Bentonville’s 8th Street Market to officially open in June with BITE food festival
by February 7, 2017 1:20 pm 1,389 views
BITE NW Arkansas, a two-day food festival now in its third year, has been relocated to the 8th Street Market in Bentonville, and the event will serve as the official opening of the new culinary spot, according to BITE.
Part of the annual festivities of the LPGA Tour’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club, the BITE food festival is scheduled for June 22 and 23, with tastings from area restaurants and brands represented the first night and Beer & Burger Fest the second.
8th Street Market stretches about 10 acres along 8th Street in the city’s downtown Market District.
Also home to Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, a program of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, the market is intended ultimately to “showcase culinary education, music and the arts, new restaurant and hospitality venues and other specialized food and drink concepts,” according to the BITE press release.
“8th Street Market will bring a truly unique culinary experience to Northwest Arkansas. We could not be more excited to be their inaugural signature event and to partner with them in building upon the momentum of BITE NW Arkansas,” Harry Hardy, event director, said in the release. “The unique qualities that 8th Street Market will bring as an event venue will enable us to grow attendance and enhance experiences for our restaurant and brewery partners, sponsors and guests.”
The two previous BITE events took place at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers.
Brightwater Executive Director Glenn Mack said in the release, “Given all the culinary and hospitality growth throughout Northwest Arkansas and in Bentonville specifically, I think BITE NW Arkansas is a great way to help introduce 8th Street Market and Brightwater to the residents of the region.”
Bentonville-based Bike Rack Brewery has also announced that it will open a second location in an 8,000 square-foot facility at 8th Street Market.
“We are ecstatic that BITE NW Arkansas is moving to 8th Street Market and that our brewery will have the chance to help grow the impact of the event,” Jeff Charlson, CEO and partner at Bike Rack, said in the release.
Tickets for BITE NW Arkansas, starting at $30, go on sale March 1, along with tickets to the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
The 2017 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship is sponsored by Procter & Gamble.