Community Calendar

The Washington County Fair Horse Show, an annual event that will take place all day on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center arena in Fayetteville. The event is free of charge, very family-friendly, and open to the public. Spectators may come and go as they please and stay as long as they like.

The horse show will feature local riders -- both youth and adult -- competing in Western and English riding disciplines on a variety of horse breeds. Competition intermissions will feature special riding demonstrations and a chance for youth to compete in a hobby-horse race.

There will also be information about riding lessons and riding clubs in NW Arkansas, as well as sponsors' booths featuring goods and services for the equestrian community and general public.

The Washington County Fair Horse Show organization is a not-for-profit 501(C)3 organization.

In conjunction with the opening of our fall gallery exhibition “Treasured Chests: 19th Century Furniture Made by Northwest Arkansas Craftsmen,” Historic Cane Hill welcomes Jerome Bias on August 16, 2025 for a fun day with educational activities.

Schedule:

10 am – 11 am: Woodworking Basics Demonstration
This demonstration offers kids of all ages a chance to see what tools enslaved and later freed African American craftsmen used. Attendees will get the chance to handle the tools and use them. In the process, participants will learn sawing, drilling, and planning skills.

11 am – 12 pm: Dovetails & Saws Woodworkers Tool Talk/Demonstration
This Tool Talk will be geared toward adults with questions about techniques and processes that the craftsmen used in creating the furniture that is in the exhibition. Participants will learn about different types of joinery such as mortise and tenons, dovetail joinery, and edge jointed boards.

12 pm – 1 pm: Hotdog lunch - provided by Historic Cane Hill and cooked by incoln Masons #615

1 pm – 2:30 pm: The Persistence of Hope: Seeing ourselves in the Decorative Arts Lecture
Historically the southern decorative arts have included African Americans at a limited level. The presentation will follow the journey that Jerome Bias has taken exploring southern material culture to explore the relationships that his enslaved ancestors and their descendants have with southern decorative arts and southern material culture.

Jerome Bias, of Graham, North Carolina, is a furniture maker and cultural heritage practitioner, specializing in the reproduction of early Southern furniture using period techniques. Bias currently makes reproductions of furniture from places where his family was enslaved. He is exploring the question: How did his ancestors handle the trauma of enslavement and yet maintain the ability to have hope and love?

The events are free to attend, but registration is required.

This project was funded in part by a grant from the Black History Commission of Arkansas

Thank you to Programs Sponsors:
Presenting: Paula Irwin
Presenting Media: CitiScapes Magazine & KUAF
Platinum: Ozarks ECC & Ozarks Go, Kinco Constructors, Legacy National Bank
Gold: Farm Bureau, Curtis Moore

Participants will learn all the basics to stamping in this class. We will cover rubber and photopolymer stamping, proper mounting, block cleaning, and various ink and stamping techniques. You will create three detailed cards along with envelopes to take home. From random stamping to a more advanced “rock and roll” technique, you will leave with tons of information for your future creations. Kits will include die cuts precut by the instructor so focus is on the stamping. Other projects from this instructor can be seen on her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PapercraftsbyKJ

Workshop fee includes instruction and all materials

For adults 18 or older

NEWS RELEASE – Washington County Historical Society
July 25, 2025
Contact: Dave Edmark
479-530-7241
dedmark@uark.edu

Historical Society Ice Cream Social returns Aug. 16

The 53rd annual presentation of the Washington County Historical Society Ice Cream Social will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, on the lawn of Headquarters House Museum, 118 E. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. The Northwest Arkansas Old Time Fiddlers Association will provide musical entertainment.

Tickets are $2.50 for children ages 6-12, $5 for adults and $15 for families. Tickets may be purchased from historical society board members or at the gate. Refreshments will include ice cream provided by Hiland Dairy, assorted cookies, cakes, lemonade and water. Visitors may enjoy a stroll through the historic gardens or take a tour of Headquarters House Museum. A photo booth will be provided for guests to have souvenir pictures made in period costume.

This year’s Ice Cream Social sponsors are Hiland Dairy, InTents Party Rentals and the Bank of Fayetteville. The event also receives assistance and support from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Fayetteville Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling Master Plan.

PHOTO: ice cream.jpg
Abundant ice cream was dished out at the 2024 Washington County Historical Society ice cream social.

¡Noche de Lotería: Mascotas, Comunidad y Recursos!

¿Buscas una noche divertida? ¡Trae a tus amigos y familiares a la Noche de Lotería para disfrutar de una noche divertida llena de juegos, risas y amigos peludos! Juega unas rondas de Lotería para tener la oportunidad de ganar grandes premios, conoce adorables mascotas en adopción y descubre todas las cosas increíbles que ofrecemos para los amantes de las mascotas en la comunidad.

Ya sea que vengas a jugar, convivir con mascotas adorables o descubrir oportunidades para ser voluntario, hogar temporal, adoptar o acceder a recursos para dueños de mascotas, ¡hay algo para todos! Será una noche llena de diversión que no te querrás perder.

🎟️ Boletos: Este evento es GRATIS, pero el espacio es limitado, así que asegúrate de reservar tu lugar con anticipación. Por favor, registra a cada miembro de tu grupo que planea asistir. Los invitados registrados deben registrarse dentro de los 15 minutos después de la hora de inicio, o tus lugares pueden no estar garantizados. Si necesitas cancelar tu registro, envía un correo electrónico a eventsnwa@bestfriends.org

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Looking for a fun night out? Bring your friends and family to Lotería Night for an evening full of games, laughter, and furry friends! Play a few rounds of Lotería (Mexican bingo) for the chance to win exciting prizes, meet adorable adoptable pets, and explore all the amazing things we offer for pet lovers in the community.

Whether you’re here to play games, meet adorable animals, or discover opportunities to volunteer, foster, adopt, or access pet owner resources, there’s something for everyone. It’s a fun-filled evening you won’t want to miss!

🎟️ Important Registration Information: This event is FREE, but space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot in advance. Please register every member of your party that plans to come. Registered guests must check in within 15 minutes of start time, or your spots may not be guaranteed. If you need to cancel or change your registration, please email eventsnwa@bestfriends.org.

Have you been looking for a group to dance or learn to dance with that is centered on safety, connection, and healing? The NWA Center for Sexual Assault and Cece Marie Choreography are hosting free dance workshops beginning this summer. This is a healing-centered dance experience where survivors reclaim safety, creativity, and connection through movement and shared story. You deserve to feel safe in your body.

This workshop is open to adult survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and / or human trafficking.

Sign up here: https://www.nwasexualassault.org/art-workshops-for-survivors

Not sure if you're eligible? Please talk to a member of our friendly team. Call 479-347-2304, email info@nwasexualassault.org, or visit the NWA Center for Sexual Assault website: nwasexualassault.org

Because you are not alone.

Tim will lead participants on the third Sunday foraging hikes and cooking workshops around the Ozark Folkways property. As the seasons change so will the available plants and how they are prepared. These zero-waste events will cover plant ID, Harvest and Reseeding, and Food Preparation.

Connecting Communities, Riding Together

At Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, we believe that culture and community begin with connection, and our monthly Chai Time gatherings are the perfect space to build those connections.

Since January 2022, Chai Time has proven to be one of our most popular events. Informative, fun, and full of insights and laughter, it is now a must-do on social calendars throughout NWA.

This time, we’re taking Chai Time outdoors for a fun afternoon of learning, sustainability, and community connection. Join us in discovering all the ways Bentonville is moving toward a greener future. We’re partnering with the City of Bentonville, Gnargo Bikes, and Ozark Regional Transit to discover the latest biking paths, walkable routes, public transport, and other eco-friendly mobility options available in Bentonville.

Bring your whole family and enjoy:

1. The chance to try out e-bikes from Gnargo Bikes
2. Insights from Ozark Regional Transit on new fixed-route options that serve all community members, including those with different mobility needs
3. Learn about the latest E-Bike Rebate Voucher Program from Josh Stacey, Deputy Director of Bentonville Parks & Recreation.
4. Enjoy a FREE picnic in the park
5. Meet others in your community

You can also share your story. Tell us how you bike in Bentonville, use public transit, or move around the city. A limited number of gift cards will be given to those who participate!

“Connecting Communities, Riding Together” reminds us that the journey matters more than the destination, especially as we head toward a greener, more connected future.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Venue: Citizens Park | 1101 SW Citizens Cir, Bentonville

This event is free, and we’d love for you to register to let us know you’re coming.

For more information, please write to info@ra-veculturalfoundation.org

Come ride, learn, and connect with us!

Join Best Friends Animal Society at Natural State Beer Company in Rogers for an evening of creativity, craft beer, and community! At Barks, Brushes & Brews, you'll enjoy a fun, pet-themed painting experience while sipping your favorite Natural State brews — all in support of local pets in need.

No painting experience? No problem! This event is designed to be a fun way to explore your artistic ability all in the name of adoptable dogs!

Location: Natural State Beer Company

Address: 5214 Village Pkwy Suite 140, Rogers, AR 72758

Attendees can share a recipe of their own and try out some new, delicious plant-based dishes at this free, family-friendly event.

*If your dish contains, no wheat or gluten, (or other gluten containing grains or sauces), please tag it as “gluten-free.”——————————————————————————————————

What is a Plant-Based Dish?

A plant-based diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. These foods are good sources of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. They are also naturally lower in calories than foods made from animals.

Colorful plant foods are also good sources of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are naturally present in plant foods, and they can help to protect our body’s cells from damage by cancer-causing agents. They also help support overall health.