Good morning, Bentonville.

On April 2, the James Beard Foundation named two Bentonville chefs as nominees for Best Chef: South—Matthew Cooper of Conifer and Rafael Rios of Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico—with winners to be announced on June 16 at the Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Northwest Arkansas sees 36 new residents each day and is expected to reach 1 million residents by 2050—this rapid growth creates business opportunities but also brings challenges like a housing shortage, rising traffic, and loss of green spaces.

Bentonville's tourism bureau reported that events in 2024 increased from 215 to 310 and doubled the economic impact compared to 2023 — numbers that show the success of events like the Life Time Big Sugar Classic and Bentonville Bike Fest.

Future plans include the opening of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in 2025 — a move expected to boost medical tourism and draw more visitors.

In April, UA students take action during Sexual Assault Awareness Month by hosting events to raise awareness about sexual violence.

One event on April 30 — a Denim Day fashion show with nearly 75 student designers showcasing handmade, upcycled denim looks — will bring together campus and community voices to celebrate survivors.

The Arkansas Senate approved a bill on Wednesday to increase penalties for undocumented migrants who commit violent crimes—focusing on those who live in or enter the state illegally.

State Senator Jim Dotson and Representative Jimmy Gazaway introduced the Protect Our Constitution Act, which would require constitutional amendments to get at least 66% of votes instead of a simple majority, and it passed the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday—now the proposal moves to the full Senate.

The 15th Annual Run Bentonville Half Marathon will take place on April 5 at Bentonville Square with about 4,600 runners competing in the half marathon, relay and 5K races sponsored by Walmart and Nestle.

The event weekend starts with a Health—Wellness Expo and packet pick up on April 4 at Record—104 SW A Street while road closures will affect key intersections early Saturday.

Tomorrow’s Heirlooms XIX Quilt Show

9 AM - 4 PM — Benton County Fairgrounds & Expo — Entry Fee Applies — Explore a vibrant display of hundreds of quilts alongside vendors and food.

Northwest Arkansas Gem & Mineral Society Show

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sat) & 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sun) — Bentonville Armory — Entry details not specified — Explore a vibrant rock and mineral showcase featuring a variety of exhibits and activities.

Dr. Compton Native Tree & Plant Sale: Spring

7 a.m. - 6 p.m. — Compton Gardens and Arboretum — Free entry — Explore 70+ varieties of native plants and trees in support of local biodiversity.

Mountain Bike Jump Skills Clinic

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — North Bentonville Trail — Registration required — Learn the fundamentals of mountain bike jumping from World Champion Anneke Beerten.

Music on the Mountain Family Day

6-8 p.m. — Mount Sequoyah Center, Inc. — Donations welcomed — Celebrate Arkansas roots with live performances from talented local artists and family-friendly entertainment.

7th Annual Kid's Splash & Dash

2-3:30 p.m. — Bentonville Community Center — Registration required — A fun-filled race event for kids with a purpose to support MS research.

Certified Network Defense (CND) v3 Training

10 AM – 10 AM — Regus - Bentonville - Beau Terre — Tuition required — Enhance your skills with comprehensive ethical hacking training to prepare for the CEH exam.

Sessanta V 2.0: Primus, Puscifer & A Perfect Circle Live Concert

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Walmart AMP — Tickets available — Experience an electrifying night with iconic bands Primus, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle on one stage.

Pedaler's Bash 2025

2 AM – 3 PM — Pedaler's Pub — Registration required — Experience an epic 44-mile endurance mountain bike race in the heart of Bentonville.