Northwest Arkansas is leveling up its outdoor recreation offerings.

Driving the news: Ozark Outdoor Foundation announced Thursday that NWA will host Expedition Ozark, a race for the Adventure Racing World Series, in April 2023.

Why it matters: This will bring teams from across the U.S. and worldwide to town to compete, and it'll give locals a chance to race.

Context: Adventure racing is a niche, extreme sporting event that can involve a myriad of physical activities, such as cycling, hiking, kayaking and climbing.

• "As adventure race enthusiasts know, these races are tough, and there aren't a lot of them, and this event is one of only three expedition-level adventure races in North America," Michael Spivey, president and CEO of Ozark Foundation, said during an event at Blake Street House in Bentonville on Thursday.

Details: Groups of four will compete in a race that takes three to five days, depending on the teams' rankings. Some are professional and sponsored. Locals interested in racing may contact Ozark Outdoor Foundation to learn about what they should do to train, said Jason Wilford, director of strategic partnerships.

• The event will also include a 12-hour race geared toward amateurs.
• While teams of all one gender can race, teams must be a mix of genders to compete and be eligible for prize money.
• The races are for people ages 18 and up.
• The prize money amount and fees to compete are TBD.

What they're saying: Heidi Muller, CEO of Johannesburg, South Africa-based Adventure Racing World Series, said Thursday it's a long process to approve new race destinations and spoke of the "endless opportunities" in NWA, noting the region’s mountain biking and cycling trails.

The intrigue: Organizers will not release route details until the day before the race. No, we don't know what city or cities the path will entail. And participants cannot use cell phones to navigate during the race — only a topographic map, Wilford said.

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It's the 18th annual Northwest Arkansas Pride weekend.

Be smart: Pride commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York after police raided a gay club. The event is often attributed with kick-starting the gay rights movement.

• Pride celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and often serves as a time to highlight gay and transgender rights and issues.
• Nonprofit Northwest Arkansas Equality hosts NWA Pride. Other groups and businesses also participate or are hosting special events this weekend.

What's happening: Downtown Fayetteville will be taken over by all things Pride on Saturday, including the festival from 11am-5pm on Dickson Street and West Avenue followed by the parade down Dickson Street.

• The Big Gay Market, with items from LGBTQ+ vendors, will be at the Walton Arts Center parking lot, with nearly 100 vendors, live music and drag performances during the festival, according to a news release.

Yes, and: The second annual Trans March, which seeks to give transgender people visibility as well as a space to speak out against violence, transphobia and oppression, will take place at noon Saturday on Dickson Street.

• C4, an LGBTQ+ nightclub on West Spring Street, will host its annual White Party from 9pm-2am Saturday. Everyone wears white clothing to support HIV/AIDS education and research, and a portion of ticket sales go to HIV/AIDS initiatives. Tickets start at $15 and are only for those 18 and up.

Go deeper: See a full list of events and a map.

Of note

Pride isn't the only festival in Fayetteville this weekend.

• Walk past Dickson Street, and you'll find music on East Avenue.

What's happening: A stage and tables will be set up directly on the street for a three-day roots (think folk/Americana) music festival hosted by nonprofit Fayetteville Roots tonight through Sunday. Check out the artists.

The intrigue: Roots on the Avenue was born out of the pandemic and is back for its second year, Fayetteville Roots co-founder Bernice Hembree told Axios.

• After the organization had to cancel its larger Roots Fest in fall 2020, it was ready to get back to live music in spring 2021 and decided to have small outdoor concerts over the course of 17 weekends, she said.
• This year, it's one three-day event instead.

Details: $55 single-day passes are available for Saturday and Sunday. Get them online.

• Doors open at 6:30pm, and music starts at 7:30pm each night.

Go deeper: While Roots on the Avenue and Roots Fest, set for Aug. 25-27, bring in out-of-town artists, Fayetteville Roots also regularly has shows and jam sessions with local musicians at its headquarters on East Mountain Street. See dates and times.

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Bentonville Bike Fest: The three-day event starts today and goes through Sunday. It consists of races and rides for people of all ages as well as a cycling expo and live music.

• See a full list of events.

Crystal Bridges forest concert: a Juneteenth celebration featuring artists Genine LaTrice Perez and Ricky Wade.

• From 7-9pm on Saturday.
• Tickets are free for people 18 and younger and $12 for everyone else.
• Read about other ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Axios.

Arkansas Anime Festival: The convention with cosplay, gaming and anime starts today and goes through Sunday at the Four Points by Sheraton on Walton Boulevard in Bentonville.

• Get tickets at the door, ranging $20-$45.

Backstreet Boys: No shame in reliving your '90s teenage dream.

• The show is at 7:30pm tonight at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion.
• The cheap seats are sold out, but tickets starting at $150 are still available.