I’m pretty sure it broke the freezing mark last night in Northwest Arkansas.  So it seems that it’s that time of year again.  Time to take the kiddies to see St. Nick.  Time to let them sit on his furry red lap and whisper what they want for Christmas.  Santa will be at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall starting Saturday, November 21st!  Don’t forget to go see him…

Santa at the Promenade

November 21st thru Christmas.

Times:

Monday – Saturday 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, and 6pm-8pm

Sunday 12pm-3pm, and 3:3-pm-6pm

Get a santa photo coupon and Holiday Drawing for your child.

My family went last year and santa is a the real McCoy.  This is actually him in the picture.  That’s his REAL beard.  He and Mrs. Claus are checking into a local hotel today (I know a guy…) to get settled in before talking to good little boys and girls all over Northwest Arkansas at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall starting November 21st.  That’s the same day Lights of the Ozarks begins… Here come the Holidays!

If you want to know more just let me know

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Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville is an annual winterfest light extravaganza where 450,000 lights adorn Fayetteville’s downtown square.  Bring some holiday cheer, bundle up, get a thermos of hot cocoa, and take your family to see the best light show in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season.

Lights of the Ozarks 2009

When is it?

Kicks off on Saturday, November 21st at 6:00pm with the “Keep Fayetteville Festive” Parade and runs through the holidays.  Go here for a bit more information on lighting night.

What is there to do?

Besides the obvious, “look at the lights…” there will be farmer’s market vendors, caramel apples, kettle corn, and more before the parade.  Santa will be available for pictures on parade night and select nights in the following weeks.  Every other night there are horse drawn carriage rides and carrolls by local choirs.

Choirs on the Square dates:

• December 1st
  • 5:00pm  -  Sharon Long & Martha Robinson
  • 5:30 pm  -  Prairie Grove High School
  • 6:00pm  -  Harmony of Faith
  • 6:30pm  -  Testify
• December 3rd
  • 6:00pm  -  Oakdale Junior High School
  • 6:30pm  -  Ozark Girls Chorus
  • 7:00pm  -  First Baptist Rogers Christian School
• December 4th
  • 6:00pm  -  After School Youth Orchestra
  • 6:30pm  -  Springdale State Choir
  • 7:00pm  -  Amazing Grace Singers
  • 7:30pm  -  Combs Street Church of Christ
• December 5th
  • 5:30pm  -  JO Kelly Middle School
  • 6:00pm  -  ArkAppella Show Chorus

That’s all for now… there may be more additions so come back or subscribe to the latest updates.  Come out and support our local choirs and enjoy some great Christmas music!

The pet parade takes place on December 4th.  Santa will make a return for the pet parade if you missed him on the 21st of November!

If you would like to know more about the Lights of the Ozarks event, you can always give me a call directly (if you are pressed for time) at (479) 633-7044 or contact me by email, facebook, or twitter…

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There’s a lot going on this year at the 10th Annual Bikes Blues and BBQ Motorcycle Rally.  More Bikes, more music, and more BBQ than ever before!  Check out this list of what’s happening this year from September 23rd-26th at BBB on Dickson Street in Fayetteville…

Bikes Blues and BBQ Turns 10!

With BBB turning 10 this year they’ve pulled out all the stops at one of the biggest motorcycle rallies in the country.  Beginning as a small rally in 2000, BBB has turned into the largest motorcycle rally in the united states benefiting local charities.  2008 saw over 400,000 people in attendance from all 50 states and dozens of countries!

10th Annual BBB at a glance…

• See over 100,000 Bikes!
• Main stage entertainment is completely FREE during the day.  AMP is hosting major acts on Thursday and Friday night, the 24th and 25th.
• Most major motorcycle companies will be on the premises providing demo rides along with many parts and apparel vendors.
• BBB is hosting Kansas City Barbeque Society’s 2009 Great American BBQ Tour events and crowning the new Arkansas State BBQ champions.

It’s all about the Bikes…

With over 100,000 bikes estimated to be in attendance this year, it’s really all about the bikes.  Check out some of the BBB Great Rides Maps to enjoy some stellar riding around Northwest Arkansas and the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

There’s the super popular Battle of the Bikes where you can see the baddest of the bad from a tricked out trike to a radical custom chopper.

You can even ride some of the newest bikes on the market.  Check out Demo Rides on the BBB main site.

If your ride breaks down, there’s even a good list of bike maintenance locations in and around the event.

It’s all about the Blues…

This year’s big artists and bands include Big’uns, Little Hoojin, Oreo Blue, Steve Pryor, The Nace Brothers, Big Bad Bubba, Full House, and Joe Giles and his Home Wrecker Band.  Daytime music is completely free on the main and southern stages.

AMP (Arkansas Music Pavillion) will host Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet on Thursday night with The Marshall Tucker Band and Oreo Experience on Friday night.  Gates open at 5pm and concerts start between 7:30 and 8:00pm.  Admission is $10.00 per night.  Remember that a portion of all event proceeds go to local charities and the future support of BBB.

It’s all about the BBQ…

• KCBS Great American BBQ Tour recipe demonstrations, sampling, entertainment, demonstrations, even an Iron Chef competition!
• Public tasting will be help Friday Night in the Baum Stadium East Parking Lot.
• Saturday morning, judging starts… Saturday afternoon best entries recognized with cash and prizes!

It’s actually all about charity…

BBB is a bike rally with a purpose.  Since 2000, BBB has raised over $500,000 for local charities.  To learn about each charity involved, check out the Charities page of their main website.

Keep that in mind when you head out to BBB this week to support an amazing local event that is good for NWA’s economy as well as our culture.

Give me a yell if you need more information on the rally or if you just happen to be out ‘biking for some new real estate’ at (479) 633-7044.

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There’s always a lot going on in Northwest Arkansas.  Live Music, Sports, Fundraisers… there’s something for everyone.  Check out this week’s list of things to do in Northwest Arkansas for the second week of September, 2009.

This week in Northwest Arkansas

Music

Benjamin Del Shreve, Randall Shreve, Rockers LP’s & Lions of Hazelwood will all perform live at George’s on September 11th beginning at 9pm.

Legendary country singer Travis Tritt will perform live at the Walton Arts Center parking lot in Fayetteville on September 11th at 8 pm.

Cross Canadian Ragweed & Lucero will perform live at the AMP on September 12th.

George’s will host the Parrot Heads Jimmy Buffet Tribute Party & The Cross Canadian Ragweed After Party on September 12th.

P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship

The 2009 P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship will take place September 7th – 13th at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers. This Three-day, 54-hole stroke competition is an Official LPGA Tour event featuring 144 of the top female golfers in the world. Rain or shine… come out and have a good time.

NWA Naturals Golf Tournament

The 2009 NWA Naturals Golf Tournament will be held September 12th at Stonebridge Meadows in Fayetteville.

This is an 18 Hole, 2 Man Scramble, with a Shot-Gun Start at 8:30 am. There is a $150 Entry Fee ($75 per golfer) and includes lunch, range balls, green fees and cart. Prizes awarded for Closest to Pin & Longest Drive!

20th Anniversary Polo in the Ozarks

Polo In the Ozarks takes place annually on the first or second Saturday of early September. The event is generously hosted by Dr. Brian and Mrs. Donna Buell, at their farm on Hwy 45 East, near Goshen, AR. Featuring the area’s only polo match, Polo In The Ozarks also includes tailgate parties, dinner and dancing under the stars, a children’s tent, and both live and silent auctions.

Dickson Street Octoberfest Family Festival

The Dickson Street Oktoberfest Family Festival will be held September 11th & 12th in the Walton Arts Center Parking Lot in Fayetteville. Check out the schedule of events.

While we at EXIT Pro Realty would love to take credit for putting all this information together every week, we must give credit where credit is due.  Check out NWAeventsonline.com to find out about events in Northwest Arkansas.  If you would like to have an event listed you can visit their website and submit your event here.

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There’s always a lot going on in Northwest Arkansas.  Live Music, Sports, Fundraisers… there’s something for everyone.  Check out this week’s list of things to do in Northwest Arkansas for the second week of August, 2009.

This week in Northwest Arkansas

Music

Boom Kinetic will perform Live at 7pm at Party on the Patio Thursday night at Powerhouse in Fayetteville.

The Pontiac Coffee House in Springdale will feature Live Bluegrass Music Friday, August 14th and Saturday August 15th.

Free performance in Basin Spring Park located in Historic Downtown Eureka Springs August 14th-16th.

Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival

The Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival is a three day music and camping event featuring exciting entertainment, delicious food, workshops, arts and crafts, and much more.   The festival is held at Mulberry Mountain, a 650 acre lodging and event resort located in the heart of the Arkansas Ozark Mountains.  The 2009 festival is guaranteed to be better than ever!  It will be held August 13th – 15th.  Check out Mulberry Mountain Music’s Website.

38th Annual Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Festival

The 38th Annual Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Festival will take place August 13th – 15th, 4 miles north of Harrison on Hwy 65.   This event will feature Gospel Bluegrass, Traditional Bluegrass, and Modern Bluegrass music nightly.  Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music!

“I Heart John Ray” Fundraiser

There will be a fundraiser to help fund the medical expenses John Ray on August 13th at 7pm.  John is well known in the downtown Fayetteville community, most recognizably as the sweet, friendly guy behind the counter at Cheap Thrills.  He had open heart surgery on July 1st with no medical insurance, and now has begun the long recovery process.

Please come join us at Dickson St. Theater on Thursday, August 13th at 7pm. We will have live music by Lloyd Marley, Matt Buell and A Good Fight, food from Boar’s Nest BBQ, and a silent auction with great items from local businesses!   Thank you for doing your part to help this great cause!!  Hope to see you there!

NWA Naturals Baseball

The NWA Naturals will take on the Midland Rockhounds in a home series August 12th – 14th.

• August 12th – 7pm
• August 13th – 7pm
• August 14th – 7pm

The NWA Naturals will take on the Frisco Rough Riders August 15th – 17th.

• August 15th – 7 pm
• August 16th – 2:30 pm
• August 17th – 7 pm

The Naturals play at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

Relay for Life of Benton County/Rogers

The Relay for Life of Benton County/Rogers will be held August 14th at the Rogers Activity Center.

For more information about the Relay for Life of Benton County/Rogers visit the relay for life website.

Razorback Football Kickoff Luncheon

The Arkansas Razorback Football Kickoff Luncheon will be held August 14th beginning at noon at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale.  This is a general admission event.  Tickets are $25 for individuals and $300 for a table of 8.

While we at EXIT Pro Realty would love to take credit for putting all this information together every week, we must give credit where credit is due.  Check out NWAeventsonline.com to find out about events in Northwest Arkansas.  If you would like to have an event listed you can visit their website and submit your event here.

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My family went to Roaring River State Park in Missouri a couple of weeks back.  It’s one of the most picturesque and fun state parks I have been to in ages… and, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from all of us in Northwest Arkansas.

Where is Roaring River?

Roaring River State Park in Missouri is about 45 minutes northeast of NWA in southern Missouri between Cassville and Eagle Rock.

The address is 12716 Farm Road 229
Cassville, MO 65625

Here’s a map.

See.  It’s close by.  Depending on where you live in Northwest Arkansas it’s anywhere between 20 minutes and 1:15 minutes to get to the hatchery area.

What is there to do at Roaring River?

Let’s see.  On our family outing we:

• Had a picnic by the river
• Played on the playground
• Swam (sort of) in the River
• Caught craw dads.
• Walked around the hatchery

Families with older children (mine’s just 1) have even more options:

• Camp on one of 187 sites
• Stay at one of 26 cabins
• Stay at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference center (for those who can’t rough it)
• Trout and Fly-fish
• Hike through the nearly 4,100 acres of rolling Missouri forest
• There’s even a pool

So, if you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary and you’d like to go north instead of South to Devil’s Den, try out Roaring River State Park in Missouri.  It’s a great trip on a budget and it doesn’t feel like you’re in Northwest Arkansas at all.

Please let me know of any fun times you’ve had at Roaring River.  I also would love any suggestions you have about fun things to do in and around Northwest Arkansas.

P.S – That’s my 1 year old in the photo.  Pretty handsome huh?  My wife has many more of her photos on display at MonicaRobertsPhotography.com.

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NOTICE: This article is NOT for any other year than 2009. Some of the information below is correct but I know that the Rogers Fireworks Show will be held on the 4th this year instead of the 3rd. Please review the comments at the end of this Fourth of July article to get the most up-to-date information or to post corrections.  Thanks everyone!  Have a safe and happy 4th in Northwest Arkansas!

There are many events surrounding the 4th of July this year.  Here is a list of some of the most popular 4th of July fireworks displays and events that you and your family can enjoy this Independence Day in Northwest Arkansas…

4th of July Fireworks Displays and Events in Northwest Arkansas

Fireworks Displays at Beaver Lake

• July 4th – Free Fireworks display at dusk at “Ugly John’s Rocky Branch Marina”  call (479) 925-1300 for more information
• July 4th – The eighth Annual Bentris Trails End Resort Show Free Fireworks display at dusk…just south of Market 8, only viewable from boats due to water levels.  Call (479) 359-3912 for details.
• July 4th – Lost Bridge Village Community Association Free Fireworks display at 9:15pm located at 11636 Dogwood Drive, Garfield.  Call (479) 359-3204 for more infomation.

Fireworks Displays in Bella Vista

• July 3rd – Free Fireworks at dusk  or just after 9pm on Lake Loch Lomond in western Bella Vista.  Call (479) 855-8000 for more information or visit the Bella Vista POA website.  The Shrimpman’s Yacht Club will host a July 3rd Extravaganza, which includes dinner, live music, and dancing as well as a great view of the fireworks show.  Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling (479) 855-8110.

Fireworks Display in Bentonville

• June 28th – Celebrate America Independence day Extravaganza with military flyover, free food, and lots more.  Starts at 7:00 pm
• July 4th – Bentonville Square Kids 4th of July Parade Around the Square, 10:00 am during the farmer’s market.
• July 4th – Memorial Park just after dark

Fireworks Displays in Fayetteville/Springdale Fourth at the Field

• July 1-4th – Rodeo of the Ozarks – Gates open at 6pm nightly.  Fireworks on July 4th.
• July 3rd - Arvest Ballpark – Arkansas Philharmonic and Fireworks Display.  Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the gate.
• July 4th – Arvest Ballpark –  The Largest Fireworks Display in Northwest Arkansas, live bands, charity midway, lots of inflatables and family fun!  Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for kids.

Fireworks Displays in Rogers

• Friday, July 3rd – Fireworks at Veteran’s Park.  For details call (479) 621-1117.

If you have an Independence Day Event that you would like me to add or promote…please let me know or make a comment below.  Everyone have a safe and happy 4th of July in 2009!

If you are planning on shooting off some fireworks with your family, you may want to take a look at 8 Fireworks Safety Tips for This 4th of July…

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Northwest Arkansas, It’s that time of year when burgers are on the grill, neighbors are in the yard, and the kids get ready for the all important 4th of July pastime, fireworks. I figured it was about time to brush up on fireworks safety. You never can be too careful, especially with little ones running around. So kick back, put the grill on low, and read something that might help you keep your fingers and your eyebrows (or an eye). Enjoy these fireworks safety tips for the 4th of July…

Most of the tips below are according to the National Council on Fireworks Safety. Remember that kids really shouldn’t play with or shoot fireworks. If you give a kid a sparkler, know that they burn at 1800 degrees, hot enough to melt gold.  Keep sparklers away from the face, clothing, and hair.  Some of the best products to let children feel involved are “snappers” which are affordable and save.

• Make sure to buy only legal fireworks – those are the ones with the manufacturers label on them.
• Never try to make your own fireworks.  The process is dangerous and may blow up in your face (literally).
• Stay away from others lighting or using fireworks – some types, bottlerockets, chasers, etc., can backfire or go the opposite direction.
• Light one firework at a time.  Never try to relight a dud.
• Point fireworks away from homes.   If possible set them off in a mown field away from homes, trees, brush, or other flammable substances.  It is estimated that some 60,000 responses are made each year to firework related fires.  Soak fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away.
• Never hold fireworks or firecrackers in your hand.
• Never throw or point fireworks at someone.
• Lastly, always pick up the fireworks you shoot.  A neighborhood has a tough enough time keeping itself clean without all the mess fireworks make.

Here is a good video on Fireworks safety…

Here’s one on the Dangers of Consumer Fireworks (kind of disturbing actually)

Happy Fourth Everyone.

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If you want to find something in Northwest Arkansas the NWA Grapevine is the place to go. You can find information about local events, schools, churches, what is for sale, and businesses. You can even find coupons, recipes, and gas prices around the country!

Local Interests – When and Where You Need Them

Right now on the NWA Grapevine you can find

• Times to watch “Up” in 3D at Malco’s Pinnacle Hills Theater
• 1997 Harley Davidson FXDLR Dyna Low Rider for $8700
• Information on the 3rd Annual Festival of the Ozarks in Pea Ridge (Sat 6/13/09)
• And the website for Cooper Elementary School in Bella Vista

And Its Free

You can join the NWA Grapevine for free to post your own classifieds, events, and local information. What better source to get your information out there than to use a local site determined to get local information to local people? And I can tell you from talking with Rustin, the owner, that he is committed to building this resource to be the one-stop shop for Northwest Arkansas. So let’s all get on board and get our local events, churches, schools, activities, and groups on the Grapevine.

Sign Up Now For Free!

Click here to sign up now. It is totally free, what are you waiting for?

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