NWA celebrates Roots Festival, United Way Kick-off and Savor the Flavor

With Labor Day just around the corner, Northwest Arkansas folks are gearing up for the annual Fayetteville Roots Festival, United Way's "Heroes" Campaign Kick-off, and Savor the Flavor. And there are, we’ve been told, Chefs in the Garden.

Fayetteville Roots Festival
Northwest Arkansas will get back to its roots as it hosts the annual Fayetteville Roots Festival Aug. 28-31. With a theme of "A Mountain Town in its Natural State," the four-day festival will showcase some of the region's best music, art, food, and service organizations.

This year's musical lineup will include a number of well-known acts, including Lucinda Williams, The Wood Brothers, Darrell Scott & Tim O'Brien and more than a dozen others. The artists will perform on stages throughout the city including George’s Majestic Lounge, Greenhouse Grille, Kingfish Dive Bar, the Fayetteville Public Library and the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market.

Another component of the event will be “Farmers of the Festival," a partnership between Fayetteville Roots Festival and area farms. Vendors will offer a wide array of organic produce, all natural meats and eggs, flowers, food products and more.  Participating restaurants will use the ingredients to prepare their menus at the main event at the Walton Arts Center.

Visitors will also have the chance to browse exhibits by local artists and enjoy some family fun at an ice cream social, film festival and street dance. A complete schedule of events and vendors is available online.

United Way of Northwest Arkansas Campaign Kick-off
United Way of Northwest Arkansas will kick off its 2015 campaign with a true extravaganza at Fast Lane Entertainment in Lowell on Aug. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The kick-off's theme will be "What This Place Needs is Everyday Heroes" and will seek to inspire guests to help make a difference in the community. In addition to  photo booth fun and bowling for attendees,  United Way organizers will make several special announcements regarding the upcoming campaign.

Admission to the event is free. Pizza and appetizers will be provided, with a cash bar available to those wanting to purchase drinks. For more information, call 303-4420.

Labor Day Celebration with Roots Festival
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will join in on the Fayetteville Roots Festival fun with a Labor Day Celebration and Concert on Sept. 1.

Hosted on the Walker Landing at Crystal Bridges, activities will include a cookout and free concert by featured festival performers. Artists will include Birds of Chicago, Raina Rose, Rebecca Loebe, and Smokey & The Mirror.

Admission to the family friendly event is free and open to the public. The celebration will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, call 657-2335.

Savor the Flavor
Locals are invited to relish the delicious food and drink that Fayetteville's Dickson Street has to offer during the 2014 Savor the Flavor tasting event. Held on Sept. 2, the evening will include a self-guided walking tour along the fabulous Dickson Street restaurants and eateries where visitors will sample a wide variety of food and beverages.

Tasting will last from 5 to 9 p.m., with an after-party from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The party will be hosted at The Garden Room, located at 215 West Dickson Street.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased in advance or on the day of the event, if still available. All proceeds will benefit Faith in Action, "a volunteer-based organization providing homebound seniors with free non-medical services to help promote their independence, dignity and quality of life."

For more information, contact Linda Ericksen at 463-7862 or via email at [email protected].

Chefs in the Garden
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville – 4703 Crossover Road – will hold an evening of cooking demonstrations, sampling, wines that compliment the meals and a complimentary bar.

The event is set for Sept. 9, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The honorary chef for the 2014 event is Steven Brooks. Restaurants included in the event include Bordino’s, Greenhouse Grille, River Grille Steak House, The Hive @ 21c Museum Hotel and Vetro 1925.

Tickets are just $50 each. For more information on the event visit this web link, or phone 750-2620.