In partnership with

Date: September 17th, 2025

Happy Wednesday, Northwest Arkansas! 🎉

TOGETHER WITH H.G.D. Apparel Co. & 1440 Media

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Hey y'all, another Wednesday in the Ozarks—feels like the perfect time to catch up on what's making our neck of the woods even better, with the fall season finally showing up. Crystal Bridges is knocking it out of the park with this new sports and art exhibit that's got me itching to head over to Bentonville for a look. Throw in fairground fun, smart tech wins from the U of A, and some solid business news, and it's a great reminder of how connected we all are here.

In today’s NWA Today:

🚨 Top Story: Athletic Artistry Unleashed: Crystal Bridges' Game-Changing Exhibit!
🌟 NWA Digest: Community Bites
🏪 Local Business: NWA’s Business Buzz
📅 Upcoming Events: Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville
☀️ Weather: NWA Forecast
🏈 Sports: Razorback Update
🎵 Live Music and Entertainment

Daily NWA Trivia: What Eureka Springs landmark, dubbed "The Ozarks' Strangest Dwelling," features walls embedded with rocks from around the world collected by its builder Elise Quigley? (Answer at the end of the newsletter)

Let’s dive in!

— Andrew E

New Crystal Bridges' Game-Changing Sports Exhibit!

Sponsored by H.G.D. Apparel Co.

Bentonville's Crystal Bridges Museum is championing the fusion of athletics and artistry in the thrilling new exhibit "Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture," open now through January 26! This dynamic display explores how sports inspire creativity and community, featuring diverse artworks like paintings, sculptures, quilts from basketball jerseys, and artifacts such as World Cup balls and athletic shoes. Organized into five thematic chapters, it highlights triumphs like Flo-Jo's record-breaking sprint and local gems including a photo of Razorback Stadium and bicycles symbolizing NWA's cycling scene. With about a third of the artists being former pros, the exhibit captures the exhilaration of achievement while nodding to the dedication involved. Admission is affordable at $15, free for members, youth, veterans, and SNAP participants. The free grand opening on September 13 included a bike ride, fishing demos, and a meet-and-greet with Razorback legend Sidney Moncrief, making it a winning family adventure that boosts Bentonville's reputation as an innovation and recreation hotspot.

Benton County Fair Celebrates 121 Years

The 121st Benton County Fair enchants families with thrilling rides, captivating exhibits, and cherished local customs, honoring our agricultural legacy and fostering neighborly connections. This enduring Bentonville staple creates laughter and lasting bonds, blending NWA's countryside charm with optimistic progress.

U of A AI Grant Sparks Future Advances

Fayetteville's University of Arkansas sees associate professor Ngan Le honored with an NSF CAREER award to pioneer reliable AI for everyday applications. This accolade elevates our local innovation hub, paving the way for eco-friendly tech that enriches education and daily life in NWA.

Fayetteville's New Downtown Takes Shape

Fayetteville introduces Reimagine Downtown, refreshing the 2004 blueprint through 2026 by gathering community views on residences, commerce, and arts venues. Kicking off with a Square booth, plus polls and forums, it harmonizes history with new prospects for inclusive vibrancy in our NWA nucleus.

Tyson Foods Cuts Ingredients for Healthier Food

From Springdale, Tyson Foods leads with a healthy pivot, phasing out high-fructose corn syrup in U.S. brands by year-end to meet calls for pure eats. This step uplifts family dinners with better choices, sustaining jobs and motivating wellness-focused firms, thrilling folks hunting quality kid meals.

NWA Championship Provides Rogers Businesses with Boost

Rogers buzzes as the NWA Championship golf event draws crowds, surging business at haunts like IV Nutrition, Wright’s BBQ, and Heroes Coffee with hydration boosts and themed feasts. Generating $14 million in uplift, it crafts merry family escapes and bolsters local trade ties.

Wednesday, September 17

Little Sprouts at BGO (Free) * Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM A weekly botanically-themed program for children aged 2 to 5, featuring stories, songs, and nature crafts.

Six Twelve Game Night (Free) * Six Twelve, Fayetteville | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM A free, game-packed evening hosted every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, open to everyone.

Charity Bingo Night ($) * Fayetteville | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Weekly bingo night where all proceeds from card sales ($1 per card) benefit a different local non-profit each month.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night (Free) * Smokin' Oak, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Free-to-play weekly trivia with prizes for top teams and bonus questions.

Thursday, September 18

Fayetteville Farmers Market (Free) * Downtown Fayetteville Square, Fayetteville | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM Mid-week farmers market offering seasonal vegetables, fruits, baked goods, and crafts.

Unilever Self-Care Soirée ($) * Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM A women-focused evening of self-care, beauty, and wellness with product giveaways and tips, benefiting the NWA Women's Shelter.

Friday, September 19

Pagnozzi Parker Charity Golf Tournament ($) * Paradise Valley Athletic Club, Fayetteville | All Day Annual golf tournament with morning and afternoon flights to raise funds for Pagnozzi Parker Charities.

Pagnozzi Parker Ultimate Tailgate & Auction ($) * JJ's Live, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM A "Country Club Chic" themed tailgate with dinner, drinks, and auctions, benefiting Pagnozzi Parker Charities.

Plein Air Painting in the Ramble ($) * Lower Ramble, Fayetteville | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM An outdoor nature painting class hosted by the Community Creative Center in the scenic Ramble park area.

The Master Bike Builders Show (Free) * Paper Airplane Steel Sculpture Park, Bentonville | All Day A public exhibition of custom handmade bicycles, allowing enthusiasts to meet and interact with the builders. Runs through September 21.

121st Benton County Fair ($) * Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville | All Day A week-long traditional county fair with amusement rides, livestock shows, exhibits, fair food, and games. Runs through September 27.

☀️ Weather: NWA Forecast

  • Wednesday, September 17: 87°/64° | ⛈️ | 55% | S 7 mph

  • Thursday, September 18: 85°/63° | 🌤️ | 30% | SW 6 mph

  • Friday, September 19: 84°/62° | ☀️ | 10% | NW 5 mph

Arkansas Razorbacks Update: Hogs Head to Tiger Territory

The Razorbacks gear up for a showdown at Memphis this Saturday, September 20, at 11 a.m. CT on ABC, aiming to rebound with grit against a 3-0 Tigers squad fresh off a win at Troy. Coach Sam Pittman emphasizes containing Memphis' exotic 3-3-5 defense and read-option run game, spotlighting QB Taylen Green's versatility and a motivated unit hungry for victory. This non-conference clash offers a chance to showcase resilience and build momentum, with Arkansas favored to leverage their talent in a lively Liberty Bowl atmosphere.

Wednesday, September 17

Laura Caroline (Free) * Six-Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar, Fayetteville | 6:00 PM Enjoy the heartfelt songs of local singer-songwriter Laura Caroline in a cozy and attentive listening environment.

September Songwriters in the Round ($) * Meteor Guitar Gallery, Bentonville | 6:00 PM An evening dedicated to the craft of songwriting, featuring intimate performances from Taylor Smith, Korey McKelvey, Jeff Kearney, and Lacy Hampton.

Live Band Karaoke (Free) * The Piano Bar, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM Karaoke with live band backing.

Nicole McClelland (Free) * The Piano Bar, Fayetteville | 8:00 PM Dueling pianos performance.

Music To Life Presents: Making Music, Making Change Community Showcase ($) * Prairie Street Live, Fayetteville | 8:30 PM Community showcase highlighting music as a tool for community building.

Karaoke Dance Party Hosted by Chris Kuri (Free) * Tin Roof, Fayetteville | 9:00 PM Karaoke dance party.

Oak Street Live at Kingfish (Free) * Kingfish, Fayetteville | 9:00 PM Special ARK MUSIC WEEK edition showcasing great local and regional talent.

Thursday, September 18

Music Cities Convention Closing Reception ($) * George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville | 5:30 PM Convention finale with live music, open to the community.

Erin Enderlin ($) * George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM Country music performance.

Jam Etiquette with Jonathan DerGazarian (Free) * Prairie Street Live, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM Community jam session celebrating the collaborative spirit of ARK MUSIC WEEK.

Awayne Music (Free) * Six-Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM Acoustic set from local artist Awayne Music.

Carolina Mendoza (Free) * Kingfish, Fayetteville | 8:00 PM Intimate performance from local singer-songwriter Carolina Mendoza.

Nicole McClelland (Free) * The Piano Bar, Fayetteville | 8:00 PM Dueling pianos performance.

Los Roscoes (Free) * Gravel Bar at Wanderoo Lodge, Eureka Springs | 5:00 PM Live local music performance.

Friday, September 19

Darren Ray Memorial Happy Hour Concert ($) * George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville | 6:00 PM Memorial concert performance.

Webster Brown (Free) * Six-Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar, Fayetteville | 7:00 PM Live local music performance.

Machine Gun Symphony ($) * Railyard Live at Butterfield Stage, Rogers | 7:00 PM High-octane rock performance as part of free concert series.

March to August (Free) * Levi's Gastrolounge & Bar, Rogers | 7:00 PM Folk and Americana performance.

Chris Arcana ($) * Meteor Guitar Gallery, Bentonville | 8:30 PM Local rocker Chris Arcana brings his dynamic live show.

Mike Ryan w/ Cam Allen ($) * George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville | 9:00 PM Texas Country/Red Dirt star Mike Ryan with opener Cam Allen.

Red McAdam & Charlie P. Jones (Free) * Kingfish, Fayetteville | 9:00 PM Double dose of authentic country and folk music on the patio.

Rachel B & Table for Three (Free) * Sassafras Springs Vineyard, Springdale | 6:00 PM Live local music performance.

Michael Kelly (Free) * Keels Creek Winery, Eureka Springs | 6:00 PM Live local music performance.

Nicole McClelland (Free) * The Piano Bar, Fayetteville | 8:00 PM Dueling pianos performance.

Leon Bridges w/ Charley Crockett ($) * Walmart AMP, Rogers | 5:00 PM A perfect pairing of modern soul and authentic Americana from two of Texas's most celebrated contemporary artists.

West Street Live: The 1 Oz. Jig & Friends ($) * Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville | 7:30 PM Live local music showcase.

NWA TRIVIA ANSWER:

Quigley’s Castle.

Check out our website for more helpful NWA Tips - www.nwatoday.com 

💬 Your Turn!

Got a favorite spot in town or an event we missed? Email us at [email protected]—this is our newsletter!

Thanks!
Welcome to NWA Today! Share it: Facebook | Instagram
Unsubscribe | Update Preferences
© 2025 NWA Today

Keep Reading

No posts found