The amazing cultural amenities available to all residents in Northwest Arkansas play a huge role in overall happiness. A recent survey showed that 95 percent of residents reported being “very happy” or “fairly happy” while 72 percent of residents rated their overall quality of life as “excellent” or “very good.” The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to add a new event to its programming that incorporates the arts, food, and outdoor activities, the things make Northwest Arkansas such a great place to live.
Celebrate Northwest Arkansas culture at The Good Life Experience presented by Northwest Health, coming to downtown Rogers September 14-15.
The inaugural event will highlight the culture and quality of life in the area. The experience begins on Friday evening with a farm-to-table dinner. On Saturday, low-cost workshops and classes “pop-up” while a simultaneous marketplace featuring local businesses opens to the community. Families, young professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers and explorers will find this event a fun and festive way to experience The Good Life.
There will be something for everyone to participate in. Attendees will be able to choose how they want to spend the day by registering for workshops they are interested in prior to the event. In between activities, they can walk through the brick-lined streets and visit one of the free marketplace businesses that are set up to take advantage of the open, free-roaming atmosphere. Workshop participation is not required to take part in the event.
“This one-of-a-kind event has grown out of the excitement in Rogers and the greater Northwest Arkansas region for arts, entertainment, farm-fresh food, and our beautiful trails and parks,” said Maddie Ward, Special Events Coordinator for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve partnered with local nonprofits, artists, musicians, farmers, local businesses, and community members to put together this weekend full of engaging workshops and activities. We hope that everyone from outdoor enthusiasts, to young families, foodies and the art-obsessed will enjoy spending the weekend in downtown Rogers celebrating our community’s quality of life amenities.”
Kick-off Dinner | September 14, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
The sunset dinner includes fresh, farm-to-table ingredients enjoyed by the community while seated at a long table with friends and family, lit with glowing candles and lights strung overhead while a band plays festive live music. The dinner signifies the start of a weekend full of celebrating The Good Life through local cuisine and the outdoors. Eric P. Miller will provide entertainment for the dinner. Eric is a musician that loves playing old classics like James Taylor & Jim Croce, but also loves delving in to new classics, all with an acoustic twist.
Confirmed restaurants thus far:
IDK? Cafe – Cheddar and Rosemary Buttermilk Biscuit with Bacon Jam, BBQ Pulled Pork, and Pickled Onion; Grilled Naan with Morroccan Beef and Ginger Pickled Local Cucumber
Big Orange – Award-Winning Spicy Southern Pimento Cheese Dip
Local Lime – Three of six signature house-made salsas and Local Guacamole
Las Palmas – Chips
Golden Corral/KMAC – Smoked Baby Back Ribs and Garlic Spicy Wings with spices from The Spice & Tea Exchange of Bentonville
That Salad Place – Dinner salad with lettuce, local tomatoes, cucumber, shredded carrot, ranch or Italian dressing, and breadsticks on the side
Neighbor’s Mill – Dinner rolls
Carrabba’s Italian Grill – Bite size chicken marsala
Marco’s Pizza – Pizzas with local basil
Da Vinchi’s Italian Garden Restaurant – Spaghetti with local cheese
Newk’s Eatery – Veggie Wraps
Levi’s Gastrolounge & Low Bar – Donuts
Schlotzsky’s/Cinnabon – Cookies
Evolve Paleo – Chocolate Paleo Balls
Macadoodles (drinks)
Festivities | September 15, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn from local chefs, artists and instructors on subjects such as live-fire cooking, yoga on the bricks and ceramics at The Good Life Experience. Options are available to participate in all or just a few of these activities, the day is fully customizable. For those not interested in the workshops, simply stroll through downtown Rogers enjoying performances and public demonstrations such as live art, street musicians, and a variety of interactive, fun experiences. The colorful marketplace features local businesses there to talk about interesting new products and provide healthy local bites, family friendly activities and crafts, and more. Spend the day experiencing all of the event’s festivities as well as unique specials, sales, foods and drinks offered from local downtown businesses.
WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES – Click links to learn more.
Downtown Yoga | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Bring your own mat for this donation-based outdoor Yoga class in Downtown Rogers with teacher Darcie Saunders from YogaGypsy.
Art and Music Walk at Lake Atalanta Park | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Hear live music and watch artist demonstrations right on the water in the serene Lake Atalanta Park.
Hands-On Pottery Classes | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Sign up to try your hand at the pottery wheel in this super-cool mobile art studio located in a renovated Winnebago. There are four one-hour classes to choose from. *Tickets sold through the Community Creative Center website. Location: North 2nd and West Chestnut right across from Wesner’s Grill.
E-Bike Demos at the Marketplace | 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Stop by the marketplace in the parking lot between 108 N. First St. and 122 N. First St. and try riding an electric bicycle.
Grilling & BBQ Workshop | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Discover new live-fire cooking techniques and walk away with new recipes. This class includes samples of meat and veggies straight from the grill!
Homebrewing & Fermentation (21+) | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Learn from a variety of regional businesses that use fermentation in their business, and walk away with a fermenting beverage that you’ll make during this class.
Cooking as a Family | 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Work with your kids and/or grandkids to make a meal. Learn where food comes from and how healthy foods help your body.
—
MARKETPLACE presented by Central States Manufacturing, Inc. – Click link to register for a booth.
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come to our free Marketplace, which will be full of fun activities like electronic bike ride demos and kids coloring stations, as well as Arts, Outdoors, and Food business booths handing out samples and selling wares.
Want to take advantage of this fun, new opportunity and present your products and services to families, millennials, outdoors adventurers, the art community, and food enthusiasts? Booth space is very affordable: only $125. To purchase a booth space now, click here or call (479) 636-1240.
List of confirmed businesses in attendance at the marketplace:
Central States Manufacturing, Inc. with Mudtown BMX
Northwest Health
Flintco, LLC / Arkansas Arts Academy
Imagination Station
Neighbors Mill Bakery and Cafe, Rogers
Ignite Chiropractic
Earthwise Pet Supply – Bentonville, AR
Schuber Mitchell Homes / 2nd Milk
Rogers Public Library
Jazzercise Bentonville
All Pets Animal Hospital of Rogers
Altered Vantage
Elevate Gaming Company
Beall Barclay & Company
Bike NWA
Wheel Mobile
RLACC/Visit Rogers
Terminix
The Earthwise Pet Supply/Bryan University booth will feature a K-9 Unit Demonstration from the Rogers Police Department from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. You can take a photo at their tent and make sure to share, tag, and LIKE both Earthwise Pet/Bentonville and Bryan University on Facebook for a chance to win 20 percent off a 1-time Self Wash, offer is good until October 31. Must present the photo and tag proof on Facebook in order to redeem!
If someone adopts a dog or cat from one of their partner shelters, Earthwise will provide a 10 percent off discount for a “Starter Package”.
• 1 small bag of food
• 1 Select Treat
• 1 Select Toy
DOWNTOWN ACTIVITIES:
Downtown businesses will be hosting a huge variety of other events, food specials, and fun activities. All are on Saturday the 15th unless labeled otherwise. Contact the participating business for more information.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Olive Oil and Balsamic Tasting at Fresh Harvest Tasting Room. Experience a free culinary tasting tour and learn about extra virgin olive oils, fused and infused olive oils and a wide range of balsamics. Over 90 items to sample and explore!
Friday 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Shake Party at Envision Nutrition – If you are curious about Herbalife products, this is your opportunity to know more about them and try samples for free.
Friday 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | FITDANCE Class at Envision Nutrition – Join this class to have fun, sweat and learn why we need to move our bodies.
Friday 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Cre8tive Experience Desserts and Art Demonstration at Rogers Experimental House – Enjoy an evening of shopping, visiting with artists while they work, and sampling desserts from The Cooking Studio and wine sponsored by EY.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Healthy Breakfast at Envision Nutrition – learn about the importance of having the right breakfast and try samples for free.
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Field to Fork: Tasty Tomatoes at Honeycomb Kitchen Shop – Ever wondered what’s so special about heirloom tomatoes? Come join us for the Tasty Tomatoes class to learn this and much more! We’ll cover everything from common types found at local farmers’ markets to tips for growing, selecting, using, and storing tomatoes. This class will include taste testing multiple tomato varieties and a demo of easy tomato recipes that highlight the complex flavors of these delectable delights. Recipes will be provided.
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Drop In & Decorate at Alexander Baking Company – Fun and delicious for the entire family! Stop in and paint your own sugar cookies.
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Homemade Cinnamon Rolls at White River House & Home. White River House & Home welcomes patrons to their new interior design store with fresh-baked cinnamon rolls.
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Woodcarving Demonstrations at The Savvy Shopper by artist Jordan Farmer.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Mural Installation – The Students of Arkansas Arts Academy invite you to join them in creating a mural adjacent to The Good Life Experience Marketplace. Grab a brush or take a selfie! Help make Downtown Rogers more vibrant than it already is!
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Olive Oil Tasting at Fresh Harvest Tasting Room. Free, just stop in to taste the amazing specialty olive oils and fine aged vinegars
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Card Making Class at The Gathering in Rogers – Artist Jane Para will teach you to create your own greeting cards using stamps and cut outs. Participants will take home two handmade cards.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Cre8tive Experience Breathe: Self Care and Relaxation Techniques at Rogers Experimental House – In this class you will learn how to use breathing as a self care tool to reduce stress and relax. There will be a 20 minutes guided meditation led by Patricia Palma Walsh.
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | The Benefits of Basic Dog Training at Woof & Wander. Woof & Wander has partnered with By My Side Canine’s head trainer to bring you the basics and background behind training with your furry friend. This class is free to the public.
11:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. | Ballet Westside Dance Performance at Frisco Stage.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Stretching, Strengthening and Toning Experience by In Touch Health/Morter HealthSystem at First United Methodist Church. Learn the MorterMarch, featuring the Power Pose! This series of stretching and flexibility exercises improve muscular and neurological balance, restore symmetry to joints, improve coordination and stamina and stretch, strengthen and balance muscle tone.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Bollywood Dance Class at Envision Nutrition – Join this class for fun exercise and learn about this expressive form of dance as seen in the Hindi film industry.
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Crochet Class (Beginner) at The Gathering in Rogers – Learn some basic crochet stitches and make a crochet coaster with instructor Becky Slack.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Cre8tive Experience Alcohol Ink Mini Workshop at Rogers Experimental House – Artist Shawna Elliott Use alcohol inks to paint your own 4″ x 4″ porcelain tile while sampling Scout and Cellar’s Clean-Crafted wines. Shawna will give a step by step demonstration and walk you through the basics of painting with this fun medium.
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Artist Demonstration-Pottery Wheel at The Gathering in Rogers. Watch Jim Young create pottery on his wheel and see the finished products available for purchase in The Gathering.
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Southern Loft Furniture shares decorating tips in their pop-up gallery at the Rogers Experimental House.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Casual Paved Trail Group Bike Ride – Join Lewis & Clark Outdoor Outfitters for a family friendly Bike Ride. Bring your bike and wear your helmet and meet them at the Frisco Caboose at the corner of 1st and Walnut.
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Arkansas Arts Academy student bands, The Rockhoppers and Earth Finger, perform classic rock at Frisco Stage.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Beginner Painting Class at Hapa’s Hawaiian Bar and Grill. On the Go Picasso will offer this painting class for beginners. Explore your creative side! Create a pumpkin using acrylic paints on an 11” x 14” canvas.
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Make and Take Art Workshop at The Savvy Shopper. Transform a coat hanger and bits of yarn, beads and feathers into a beautiful dream catcher! This make and take is provided by artist Kathy Vaughn. Family friendly and suitable for all ages. $15 for one or two for $25.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Cre8tive Experience Ripped Paper Collage Class at Rogers Experimental House – Beth Woessner is delighted to bring you this simple workshop where she will demonstrate and give you time to create your own ripped paper collage notecards. This playful process exercises skills in composition and design. Balancing variety and texture.
2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | “Beers of Rogers” Tasting Flights at Brick Street Brews. Brick Street Brews will feature a flight of craft beers brewed only in Rogers. The special flight will include handouts with information on the brewery and their beer. Flights will be available at the tap room. Featured on the “Beers of Rogers” flights will be five-ounce samples from Ozark Beer Company, New Province Brewing Company, Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company, Hawk Moth Brewing and Bentonville Brewing Company.
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 4th Annual Frisco Inferno People’s Choice BBQ Tasting by Rotary Club of Downtown Rogers. Sample the BBQ and cast your vote for your favorite.
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Cre8tive Experience Couples Night Fluid Art Class at Rogers Experimental House – Enjoy a little adulting during this couples Fluid Art Class! Relax and enjoy an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a fluid art class where you will each be making an abstract painting on a large 16″x 20″ canvas.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | John Mack Architectural History of Rogers Talk at The Cooking Studio of Downtown Rogers. Enjoy light bites and a glass of wine or beer and learn about the architecture and history of Historic Downtown Rogers
Happy Hours:
Friday 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.| City Pump
Friday 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |Hapa’s Hawaiian Bar & Grill
Friday 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Levi’s Gastrolounge & Low Bar
Friday 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Brick Street Brews