Northwest Arkansas

Festival

2024's Hottest Festival

WHEN

October 17-19, 2024

3 Days of Arts, Crafts, Music and Fun Along With A Professional BBQ Competition.

WHERE

1991 Forest Hills Dr.
Bella Vista, AR

Arts & Craft Fair

The NWA Festival Association began a new Arts & Crafts Fair in 2023 following in the footsteps of the region’s original Arts & Crafts Fair which officially retired during the Covid-19 years. NWA Festival Association 501(3)(c) is grateful to have support from Discover Bella Vista, the City of Bella Vista, and the Property Owners Association. Cooper Communities continues their support by donating the use of the site on Forest Hills Dr. Our goal is to provide a premiere experience for the vendors and the public during the Fall Festival season. The new festival format promises thousands of visitors during the 3-day multiple event weekend.

Vendor Registration
arts & crafts fest 4

Arkansas State Championship BBQ Competition

Sanctioned by the IBCA (International Barbeque Cookers Association)

We are excited to bring a State Championship BBQ competition to the Festival this year! Amateurs and IBCA teams from across the country are eligible to compete. Following IBCA Rules, teams will present 3 Meats: a full ½ Chicken, Pork Spareribs, and Brisket. There will also be a Bloody Mary, Pinto Bean, and Chief Cook’s Choice contest! The teams assemble at the site on Friday, October 18, set up, and get cooking! Judging begins at 12:00noon on Saturday, October 19. In addition to Cash Prizes for winners, IBCA teams will earn points towards the Jack Daniels/American Royal Qualifier in Memphis this May. Follow your nose or look for “BBQ Border Town” to experience a smokin’ good time!
Registration
BBQ pic 2

KIDS ZONE – New in 2024

Kids will have their own place to release all their energy like only kids can! There will be a fenced area next to the Police and EMT station with games, inflatables, and kid-centric vendors. A family member must remain with their kids while inside the Kids Zone. Volunteers will be monitoring the different features and areas, but not babysitting! Matching wristbands will be given to the child(ren) and their adult. No kid can leave the area without their matching adult wristband wearer!

Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

We are proud to announce that once again the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank will be a recipient of proceeds from our 3-day event. In Northwest Arkansas there are more than 70,000 men, women, senior citizens, and children that face hunger every day. The number of hungry people has increase in the past years, but the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank continues to fight for everyone to have access to nutritious food to eat. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributed over 14 million pounds of food and provided over 11.7 million meals in 2023 in the four-county area that they serve.

SPECIAL CONCERT EVENT on SATURDAY NIGHT

Country music recording artist, RYAN DANIEL will present his BACKROADS and BONFIRES 2024 concert beginning at 7pm in the Entertainment Tent. Ryan has won multiple national awards for writing and singing, performing across the United States and for our US Troops around the world. Ryan was raised in Arkansas and served in United States Air Force for 10 years. His newest album, Y’all Ain’t Ready for This, is fair warning!! Come join the party and free concert to close out the 2nd Annual Northwest Arkansas Festival Association’s Arts & Crafts Fair and IBCA State Championship BBQ Competition.

Bella Vista ANIMAL SHELTER

Northwest Arkansas Festival Association is excited to include the BV Animal Shelter as a beneficiary of the event proceeds in 2024. We are working on special presentations and events highlighting the care and adoption services provided daily by the volunteers from Bella Vista and NWA. Stay tuned for details!

STARTS IN . .. ...

Days
Hours
Minutes

So Many Activities

2 days full of design.

CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE.​

Our Schedule

Arts & Crafts Show

Register Now
$ 275
  • Indoor Space
  • Outdoor Space
  • Electrical Available
  • Non-Juried and no commission
Vendor Registration

IBCA State BBQ Championship

Register Now
$ 250
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  • Chief Cook’s Meeting Time is TBD
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Register

Festival Sponsors

alicia Moore state farm
cropped-SM-SEO-02-e1537377375327
Down Stream Casino Resort
RO-Logo
Simmons Foods
Jim Moray's Auto body Bella Vista
Bentonville brewery 3

See all Festival Sponsors

2024 Proceeds Benefit: