

Location: Courtyard by Marriott and online 4201 W. Green Acres Road Rogers

Click here for more info about the Leading and Living in Crisis event. 

Garden Tea Harvesting Workshop

Join Peel Heritage Garden site manager Laura Brewer for an introduction to making your own tea from plants in the garden. This is a make and take class! Laura will talk about common and easy to grow plants and herbs that can be harvested for delicious and aromatic teas. Participants will get a chance to build their own tea bags from herbs in the Peel garden, as well as sample some teas brewed during the workshop. This workshop is beginner friendly, no knowledge of gardens or tea required. Cost is $20.  Bring a face mask and your favorite tea cup. Supplies and Prizes are Sponsored by The Spice & Tea Exchange of Bentonville.

Time: 5:30-7 p.m.

Date: October 7

Location: Peel Mansion and Heritage Garden 400 S. Walton Blvd. Bentonville

Contact Kenny Williams with any questions at kenny.williams@peelcompton.org

Click here for more info about the Garden Tea Harvesting Workshop.

Vintage Market Days

Join us for a Fall & Holiday shopping event, as over 120+ vendors from over 15 states showcase their unique vintage and antique finds, handmade goods, and the latest fashion trends from the cutest trendy boutiques. Shop and see all things Fall and Christmas! Eat at one of our delicious food trucks or try a snack from one of our specialty makers. Snag anything from a delicious BBQ sandwich to yummy stir fry. Fried pies, gourmet fudge and chocolates, hot & iced lattes, and more. The market is mostly indoors, so weather is not a factor. Come shop two large barns at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $5-10. For more information, visit https://www.vintagemarketdays.com/market/nw-arkansas/.

Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Date: October 9-11

Location: 7640 SW Regional Airport Blvd. Bentonville

Click here for more info about Vintage Market Days.

Rubber Duck Derby Fundraiser

Adopt a duck and the adopted ducks will be dropped into the creek at Lake Atalanta Park. The ducks will race to the finish line and the winners will win prizes for their adopted owners. We will follow all safety guidelines and directives during these uncertain times. This event will be live-streamed on Facebook so you don’t need to be present to win.

Your name will be paired with a number on race day. Each rubber duck will have a number. Winners will be awarded prizes of $500 for first place, $100 for second, and other prizes for third place. Cost is $10 per ticket or $25 for a 6-Quack.

Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Date: October 10

Location: Lake Atalanta Rogers

Click here for more info about the Rubber Duck Derby Fundraiser.

Film screening at WAC: Zarafa

Walton Arts Center and Walmart AMP are proud to launch screenings of classic movies, documentaries and recorded performances on the large screens at each venue.

You and your quaranteam are invited to take a seat, relax and get carried away as inspirational stories, larger-than-life performances and beautiful cinematography come to life in a theatrical atmosphere that reminds us how good it is to be together. Explore something new or revisit an old favorite. Choose a setting and movie that’s just the right fit.

Inspired by the true story of the first giraffe to visit France, Zarafa is a sumptuously animated and stirring adventure, and a throwback to a bygone era of hand-drawn animation and epic storytelling set among sweeping CinemaScope vistas of parched desert, wind-swept mountains and open skies.

Time: 2 p.m.

Date: October 10

Location: Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center 495 W. Dickson St. Fayetteville

Click here for more info about the film screening of Zarafa. 

Ozark Regional Fall Arts and Crafts Show

You’ll find a unique and diverse venue of art, homespun crafts, home décor, fashion apparel, antiques, vintage and much more offered by talented artisans and craftsmen from across the country in this show’s more than 300 booths.

It’s 3 days of fun, festive atmosphere at the Washington County Fairgrounds/Fayetteville offering both indoor and outdoor booths, festival food trucks of all kinds, live music, craft demonstrations and free parking.

Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Date: October 15-17

Location: Washington County Fairgrounds 2536 N. McConnell Fayetteville

Click here for more info about the Ozark Regional Fall Arts and Crafts Show.

Fresh Start

The signature fundraising event for NWA Women’s Shelter, Fresh StART, is back. While things may look different these days, the organization is still providing the same life-saving services and still needs support. This year the event will take place October 24 and will be virtual.

Ticket purchase in the Northwest Arkansas area will provide a party box containing food, drinks, and gifts delivered to your front porch so that you can enjoy all the festivities from the comfort of your own home. They will have the same array of art to purchase via online auction and some fun zoom shenanigans. The digital events and auction will be free and accessible to all.

Participation in this event helps ensure that the shelter is able to provide the life-saving services needed by its clients. Every dollar raised helps to provide emergency shelter, counseling, children’s programming and legal advocacy services.

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: October 24

Location: online event

Click here for more information about the Fresh Start event. 

Little Sprouts Halloween Costume Parade

Join us on Tuesday, October 27 (rain date Friday, Oct. 30) from 9 a.m.-noon for a fun drop-in event at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. If you’re looking for a safe way to still get into the Halloween spirit this year with your family, this is a great option! Wear your costumes, play and explore in the garden and we will hand out goody bags with treats and coupons as you leave.

For the health and safety of all our guests, masks are required upon entry to the garden for everyone aged 10 and up as according to the State of Arkansas mandate.

This event is free for garden members with a Family membership. For non-members, there is no admission charge for children 4 and under. Admission for children 5 and older is $4, and $7 for adults accompanying the children.

Time: 9 a.m.-Noon

Date: October 27

Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks 4703 N Crossover Rd, Fayetteville

Click here for more info about the Little Sprouts Halloween Costume Parade. 

Virtual Halloween Parade

Join us for this spooktacular new event, the 1st Virtual Halloween Parade. Engage in the thrill of Halloween with the community. Show Rogers and surrounding areas some fun entertainment that can be shared again and again fooooreeever (insert evil laugh) Ha Ha Ha HA! Support public programming, gather your team, family or friends (6 feet apart of course), throw on your scariest or funniest costumes and send us your festive videos. Applications are due by October 16, 2020. Contact Sheree Barnes at 479.640.4008 or sheree@rogerslowell.com

*Please note this deadline is based on availability. Applications will no longer be accepted once the virtual parade is at capacity due to time constraints. Click here to read rules, regulations, and unit descriptions.

Time: 5-9 p.m. (5-6 pm – Little Kids program; 7-9 pm – Big Kids program)

Date: October 30

Location: Online – DTR Inc. Facebook Live

Click here for more info about the Virtual Halloween Parade. 

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art offers a variety of workshops, gallery tours, sketchbook clubs and outdoor events throughout the month. Click here for more information. 

The Fayetteville Public Library continues to offer story times, workshops and discussions for a variety of ages almost daily. All activities are currently held online. Click here for more information.