A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

Our host Allen Woody and Amped Electric Games Founder Seth Johnson chat about the electric olympics, with competitions for one-wheels, electric unicycles, and more, happening September 1–3, 2023 in Bentonville.  This event is fun for the whole family and includes races, jumping, games, performing arts, vendors, and more. Listen in to find out more. Then, grab a free general admission ticket on our...

Bentonville gravel cyclists Aimee Ross and Heide Nelson join this episode, sponsored by OZ Gravel, to talk about their training program, Femmes Gravel. Last month, the program ended with 40 female cyclists completing a century (a 100-mile ride), many of them for the first time. The fun continues June-December with monthly ladies-only group gravel rides. Get a feel for what the Femmes Gravel centur...

Our host Allen Woody gets the details on “Lakes & Rivers,” the New OZ Art NWA Installation at Ledger from Bob Jones, OZ Art NWA preparator. “Lakes & Rivers,” is by New York-based artist Stefan Sagmeister, who created the bugs embedded in the concrete of the Ledger building. The installation is a visual representation of the increase in the use of waterways within the United States with the...

Our host Allen Woody sits down with Heather Diebold, event services manager at Visit Bentonville, and Matt Hesse from the University of Health & Performance, to talk about what to expect at the inaugural Honor Fest happening in Bentonville July 10–16.  This week-long festival recognizes veterans, current military, military families, first responders, and their communities. Learn more at VisitB...

Our host Allen Woody gets the inside scoop about the opening of Creekside Park from Kelly Schmidt, community events manager with the City of Bentonville, and Shelly Kerr, comprehensive planning manager at the City of Bentonville. Listen in to learn about the new park which includes the first cricket pitch in Northwest Arkansas, eight evening-lit pickleball courts, an evening-lit dog park, new publ...

On this episode sponsored by OZ Trails, Neil Donoghue from Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) joins us to talk about his visit to the Mountain Biking Capital of the World. Here for Bentonville Bike Fest 2023, the GMBN team will be all around town throughout the weekend. Also hear from Neil on his tips for riding trails for the first time in Bentonville, advice for young mountain bike content crea...

Our host Allen Woody and guest Kelsey Miller, Northwest Arkansas Program Director for Little Bellas, talk about how Little Bellas uses mountain biking as the platform to inspire confidence in young girls’ pathways to personal growth, community, and competency.  Get involved with Little Bellas summer ride program here in Bentonville, or if you’re visiting—join one of the many chapters across the na...

Our host Allen Woody, Open Avenues Event Director Kelly Sampson, and Hot Air Balloon Pilot Austin Albers get us up-to-speed on SOAR NWA, the annual hot air balloon fundraising event by Open Avenues. Originally hosted in Fayetteville, the event is moving to the Benton County Fair Grounds this year on August 18 and 19. Make plans to Visit Bentonville in August, and experience this incredible event,...

On this episode, sponsored by OZ Trails, Lauren and Gabriela from Trailblazers talk about how they activate the Bike Month Challenge in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more people to try biking. Trailblazers manages Love To Ride, a platform where users can log rides, share their stor...

Allen Woody and Wendy Guerrero, president of Bentonville Film Festival, give us the rundown on how BFF got its start as well as all the new and exciting things coming to the festival this year. From film screenings and celebrities to food and cycling—you won’t want to miss all there is to experience at BFF when you Visit Bentonville June 13–18. A New American Town is here to help you plan your tri...

On this episode of Visit Bentonville’s  A New American Town Podcast,  sponsored by OZ Trails, Belgian Trials World Champion and Red Bull athlete Kenny Belaey joins us with Jessy Heard to talk about all the events that will be jam packed into this year’s Bentonville Bike Fest. Bike Fest will take place May 23-28 adjacent to the historic Applegate property. Don’t miss out this year on workshops, int...

Allen Woody and April Seggebruch, managing partner with Good Gravy Group, bring us up to speed on all the delicious new projects the group is bringing to the Bentonville culinary scene, including a new barbecue restaurant, the reopening of fan favorite Bentonville Butcher & Pint, and more! Visit Bentonville soon, and experience all the high southern style cooking our town has to offer. A New A...

Hear Allen Woody talk art and more with Spidertag, a muralist and artist, currently installing work in Downtown Bentonville.  Spidertag is a highly regarded innovative muralist and artist, who has earned international recognition for his unique and pioneering approach to the medium of light. Defying traditional techniques, Spidertag explores the interplay between art and technology meticulously we...

Tune in for an update on the exciting happenings at Peel Compton Foundation this Spring and Summer! Allen Woody, our host,  and guest, Taylor Reed,  Social Media & Communications Coordinator for Peel Compton Foundation, cover a wide range of events and updates that will help you plan your visits to Bentonville.  Peel Compton Foundation's mission is to cultivate spaces where community thri...

In this episode, sponsored by OZ Trails, Harry Hill with Minority Mountain Bikers gives a rundown of their next event: Minority Mountain Bikers Bentonville Bike Week. Listen to find out what to expect during this event, held May 10-14 in Bentonville, Arkansas, and start planning your trip! Keep up with OZ Trails on Facebook and Instagram , and follow Minority Mountain Bikers on Instagram . A New A...

Allen Woody talks music and more with City Sessions Executive Director Jerad Sears and artist and songwriter Joshua James. You’ll get the inside scoop on what City Sessions is bringing to Bentonville, including the Home Sweet Home Festival presented by Wheelhouse on April 28 and 29. Plan your trip to visit Bentonville and experience this unique music festival! Get your tickets here . Stay social w...

Allen Woody is joined in the studio by Angie Cooper, Executive Vice President of Heartland Forward and Executive Director of Heartland Summit. Listen in as Angie and Woody dive deep into the work of Heartland Forward and Heartland Summit and what it means to be a “policy think and do tank” driving economic development in the heartland. Plan your trip to visit Bentonville and experience the bustle...

Our host Allen Woody sits down with Amanda Horn, Sr. PR Director with Crystal Bridges and the Momentary , for a lightning round update about what’s on at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary for Spring 2023! Spoiler alert: there’s a lot! Listen for an inside scoop on why you should check out the current exhibitions at both locations, including Diego Rivera’s America, Listening Forest by Rafael Lozano...

The Visit Bentonville Team sits down with Hannah Carter and Kristi Kelley with RunBentonville to get up to speed about the 13th Annual Run Bentonville Half Marathon on Saturday, April 1, 2023. In this episode, Hannah and Kristi share the history of the Bentonville Half and everything it has to offer, as well as their own personal experiences with the race. Tune in for a wonderful and exciting glim...

On this episode sponsored by OZ Trails , Bike School Bentonville 's Kyla Templeton and Vanessa Drummond discuss the organization's origins and mission. For kids ages 7-17, Bike School Bentonville offers group classes (Trail Kids), private lessons, spring break and summer camps. Follow Bike School Bentonville on Facebook and Instagram at @bikeschoolbentonville.  A New American Town is her...

The Visit Bentonville team is in the studio with Chef Matt Cooper of Conifer and Cobblestone Farms. The pair have joined forces for a Culinary Spotlight Tour this Thursday. The event includes an exquisite five-course, wine-paired meal while learning more about local hunger relief efforts. Featuring farm-fresh ingredients from Cobblestone Farms and other NWA farmers. For details or tickets click he...

The Visit Bentonville team is in the studio with Kayla Grizzard,  founder of Perry Ryan Theater Company , which is hosting " From Broadway with Love " in the Great Hall at Crystal Bridges on Feb. 17 and 18 starting at 7:30 p.m. Kayla talks about her experience moving from New York City to Bentonville and why she founded Perry Ryan Theater Company, calling on friends from Broadway and Off...

Mark Marsiglio joins the Visit Bentonville Team to discuss Trail Pilot , a unique audio interface to guide you through your ride.  Trail Pilot enables everyone to discover the ins and outs of the Mountain Bike Capital and Northwest Arkansas region like a local.  Now available: 10 audio tours covering 100 miles of our favorite mountain bike rides in NW Arkansas!  Check out Trail Pilot and start pla...

Ryan Carlson with the Wilderness Education Association (WEA) joins the Visit Bentonville Team to share insight to the WEA and the upcoming events in February. The WEA is a member-based and volunteer-driven association committed to the development of professional outdoor leaders and educators. WEA serves the outdoor education and leadership industry through the development of professional standards...

In this episode, sponsored by OZ Trails , the Visit Bentonville Team gives an inside scoop on the 2023 Bentonville cycling scene. Tune in to learn more about the races, demos, and conferences coming to town. Start planning your trip to Visit Bentonville today! Keep up with OZ Trails on Facebook and Instagram ! A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From gu...