Bikes, Blues & BBQ, The Big Event, and Tinkerfest comes to NWA

Fall is on its way which means Bikes, Blues & BBQ is coming to town, along with the annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon, The Big Event, Amazeum's inaugural Tinkerfest, and more.

Bikes, Blues & BBQ

Thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – will descend on downtown Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas between Sept. 24-27, as the region hosts the 15th annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally.

The four-day event will offer something for everyone, including free live music every day and night. Activities will consist of the Stokes Air Bike Show, a car show, Hambone Express Pig Races, the Miss BBB Contest and more. The Arkansas State KCBS State BBQ Championship and Bikes Blues & BBQ Karaoke Contest will also be held. Hundreds of vendors will be set-up throughout the area, as well.

Proceeds from Bikes, Blues & BBQ will benefit a number of local charities. Since its inception, the rally has contributed more than $600,000 to area non-profit organizations.
A complete schedule of event times and locations is available online, with activities taking place throughout the NWA area. For more information, call 527-6626.

Pink Ribbon Luncheon
Northwest Arkansas will kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month a few days early with its fourth annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon on Sept. 25. Presented by Komen Ozark, this year's event will welcome Olympian and "Dancing with the Stars" alum, Amy Purdy as its special guest speaker.

The luncheon will be held at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Guests will enjoy a delicious lunch, as well as a Survivor Fashion Show and silent auction.

Purdy, a 2014 Sochi Bronze medalist and "Dancing with the Stars" runner-up, will share her inspiring story, including overcoming obstacles after losing her legs following an infection at age 19.

Individual tickets are $50 or $500 for a reserved table of ten. Both may be purchased online. Proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment for underserved women and their families in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas. For more information, contact the Komen Foundation at 750-7465.

Salsa Dancing Night
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a special night of Salsa dancing on Sept. 26.

Presented in cooperation with Walmart’s Hispanic Latino Associate Resource Group, the event will include a full evening of dancing and fun in the Great Hall at Crystal Bridges.

Doors will open at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Guests can register online or by calling Guest Services at 657-2335.

The Big Event
"The Big Event" is back. Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas will host its 14th annual "Big Event" gala on October 2 at the Rogers home of Jim and Holly Breach.

The relaxed evening fundraiser will include hors d'oeuvres and specialty wine tasting. Guests will also have the chance to bid on a number of items and exclusive packages in the live and silent auctions.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online. All proceeds stay local and help Big Brothers, Big Sisters match area children in one-to-one relationships with caring mentors.

The Big Event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 966-4366, ext 203.

An Evening with Jonathan & Kara Story
Habitat for Humanity of Washington County will host its fifth annual gala benefit concert, "An Evening with Jonathan & Kara Story," on Oct. 3.

Hosted at the Fayetteville Town Center, the evening will include a reception, dinner, raffle and silent auction. Guests will also be treated to an exclusive concert by Jonathan and Kara Story. The event will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, which "seeks to put beliefs into action, bringing people together to build homes, community and hope."
Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online. Reserved tables for eight are also available for $500.

For more information, call 575-9696.

Tinkerfest
Amazeum will celebrate the great art of tinkering as its hosts its inaugural Tinkerfest on Oct. 4. The festival will work to bring out the "creative, curious, and innovative spirit in all" as it unites  artists, craftsmen, and tinkerers of all types for a special day of "Do it Yourself" (DIY) fun.

Guests will enjoy trying their hand at special projects, which will include jewelry making, rocket launching, machine building and more. Visitors will also have the chance to browse the work of locals professionals that will be on display and learn from them about their unique trades.

Tinkerfest will be held Old High Middle School in Bentonville from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tinkerers young and old can help get in the spirit the day before at the Tinkering Film Fest on Oct. 3. A series of innovative short films will be shown just prior to the regular First Friday Flicks event, beginning at 7 p.m. The Film Fest will be held in Lawrence Plaza in downtown Bentonville.

Admission to Tinkerfest and Tinker Film Fest are both free and open to guests of all ages. For more information, call 696-9280.