The Friday 5: Fun things to do this weekend in Northwest Arkansas

Happy Mother’s Day weekend, mamas!

If you want to get out and about in Northwest Arkansas, we’ve got some ideas for what to do around town this weekend, May 6-8:

1. First Fridays, Film Fest, TONIGHT (Friday, May 6) {cost varies}: The Bentonville Square is being transformed into Film Fest with live music & entertainment, food options and family-friendly activities. The event is from 11 a.m. today to 8 p.m. tonight. Film Fest is in conjunction with the Bentonville Film Festival, which also has all kinds of events going on this weekend. Click here to see the BFF schedule.

Mainstage Line-up for First Fridays:
Britt and Andy | 4:30 – 5pm
Swear and Shake | 5:20 – 6:30pm
Muddy Magnolias | 6:45 – 8pm

First Friday Family Films: On Friday evening BFF will partner with First Friday to showcase family films from Sony Pictures, KraftHeinz, ConAgra, Mars, Inc. and Mattel. One of the films being featured will be Geena Davis’ beloved film ‘Stuart Little ’ shown at the First Baptist Church Bentonville.

Ghostbusters: BFF will also feature the original ‘Ghostbusters’ to be shown outside of the 21 C Hotel. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and be ready to enjoy some family fun.

Click here for more information about the Film Fest!

2. Touch a Truck, Saturday. (Rain date: Saturday, June 4th) {Tickets are $5 each or $20 per family, max 5 guests per family ticket. Guests can purchase their tickets online soon, or at the event.} This year’s Touch-a-Truck will once again feature crowd favorites – dozens of vehicles that kids (and kids-at-heart) can explore.

Vehicles you can expect to see include construction equipment, safety and transportation vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and much more. There will also be special appearances and activities including mascots, costumed characters, fingernail painters, science demonstrations and building projects, just to name a few.

In addition to equipment, vehicles, and entertainment, there will be concessions available offering lunch, refreshments, ice cream and all the tasty treats you’d expect to find at a family-fun event.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pinnacle Promenade, Rogers.

Click here for more Touch-a-Truck info!

3. Mountain Bike Skills Clinic, Saturday {Free} Provided by Arkansas NICA and Fayetteville Parks and Recreation. Instruction will be focused on pre-ride checks, braking, cornering, body positioning, and climbing. Open to all ages (but aimed at getting children interested in the sport of mountain biking).

This event is FREE and open to the public and will be from 9-11 a.m., followed by a group ride. It will be at Lake Fayetteville, North Shore Pavilion, at the new Skills Park.

Click here for more information.

4. Dogwood Walk, Saturday, Gulley Park. {$20 for Humane Society members and $25 for non-members. Includes a t-shirt and lunch} 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your dogs out for the Dogwood Walk to raise awareness for the humane treatment of animals. There will be a photo booth, face painting and other fun happenings. Even if you don’t bring a dog, it would be fun to watch! 🙂

You can enter to win a variety of fun contests with your dog, including:

• Best-dressed dog
• Best owner/dog look-alike pair
• Best dog trick

Click here to read all about the Dogwood Walk event and how to register!

5. Free Comic Book Day, Saturday {free}. The Fayetteville Public Library and the Bentonville Public Library will each have events on Saturday. Here’s the schedule:

Fayetteville Public Library, 10:30 a.m. to noon: Enjoy free comics, themed crafts for different ages, superhero face painting, and become a superhero in FPL’s own standup cut out. Children will be able to decorate their own superhero mask to compliment their painted faces and teens can decorate themed book bags to celebrate the day. Free cotton candy to be provided by Arkansas Dentistry and Braces. This event is free and open to all ages. Art supplies and comics will be provided.

Bentonville Public Library, all day: BPL is celebrating 15 years of Free Comic Book Day with its 4th Annual Free Comic Book Day event in partnership with Children’s Book Week and Bentonville Film Festival. Starting with the free comics, BPL will also have a superhero training camp for children, a cosplay accessory station for teens, illustrator workshops for teens and adults, and more.

6. There are also a variety of Arts and Crafts Shows this weekend! CLICK HERE to find links to all the area’s craft festivals this weekend in our nwaMotherlode Calendar of Events.