First Bentonville BBQ Fest set for this month
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Pit masters from Arkansas and eight other states will be smokin' at the Bentonville BBQ Festival on May 31, an inaugural event devoted to all things barbecue.
State of play: Johnson-based Wright's Barbecue and Bentonville-based marketing company Product Connections are hosting the event and are looking to make the gathering an annual festival.
What they're saying: The barbecue community is close-knit, Wright's owner Jordan Wright told Axios. He participates in festivals in other states and wanted to build a similar experience in NWA, bringing friends in the industry to come participate.
Zoom in: Admission will get you access to all 15 offerings.
- Other participating Arkansas restaurants include Bentonville-based Beach BBQ and Brothers Meethouse, plus Russellville-based Ridgewood Brothers BBQ.
How it works: The festival will be divided into three sections — heritage for classic barbecue, Lonestar for Texas-style dishes and "tomorrow-Q" for innovative takes like tacos, Product Connections' Haley Berley told Axios.
- The event also will include live music, face painting for kids, vendors and beer from Bentonville Brewing Company, she said.
- Proceeds from the event will benefit Hogs for the Cause, a nonprofit that supports families of children with brain cancer.
The intrigue: While Arkansas doesn't have a specific style (like Memphis, Texas, Kansas City and Carolina styles), barbecue joints in the state can make all styles, Wright said.
If you go: Bentonville BBQ Festival is from noon to 4pm May 31 at The Momentary. Get tickets for $65.