Good morning, Springdale.

The Siloam Springs Fire Department will host an open house & chili cook-off on October 18 for local residents to attend.

National Night Out is an annual event by the National Association of Town Watch that builds police+community ties through block parties, parades and safety demonstrations.

Eighteen Arkansas cities host events on Oct. 7 such as Bella Vista from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. plus Fayetteville from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that enhance neighborhood safety.

Catalyst Capital announced Thursday that AQ Chicken House will reopen in downtown Springdale at 100 W.

Emma Ave in spring 2026. The restaurant will preserve its traditional recipes while adding updated features — marking a new chapter for this longtime local favorite.

Today, Taylor Swift’s 12th album The Life of a Showgirl drops on all major streaming platforms with listening parties held across NW Arkansas and the River Valley, including at Malco Sunset Cinema in Springdale and at Target stores offering midnight releases.

Spotify reports over five million pre-saves—breaking a record from her 2024 release—while exclusive music videos and behind-the-scenes content add to the celebration.

Springdale-based Ozark Regional Transit reported a 7.6% increase in September ridership to 30,396 passengers while January-to-September totals climbed 10.4% to 254,708, marking an early milestone after surpassing 200,000 in August—ORT aims for record ridership in 2025.

The transit provider will install over 20 new bus shelters with local cities and launch real-time updates via CityMapper to meet growing demand.

Since June 2024, ARDOT installed three speed enforcement cameras in work zones including one on I‑49 in Washington County that issued over 4,000 warnings and 600 citations to slow drivers.

ARDOT spokesman Dave Parker said the goal is zero crashes in work zones—though more work remains to be done.

Reporters Ethan Westerman and Anthony Kristensen argued against an expansion of the NCAA Basketball Tournament to 76 teams following reports that the event is inching in that direction—while they discussed Arkansas men’s basketball and John Calipari’s press conference ahead of today's Primetime at the Palace event.

Jones Center Bike Festival

9 AM – 5 PM — The Jones Center — Free entry — Celebrate cycling with community festivities and a kickoff barbecue at this fun-filled 2-day event.

Arkansas Symbols Day at Shiloh Museum

8:30 a.m. — Shiloh Museum — Volunteer opportunity — Help engage young students with the state bird, the Mockingbird, at this educational outreach event.

Fall Fun at Farmland Adventures

3-9 p.m. — Farmland Adventures — Ticket required — Enjoy a giant corn maze, pumpkin picking, pony rides, and family-friendly activities this fall.

35th Annual Ozark Regional Arts & Crafts Festival

9 AM – 8 PM — Northwest Arkansas Convention Center — $18.6M predicted spend — Celebrate local artistry with a wide array of handcrafted goods at this beloved festival.

Halloween Boxing Show

6-10:30 p.m. — Springdale Civic Center — Costumes encouraged — Experience a night of boxing, community fun, and trick-or-treat festivities.

Gobbler Race Series 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon

8 a.m. — Shaw Family Park, Springdale, AR — Registration required — Lace up your running shoes for a festive community challenge with 5K, 10K, and half marathon options.