Northwest Arkansas calendar packed with ‘big’ events

Those looking for something to do in Northwest Arkansas can take their pick of luncheons, festivals and galas in October.

• Pink Ribbon Luncheon
Northwest Arkansas will kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the third annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon on Oct. 3.

Benefitting the Ozark affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the "Picture a World Without Breast Cancer" themed-event will feature a silent auction and a Survivor Fashion Show.

The event will be held at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment for underserved women and their families in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas.

The auction will open for bidding at 10:45 a.m., and lunch will start at 11:30, followed by the program and fashion show.

Tickets are $40 for an individual or $400 for a table of ten and may be purchased online. For more information, contact the Komen Foundation at 479-750-7465.

• The Big Event
"The Big Event" is here.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas will host its 13th annual gala on Oct. 3 at the Fayetteville home of Jeff and Eileen Schomburger. Formerly known as the "Taste of the Ozarks," the event will include a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, and a one-of-a-kind auction.

Items for bid will include a private dinner for four with Razorback football Coach Bret Bielema and his wife Jen at Theo's Restaurant, as well as a Hacienda Cerritos Resort Stay in Mexico. Also up for grabs will be two Nascar packages, U of A Basketball courtside tickets, and an Instant Wine Cellar.

All proceeds stay local and help Big Brothers, Big Sisters match area children in one-to-one relationships with caring mentors.

The gala will begin at 6 pm. Tickets are $75 per guest and can be purchased online or by calling Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWA at 479-966-4366.

• Highfill Hay Daze
Highfill will celebrate fall with its annual "Highfill Hay Daze" on Oct. 5. The event will kick-off at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and 5K fun run, followed by the National Anthem and Hay Daze Parade at 9 a.m.

The event will offer something for all ages, including a car show, archery contest, mutton bustin', and a pie eating competition. Locals will also vie for the title of Miss Highfill in the festival pageant. Men will get their chance to compete in the Redneck Tough Man event.

Other events include the stick horse rodeo, pony rides and bounce house. A BB gun range will also be set-up, along with dozens of food and craft vendors.

The breakfast and opening ceremony will take place in the Highfill Community Building. Other festivities will be held at Highfill Park and Pavilion.

Hay Daze will conclude with an evening performance by the Boston Mountain Playboys. The group will take the stage at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Marisha Gardisser at 479-549-5549 or visit the Highfill Hay Daze Facebook page.



• The International Festival
Historic downtown Rogers will transform into a colorful, cultural center on Oct. 5 as the city hosts the 13th Annual International Festival.

The event  celebrates Northwest Arkansas' diverse population by showcasing the different cultures, costumes, traditions and languages of its various communities.

Visitors will enjoy sampling a range of cuisines at Food Fest, as dozens of vendors will be on-hand serving up delicious food from their respective countries. Participants will get the chance to vote for their favorite vendors in the "Taste of the Truck" and the "Taste of Restaurant Row" competitions.

Back by popular demand at the festival will be the sixth annual International Fashion Show. The event will include unique costumes from around the world and showcase traditional music of the featured countries. It will begin at 1 p.m.

Children will have the opportunity to learn about more than 50 different nations in the Kids Zone. The zone will also include prize giveaways, camel rides, dancing and a petting zoo.

The International Festival will open at 10 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce at 479-636-1240.

• Moms on the Farm Tour
Moms wanting to learn more about where their family's food comes from can take part in the third annual "Moms on the Farm Tour" in Fayetteville.

The tour is hosted by female faculty and staff across the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and others involved with agriculture. The goal of the event is to "help mothers understand more about agricultural production, food safety and nutrition and experience Northwest Arkansas agriculture first-hand."

The tour will include trips to beef, poultry and dairy farms. Lunch will be provided, followed by cooking demonstrations by the Arkansas Cattlewomen. There is no cost to participate. The group will leave at 8:30 a.m. from the Pauline Whitaker Arena located at 1335 West Knapp St. in Fayetteville. The event will conclude around 4 p.m.

To sign-up or for more information, contact Janeal Yancey at [email protected].

• Pea Ridge Mule Jump
The 25th annual Pea Ridge Mule Jump will be held on October 12 beginning at 9 am. This year's event will feature nearly 100 food and craft vendors, live entertainment, and of course, the traditional mule jump competition.

Pea Ridge, proudly known as the "Mule Jump Capital of the World" will celebrate the silver anniversary of its signature festival with new games, vendors and even a few new mules in the jump contest.

More than 40 mules will compete in the event, where their handlers will try and coax them over burlap barriers nearly six and a half feet in height. Up for grabs is more than $4,000 dollars in prize money.

Festivities will also include a car show, hog calling and a fun stick horse race for children.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12, and free for those 5 and under.

The Mule Jump will take place at Pea Ridge High School, located at 460 Black St. For more information, visit the event's Facebook page or call 479-451-1122.