NWA events include marathons, seed planting and men coming to dinner

Northwest Arkansas will usher in the new season with Spring Break Specials at Crystal Bridges, a premier art show in Bentonville, the return of the Hogeye, and the 11th annual "Plant a Seed" Gala.

• Crystal Bridges Spring Break Specials

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art welcomes students and families to enjoy a full week of Spring Break programs March 22-30. The fun will include spring BINGO, family tours, puppet theater and much more.

Guests can start by picking up a BINGO card in the main lobby before entering the galleries. Upon completing the BINGO hunt, visitors can return their card to the lobby to claim a prize.

Other activities will include "Spring Critters" mini-sculpting, string painting, pop-up playgrounds, and several other programs designed for all ages. Family tours will also be offered.

Activities are free and no registration is required. No Tuesday (March 25) activities are offered, as the museum is closed. For more information, call 479-418-5700.

• Bentonville Art Show
Bentonville will host a premier art show featuring works by master and contemporary African-American Artists on March 22 and 23. The show will include pieces by John Biggers, Najee Dorsey, David Driskell, and many others, along with special presentations and lectures by leading art experts.

The exhibition will be open to the general public on Saturday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with discussions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The final day of the exhibition will be Sunday, March 23 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Various pieces from the exhibition will be available for sale.

The show will be held at the Walmart Visitors Center Museum, located at 105 N. Main St., in Bentonville. For more information, call 479-273-1329.

• Rogers Little Theater presents "The Man Who Came to Dinner"
The Rogers Little Theater will continue its 28th season with the production "The Man Who Came to Dinner," on March 28-30 and Apr. 3-6.

The play centers around Sheridan Whiteside, who, after dining at the Stanley Family home, slips on the doorstep and is confined for six weeks to their living room. A hilarious series of events follows, including dinners with ex-convicts, trans-Atlantic phone calls, and the arrival of strange gifts.

Thursday through Saturday shows will begin at 8 p.m., with dinner served prior to the show at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees will open at 2 p.m.

Tickets range from $10 to $48 and may be purchased online. For more information, call 479-631-8988.

• Hogeye Marathon
Thousands will descend on the Fayetteville Square to take part in the 38th annual Hogeye Marathon on March 29 and 30. Festivities will span over two days and will include numerous races, a kids marathon, a health and fitness expo, and a traditional pasta supper.

Registration and packet pick up will begin on March 29 at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville, along with the Expo, which will offer athletic apparel, gear and marathon information. Both will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Pasta Dinner, featuring noted athlete, author, and motivational speaker, Dick Beardsley, will follow from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Hogeye Kids' Marathon and Junior Run will also be held on Saturday (March 29), starting at the Kohl's store in Fayetteville. The races will kick off at 2 p.m.

The main events, including the marathon (26.2 miles), half-marathon (13.1 miles), four-person marathon relay, 5K (3.1 miles), and one-mile "fun walk," will take place on Sunday (March 30). The marathon, half-marathon, and relay will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 5k and fun walk at 7:40 a.m. Events will begin in the Fayetteville Square, with the finish line located in the Walton Arts Center Parking Lot on Dickson Street.

Participants may register online. Volunteers are also needed. For more information, visit the marathon's website.

• Plant a Seed Gala
The Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Foundation will host  its 11th annual "Plant a Seed Gala" on April 3 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center.

This year's event will feature dinner, live music, and special presentations. The general reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:30 p.m.

Gala proceeds benefit NWACC student scholarships. For ticket or sponsorship information, contact the Foundation Office at 479-619-4184 or by email at [email protected].