Northwest Arkansas October Calendar + Halloween activities!

October 2011!

First Fridays – Bentonville

Activities, food and live music for the whole family! Held on the Bentonville square March through November.

Date: Fridays *October’s event is a special Oktoberfest*

Time: 11:30am – 1pm and 5 – 8pm

Location: Downtown Bentonville Square

More Info: Celebrate Oktoberfest downtown with the Mug Root Biergarten. This month’s event will feature a bratwurst contest, yodeling contest, live music, and more themed festivities! A great event for the whole family or before heading out to dinner! www.downtownbentonville.org

First Thursdays – Fayetteville

First Thursday Fayetteville is a monthly event held on the Downtown Fayetteville Square. It features various works of art, live music, outdoor movies and other cultural arts representations. This year the event has expanded onto Mountain Street and includes a Kids’ Zone! Terra Studios will sponsor the kids’ activities. Free and open to the public.

Date: First Thursday of the month

Time: 5 – 8pm

Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square

More Info: www.firstthursdayfayetteville.com

Fayetteville Farmers’ Market

For the last 37 years, the downtown square market has offered the finest in locally produced vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, meats, baked goods, honey, eggs, jams, crafts, and  fine art from the NWA area. Each market day is a feast for the eyes, ears and palate, with a riot of color, aromas, and sounds — street performers, tourists, and the residents of Northwest Arkansas visiting with over 60 vendors around the beautiful square gardens. 

Date: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7am – 1pm, Saturdays 7am – 2pm

Location: Downtown Square (Fayetteville)

More Info: www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Market

The BGO market is held adjacent to the Lake Fayetteville bike trail in the meadow south of the Garden’s trailhead parking lot. There are 15-30 vendors offering fresh, local produce, cut flowers, meat, eggs, baked goods and handcrafts in this spacious market. Every Sunday morning the farmers literally “circle the wagons” next to the trail like an old wagon train. You can relax, let the kids play, talk with the farmers, walk the trail, and even visit the Botanical Garden.

Date: Sundays

Time: 9am – 2pm

Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)

More Info: EBT/Food Stamps, WIC, and Senior Vouchers gladly accepted. Plenty of free parking. Musicians are welcome at this rapidly growing relaxed market. www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org

Springdale Farmers’ Market

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, eggs, baked goods, plants and crafts. All items sold are produced by members of the market.

Date: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Time: 7am – 1pm

Location: Memorial Walk of the Jones Center for Families (Springdale)

More Info: Free admission. Call 479.751.3352 with questions.

Pickin’ in the Park Series

Bring your instrument and join in with live gospel, country and bluegrass music or just bring your lawn chair, sit a spell, and enjoy a memorable Ozarks evening. Acoustic instruments only. No alcoholic beverages please.

Date: Saturdays

Time: 6pm

Location: Frisco Park (Rogers)

More Info: Admission is free. www.mainstreetrogers.com

Little Sprouts

Join the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks for a short nature-based activity, weather permitting. Activities include a story, game or a take-home craft.

Date: Wednesdays

Time: 10am

Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)

More Info: Tickets – Kids over 13 are $5, Ages 5-13 are $2.50 and Kiddos under 5 are free. www.bgozarks.org

Third Friday Twilight Walks

Merchants downtown host local artists, photographers and musicians, and promote special sales on the third Friday of each month from May through September. Also enjoy live music, community art projects for kids, street musicians, artists and crafters lining the sidewalks, loft tours of historic downtown residences, and food vendors.

Date: Friday, October 21

Time: 5 – 9pm

Location: Downtown Historic District (Rogers)

More Info: www.rogerslowellarcoc.weblinkconnect.com

Quilting a Memory, Friendship and Commemorative Quilts

This special exhibition features a selection of 19th and 20th century friendship and commemorative quilts from the collection of the Rogers Historical Museum. Examples include pieced and applique quilts, some feature highly artistic designs and lavish embroidery.

Date: Through Saturday, November 19

Location: Rogers Historical Museum (Rogers)

More Info: www.rogersarkansas.com/museum

Huck’s Corn Maze

This new 5-acre maze in Lowell is cut in the shape of Popeye. Hay rides, water balloon launcher, pumpkin patch, maize, concessions and more! A large portion of the money raised will go to the Lowell Fire and Police Departments.

Time: Wednesday/Thursday 2-8pm, Friday 2-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 2-6pm, Monday/Tuesday closed

Location: Lowell (Check website for a map.)

More Info: www.huckscornmaze.com

Farmland Adventures

Corn maze, pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting farm, kid’s play area, wagon rides and campfires.

Time: Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm

Location: Springdale (Check website for a map.)

More Info: www.farmlandadventures.com

Ozark Corn Maze

It’s a-MAZE-ing! 5 ½ acre corn field labyrinth in the shape of a Razorback! NEW FOR 2011 – a second maze – family-friendly Haunted Maze! Open nights in October, hours TBD.

Time: Friday 4-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 1-6pm

Location: Cave Springs (Check website for a map.)

More Info: http://site.ozarkcornmaze.com/

Teen Book Discussion

Pick up a copy of the book from Bentonville Public Library in advance to be ready for the discussion. Books provided by the Arkansas State Library.

Date: Monday, October 10

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Bentonville Library Café (Bentonville)

More Info: September book – Chains. www.bentonvillelibrary.org

Library Storytime

Choose the storytime right for your child!

Baby Play & Rhyme Time, Thursdays @9:30am

Tales & Tunes for Toddlers, Tuesdays and Wednesdays @9:30am

Preschool Stories, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursdays @10:30am

Date: Sessions run through December 17

Location: Bentonville Public Library (Bentonville)

More Info: www.bentonvillelibrary.org

Fayetteville MOPS

In a nutshell: It’s a faith-based fellowship for mothers of preschoolers age birth to 5. The group meets regularly to share breakfast, share support, to learn from guest speakers and to celebrate Jesus Christ.

Date: 2nd Monday of every month

Time: 9-11am

Location: Trinity United Methodist Church (Fayetteville)

More Info: www.fayettevillemops.com

3rd Annual Titus Task 5k/ 1 Mile Fun Run/ Rubber Chicken Family Relay

The Titus Task is a non-profit, 501c3 organization that raises funding to support local NW Arkansas families who are in the process of domestic or international adoptions. The Titus Task community has raised and given over $25,000 in grants to adopting Northwest Arkansas families in the past two years. 100% of the donations given to The Titus Task is used to pursue a future for orphans.  We are all volunteers, many of us adoptive parents, who want to see more families experience the miracle of adoption.

At the Race Day Event, we have fun activities that include the whole family!  We have live music, face painting, photo areas with AUS10 photography & silent auction items from around the globe. Our Rubber Chicken Family Relay is a HIT!  Many families and groups come to participate in the hilariously crazy relay.  It is truly a NWA Family Event!  

Date: Saturday, October 8

Time: 5K begins at 8:30, 1mile run begins directly after

Location: Downtown Siloam Springs, East Main & Broadway (Siloam Springs)

More Info: www.thetitustask.com

Elm Springs YesterDaze Festival

Friday 5:30 p.m. chili supper; followed by a children’s pageant at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at 7:30 a.m. open car show, pancake breakfast, arts & crafts, Civil War reenactments and exhibitors, live entertainment, activities for young and old.

Date: Friday, October 7 – Saturday, October 8

Location: 289 Jayroe St (Elm Springs)

More Info: Admission is free. www.elmsprings.net

Eureka Springs Art Adventures–Artists’ Pumpkins

A display of more than 100 carved art pumpkins to inspire you as you create your own with local artist Valerie Damon. Have your face painted, enjoy monkey organ music! End with treats and a drum performance.

Date: Saturday, October 8

Location: Basin Spring Park (Eureka Springs)

More Info: Admission is free. www.EurekaSpringsArtAdventures.com

24th Annual Pea Ridge Mule Jump

Mule events range from barrel races, to boot races, to pro mule jump. Blow ups for the kids, car shows and more than 40 vendors.

Date: Saturday, October 8

Location: Pea Ridge High School (Pea Ridge)

More Info: $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 6-12, under 5 free. www.pea-ridge-ar.com

5th Annual Spanker Creek Farm Arts & Craft Fair

A unique outdoor shopping experience with great fair foods. Fun for all.

Date: Wednesday, October 12 – Sunday, October 16

Location: Spanker Creek Farm (Bentonville)

More Info: Admission is free. www.spankercreekfarm.com

57th Annual War Eagle Mill Arts & Crafts Fair

Professional craft men and women offer original, handmade work such as country decorative items, folk art, watercolor and oil paintings, pottery, stoneware, wreaths, potpourris, dried arrangements, quilts, miniatures, country clothing, wearable art, candles, homemade soaps, country furnishings, antique broken china jewelry, white oak baskets, bird houses and feeders, collectibles, and much more.

Date: Thursday, October 13 – Sunday, October 16

Location: War Eagle Mill (Rogers)

More Info: Admission is free. www.wareaglemill.com

Step Afrika

Discover the world of stepping with Step Afrika! Like a tap dance without shoes, or a band without instruments, stepping is percussive dance that uses kicks, stomps, claps and chants – all linked to African and modern dance traditions.

Date: Thursday, October 13

Time: 7pm

Location: Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center (Fayetteville)

More Info: Admission – $8-$16. www.waltonartscenter.org

3rd Annual Fayetteville Fall Craft Extravaganza

7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday around the downtown Fayetteville Square, Center & Block St. The Extravaganza continues on Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Rd. Meet professional, local juried artists and craft persons from the 4-county area. Demonstrations, plenty of paved parking, rain or shine, open air market. Restaurants nearby.

Date: Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16

Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square (Fayetteville)

More Info: Admission is free. www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org

23rd Annual Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival

The festival brings in over 4,000 runners from across the country competing in amateur, collegiate, high school and junior high races. 10K Open and 1mile Run/Walk.

Date: Saturday, October 15

Time: 7:45am

Location: UA Cross Country Course (Fayetteville)

More Info: www.chilepepperfestival.org

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

The festival is the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for Veterans treated in the VA’s national health care system. Each year, approximately 130 Veterans receive an invitation to exhibit their national first place-winning artwork or perform music, dance, dramatic or original writing selections in a gala variety show. A professional orchestra accompanies the performance.

Date: Monday, October 17 – Sunday, October 23

Time: (Oct 23) 12:30 p.m. – Art Exhibit Opens. 2:00 p.m. – Stage Show Begins.

Location: John Q. Hammons Center/Embassy Suites (Rogers)

More Info: Admission is free, but a ticket is required for the stage show. http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/caf/index.asp

Living Forest

Join Mother Nature (one of our volunteers dressed in character!) as she introduces her forest friends here at Hobbs State Park–Conservation Area. Listen to each of the animal’s stories and learn what you can do to make their lives and ours easier. A fun filled experience for the whole family!

Date: Saturday, October 22

Time: 6-9pm

Location: Hobbs State Park (Rogers)

More Info: Admission: $5. For more information, contact hobbs@arkansas.com.

Star Party

Join members of the Northwest Arkansas Astronomical Society around dusk at the Crossbow Pavilion for an in depth view of the different stars, planets, and constellations that make up the night sky. Telescopes will be available but feel free to bring your binoculars and lawn chairs. All levels of stargazers welcome, from beginner to expert. Let’s all enjoy the night sky together.

Date: Saturday, October 22

Location: Withrow Springs State Park (Huntsville)

More Info: Admission is free.

Haunted Battlefield Tour

Tour groups will be guided from the amphitheater to the front of the historic Borden House along part of the park’s walking trail. We’ll also go down into the valley where the heaviest fighting occurred during the actual Battle of Prairie Grove. Chances are good that there will be a few scary surprises along the way. Tours depart every 20 to 30 minutes. The last tour will leave at 10 p.m. Parking is available at the east Borden House entrance.

Date: Saturday, October 22

Location: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park (Prairie Grove)

More Info: Admission: $2 adults; $1 kids.

American Diabetes Association 2011 Northwest Arkansas Tour de Cure

The American Diabetes Association invites you to our 2011 Northwest Arkansas Tour de Cure. Join us in the fight to stop diabetes. The event includes a 100 mile, 50 mile, 20 mile, and family ride plus 5K walk/run followed by a health festival featuring fun, food, and entertainment.

Date: Saturday, October 22

Location: Arvest Ballpark (Springdale)

More Info: www.diabetes.org/nwatour

West Side Story

From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time.

Date: Tuesday, October 25 – Sunday, October 30

Time: 7pm

Location: Walton Arts Center (Fayetteville)

More Info: www.waltonartscenter.org

Costume Contest

Wear a costume to the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market. Judging at 11am. Children’s and adult categories, pumpkin carving, treats.

Date: Saturday, October 29

Location: Fayetteville Square (Fayetteville)

More Info: Admission is free. www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org

Renaissance and Fantasy Faire of the Ozarks

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From Jousting to juggling, magic to dramatic mayhem, songs to dancing, the Fantasy Faire has something to entertain everyone. Join us at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Merchants come from the far corners of the world to bring you the rare and unusual items of times past. Explore these fine hand-crafted wares.

Date: Saturday, October 29 – Sunday, October 30

Location: Riding arena adjacent to the Washington County Fairgrounds (Fayetteville)

More Info: Admission: $5 adults; children 12 and under free. www.renfanfaire.org

10th Annual Trick-or-Treat on the Square

Children trick-or-treat with merchants on the square from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. The inside sidewalk of the square is set up with a pet costume contest and treats.

Date: Monday, October 31

Location: Fayetteville Square (Fayetteville)

More Info: Admission is free.

Pinnacle Hills Promenade Trick ‘R Treat

From 6 to 8 p.m. enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, jugglers and store-to-store trick ‘r treating.

Date: Monday, October 31

Location: Pinnacle Hills Promenade, Rogers

Time: 6-8 p.m.