Events

Bikes Blues and BBQ Motorcyle Rally

One of the premiere events in Northwest Arkansas is Fayetteville's Bikes, Blues, and BBQ. The yearly event held at the beginning of October attracted nearly 200,000 people and approximately 75,000 motorcycles in 2004 making it the fastest growing bike event in the world. It features outdoor stages with as many as fifteen bands and is free to the public. The Discovery Channel filmed the Great Biker Buildoff during the festival. Beginning in 2005, this will be the official site for the Arkansas state barbeque championship. A dozen local venues host live entertainment as well. Whether your taste favors blues, rock, country, jazz or all of the above, you are certain to find what you are looking for. Contact the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, (479) 521-1710, to purchase offical BB and BBQ merchandise.

B.B. King playing at Bikes Blues and BBQ

Bike riders come from all walks of life; physicians, lawyers, executives of large corporations as well as thousands of bike enthusiasts from around the country, all relish the freedom of the ride. They enjoy spectacular fall scenery on winding roads of the Ozark Mountains, and the billboard-free, 38-mile stretch of Interstate Highway 540 from Fort Smith to Fayetteville highlights the beauty of the Ozarks. Boasting 63 bridges and one tunnel, this highway has been hailed one of the most scenic drives in the U.S.

The real adventurers will head north or try Scenic Byway 71 from Alma to Fayetteville with its twisting and dipping curves overlooking creeks, cliffs, and small gift shops. Riders will feel like a part of the landscape with this close up view of Ozarks. Those who have traveled this route say it is not for the faint-hearted.

And the food! Northwest Arkansas is known for it's eclectic offerings, and food here is no exception. You can experience four-star Northern Italian cuisine, award-winning Mexican food and margaritas, or a plate of Buffalo wings and a tall mug of microbrewery beer, all without ever leaving Dickson Street. The Arkansas state barbeque cookoff championship added this year at Bikes, Blues, and BBQ won't disappoint you.

Fayetteville Fine Arts Festival

The annual Fayetteville Fine Arts Festival is a tour of over twenty local artists' studios and galleries. Sponsored by The Eye Center, "An Eye on Art" studio/gallery tour takes place annually in early September and is intended to raise awareness and appreciation for fine art in progress throughout Northwest Arkansas. The tour offers a glimpse inside studios containing everything from decorative and fine jewelry to intriguing paintings in watercolor and oil. New to the tour this year are two studios at the University of Arkansas featuring the work of eight MFA candidates.

Lights of the Ozarks

Lights of the Ozarks

The brilliance and wonder of the Lights of the Ozarks display in Fayetteville is breathtaking. From Thanksgiving Eve through New Years Eve, approximately 400,000 lights transform the downtown Fayetteville square into a sparkling Winter Wonderland.

Springfest on Dickson Street

Springfest

Every April Dickson Street plays host to Fayetteville's annual rites of spring celebration with the weekend event that is a Northwest Arkansas institution--Springfest. One weekend in April Dickson Street is blocked to auto traffic to make way for vendors, food, and entertainment.

More than 50 food and vendors booths were set up last year offering arts and crafts, jewelry, pottery, clothing, candles and air brush tattoos. Dickson Street businesses schedule entertainment throughout the day to compliment the other activities going on the street. Local musicians and performers are featured on a main stage and international dance troops, belly dancer, martial arts demonstrations, and the annual bed races round out an eclectic weekend event.

Autumnfest

People of all ages are entertained throughout the day by music, crafts, activities, shopping and much more in Fayatteville's annual Autumnfest. Autumnfest is held every October on Fayetteville's Downtown Square.

Art is the main attraction at the annual festival and an abundance of other activities can be enjoyed including wall climbing, bungee jumping, and wine tasting. A main stage features local and regional bands and an auxiliary stage features performances by belly dancing troops, cloggers, bagpipers, fire baton twirlers, comedy, juggling, and award-winning authors. Kids stay entertained by water slides, mini-golf, and pony rides.