Hi there,

The Bentonville Film Festival is back this week. Even without a pass, you can still enjoy several public events, including a fireworks show and six family-friendly movies screened over three days.

Best,

Sam

Sponsored Message from Best Friends

When Table Mesa opened in 2008, it wasn’t hard to find a parking spot. Since then, downtown activity has grown significantly and demand for parking is much higher.

Now, a proposal to create a valet service to serve Table Mesa and Tavola Trattoria — and potentially other downtown businesses — is percolating through the various levels of approval it would need.

Read more ($).

A big hit to sales tax revenue has led the City of Bentonville to enact a hiring freeze, cut non-essential travel, review department expenses, and potentially delay planned projects.

A remarkably unusual amount of sales tax rebates is behind the dip in revenue. The amount of rebates redeemed in April is a record for the city — and possibly for the state.

Read more ($)

At a meeting held a few weeks ago about the Bentonville Square, Downtown Bentonville Inc. staff heard several residents mention that they missed Pickin’ on the Square.

Now, the free laid-back event, which invites anyone with a guitar, fiddle, banjo, or other acoustic instrument to play together, is back. The first event will be Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m. on the Bentonville Square. If weather permits and there’s enough community interest, the event will continue every Thursday evening.

“This has always been the community’s event—one that has stood the test of time in our city. It doesn’t belong to DBI, but we hope to be the spark that helps bring it back regularly to the Bentonville Square,” Dana Sargent Schlagenhaft, executive director of Downtown Bentonville Inc., wrote in an announcement.

After a 90-minute discussion last week, City Council members and a muralist reached a compromise: the artist will remove the phrase “all bike(r)s welcome” from the mural, and the City will drop its concerns about four sections of the mural that differ from the approved mockup.

A disagreement between the City and the artist first became public during a City Council meeting on May 27. The resulting fallout revealed several flaws in public art policies and processes.

It was a stress test for the City, which hasn’t received complaints about any art on City property since the installation of "Sassy the Sasquatch," a visually striking 11-foot-tall Bigfoot-inspired statue, back in 2018.

Based on the discussion, The Bentonville Bulletin has identified six ways the City could improve its public art processes.

Read more ($)

Door-to-door solicitations in Bentonville are now limited to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., following a City Council vote last week. Previously, soliciting was allowed until 9 p.m.

“We had some incidences in our neighborhood in which people were ringing the doorbell close to 9 o’clock, and we have some elderly people in our neighborhood who didn’t feel comfortable with that,” said Councilmember Beckie Seba.

All solicitors in Bentonville must apply for a permit from the Bentonville Police Department, carry it with them, and present it if asked. They are also required to share their name at the beginning of any conversation and must comply with any sign that says “No Soliciting” or something similar. Violations can be reported to the Bentonville Police Department non-emergency number at (479) 271-3170.

Coffee with the Mayor: Planning and Community Wellness. Tuesday, June 17. Mayor Stephanie Orman leads virtual conversations about Bentonville’s planning priorities and the new Heartland Whole Health Institute.

Wildlife Habitats 101: Cover for Wildlife & Toad Abodes. Tuesday, June 17 @ Bentonville Public Library. Presentation for adults on creating safe spaces for local wildlife featuring a hands-on activity making toad abodes from clay.

An Afternoon with Al Roker. Tuesday, June 17 @ Crystal Bridges. Join longtime TODAY Show co-host Al Roker for a conversation about his career, storytelling, and the new PBS kids’ series Weather Hunters.

Panel Discussion: An Indelible Imprint – The Potency of Black Culture. Wednesday, June 18 @ Crystal Bridges. A conversation on the impact of Black cultural expression across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri and how Black art preserves history, identity, and community dialogue.

Juneteenth Celebration. Thursday, June 19 @ Crystal Bridges. Music, art, activities, and gallery talks honoring Black history and cultural legacy.

Ozark Music Festival Chamber Orchestra. Friday, June 20 @ Crystal Bridges. A concert including the premiere of an original work by Detroit Symphony cellist and Arkansas native, Jeremy Crosmer.

Summer Movie Series: Back to the Future. Friday, June 20 @ Social Project Brewing. Film screening with free popcorn. Bring your own lawn chairs. 

Bentonville Community Orchestra Summer Concert. Friday, June 20 @ Bentonville Public Library. The second performance of Bentonville’s only community orchestra. 

Bentonville Film Festival Fireworks Show. Saturday, June 21 @ The Momentary. Free fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.

NW Arkansas Pride Ride.  Saturday, June 21 @ Bentonville Square. Decorate your bike and join this 5-mile slow bike ride that ends at 21c Pride Party. 

21c Pride Party: CAMP! Saturday, June 21 @ 21c Museum Hotel. A party featuring a trunk show with local designers, a costume contest, and drag performances.

In addition to these events, the Bentonville Film Festival is screening six family-friendly films across three days this week.