21-05-2025
First Bentonville BBQ Fest set for this month
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.
