We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!
NWA Gives is a 12-hour online giving campaign. This regional day of giving sees over 160+ nonprofit participants each year from across Benton and Washington County. This event provides additional opportunities for smaller non-profits (like us!) to get more visibility and opportunities for donations! NWA Gives takes place from 8a-8p on April 9, 2026 - but any contributions between 3/26-4/9 will count towards our 2026 NWA Gives goal of $25,000.
We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!
Theo’s is opening their doors on a Sunday for one of their favorite traditions — Theo’s Bayou Block Party!
Join us March 29th from 2–6PM for a true Cajun-style crawfish boil right off Dickson Street. We’ll be outside, the music will be going, drinks will be flowing, and the crawfish will be hot.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!
Mark your calendar! The NWA Gives 2026 Rally will be held at the Osage Park Pavilion on April 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.! Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided by First Security Bank! This is a great opportunity to show up and cheer and help FIRA win some early prize money. All volunteers, industry workers, member restaurants, or friends of FIRA are welcome to join in.
Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!
Obtenga su Certificado de Gerente de Protección de Alimentos ServSafe® en este curso de dos días y comience su carrera de liderazgo culinario con el pie derecho.
NWA Gives is a 12-hour online giving campaign. This regional day of giving sees over 160+ nonprofit participants each year from across Benton and Washington County. This event provides additional opportunities for smaller non-profits (like us!) to get more visibility and opportunities for donations! NWA Gives takes place from 8a-8p on April 9, 2026 - but any contributions between 3/26-4/9 will count towards our 2026 NWA Gives goal of $25,000.
Ambassadors are members of our local community who encourage local hospitality businesses to become members, assist in regular member check ins, and help us keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening in our local hospitality scene.
FIRA currently has a grant to provide $25/hour to individuals who work in the industry and would like to help with outreach! For paid opportunities, be sure to include a paystub on the registration form.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!
Obtenga su Certificado de Gerente de Protección de Alimentos ServSafe® en este curso de dos días y comience su carrera de liderazgo culinario con el pie derecho.
Level up your wine knowledge with FIRA member business, Hotvine Wine Shop!
This recurring meetup is a communal tasting focused on better understanding how to taste new wines, enjoy your favorites, and help the customer find what they’re really looking for.
Each meetup will focus on a specific theme, (varietal, region, etc), and we’ll taste and discuss 5 wines related to the theme in a relaxed, expectation-free environment.
Bring your experience (whether beginner or expert), your palette, and a notebook.
Registration is required, and tickets are $15 + tax (due the day of). 👇👇👇
Ambassadors are members of our local community who encourage local hospitality businesses to become members, assist in regular member check ins, and help us keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening in our local hospitality scene.
FIRA currently has a grant to provide $25/hour to individuals who work in the industry and would like to help with outreach! For paid opportunities, be sure to include a paystub on the registration form.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and learn all about kitchen basics in this four-part restaurant readiness series.
Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!
We’ll be joining our friends in the Hospitality Department at the University of Arkansas to share information about the Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance’s programs!
If you’re a business interested in joining the career fair, registration is free!
Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!
Ambassadors are members of our local community who encourage local hospitality businesses to become members, assist in regular member check ins, and help us keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening in our local hospitality scene.
FIRA currently has a grant to provide $25/hour to individuals who work in the industry and would like to help with outreach! For paid opportunities, be sure to include a paystub on the registration form.
Join us in connecting with our local hospitality community for a FIRA x NWA Harm Reduction training opportunity!
FIRA will be set up with an info booth and NWA Harm Reduction will be set up with a training booth. Come learn more about both of these non-profits and receive life-saving training on how to administer Narcan, utilize fentanyl test strips, and more.
Earn your ServSafe® Alcohol Certificate in this one-day course and learn how to safely and responsibly serve alcohol in professional situations.
Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!
Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!
Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!
Earn your ServSafe® Alcohol Certificate in this one-day course and learn how to safely and responsibly serve alcohol in professional situations.
Get in the holiday spirit with host Faux L’Beau, music by The Swordfish Quintet, comedy by Shawna Blake and Bradly Mcpherson, cocktail flights by Maxine’s Taproom, and a cocktail inspired fashion show by Big Sister Studio. All proceeds benefit the HERO Fund!
Tickets on sale Saturday, November 29 at 11 am.
Join us for the 12th Annual Nog Off - hosted by Maxine’s Taproom!
Every year, some of our amazing bartender friends and neighbors whip up a batch of nog in the name of community - and this year 100% of the proceeds will go the the HERO Fund!
Join other local community members involved in food recovery and food insecurity for a coffee and conversation at one of Fayetteville’s newest community-focused coffee shop!
Join us in connecting with our local hospitality community for a FIRA x NWA Harm Reduction training opportunity!
FIRA will be set up with an info booth and NWA Harm Reduction will be set up with a training booth. Come learn more about both of these non-profits and receive life-saving training on how to administer Narcan, utilize fentanyl test strips, and more.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and learn all about kitchen basics in this four-part restaurant readiness series.
We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!
Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!
Obtenga su Certificado de Gerente de Protección de Alimentos ServSafe® en este curso de dos días y comience su carrera de liderazgo culinario con el pie derecho.
Hear from local chefs and food entrepreneurs as they share real-world insight and practical advice for anyone curious about taking the next step in their own food venture.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and learn all about kitchen basics in this four-part restaurant readiness series.
We’ll be set up at our favorite local farmer’s market with information about our mission. Come chat with a FIRA member about our member businesses, opportunities to join / volunteer / donate, or to discuss potential job openings in the area!
Earn your ServSafe® Alcohol Certificate in this one-day course and learn how to safely and responsibly serve alcohol in professional situations.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!
To celebrate Theo’s 20th Anniversary, they’re hosting a one-night-only curated five-course dinner. Five chefs who each played a vital role in building Theo’s reputation will return to prepare and present a course inspired by their own journey. Each dish will tell a story - of passion, creativity, and the joy of sharing food with others.
Earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and learn all about kitchen basics in this four-part restaurant readiness series.
Find us at Downtown Fayetteville’s 3rd annual Falltoberfest on October 5th, 2025!
Get ready to break out your lederhosen and spice your pumpkins, THE event of the Fall is back! Downtown Fayetteville Coalition (DFC) presents Falltoberfest, a celebration of all things Fall in Fayetteville!
Falltoberfest takes the best of Oktoberfest and adds tons of fun for the whole family - canine pals included!
Downtown Fayetteville Coalition has gathered up our local Arkansas breweries, lined up a day of live music, wrapped everything up in a pumpkin and placed it on a hay bale.
They have rounded up the mocktail makers and beer lovers and kids young and old to celebrate the fall season on Dickson Street!
Free and fun for all ages.
In the expanded footprint for 2025, you’ll find:
Multiple stages with regional and national talent, including music by Minneapolis-based roots band Pert Near Sandstone, St. Louis party band Zero to Ninety, central Arkansas country band Copper Flats, local rock band The Phlegms, local songwriter Ashtyn Barbaree, the New School Band, and others to be announced.
Fall activities and games for all ages
Art installations from local artists
Oktoberfest Beer Garden
‘Spirit Free Sipping’ – Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Showcase
Dogtoberfest Dog Show
Mr. Oktoberfest Pageant
Plenty of local food, snacks, and treats
Activities and promotions inside the Dickson Street businesses
For schedule and details, visit Downtown Fayetteville Coalition.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS EVENT WITH FIRA? LET US KNOW! 👇
![Theo's Bayou Block Party [proceeds benefit the H.E.R.O. Fund]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/1772573637094-JHPZNOZ9N1DKJEZELD32/unsplash-image-929VKYo07h4.jpg)
![ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification (2 parts) [Mo. 3/30 + Tu. 3/31]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/1755875298909-CA5JCR4AFO2EY9K1LT58/unsplash-image-cQbOSRpElxw.jpg)
![ServSafe® Para Gerentes en Español (2 parts) [el lunes el 6 de abríl y martes el 7 de abríl]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/58942af5-d315-4b9b-b5d7-1818d8b77e37/unsplash-image-cQbOSRpElxw.jpg)
![Burning Through the Basics (4 parts) [Mo. 3/2, We. 3/4, Mo. 3/9, We. 3/11]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/1754593272470-8SYTJHMBK28YFAZLASWF/unsplash-image-ANY9TweFHNI.jpg)
![Big Sister Studio Presents: Holiday Spirit [benefits the H.E.R.O. Fund]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/1763432794506-ZGZAGFPSD2KM4AMMB2NA/582433746_18379380877196587_1381118507782492197_n.jpg)
![12th Annual Nog Off at Maxine's Taproom [benefits the H.E.R.O. Fund]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/1764873062240-Y873BKLRDEKLVARZMGGR/Maxines_NogOff_2025_Facebook.jpg)
![Celebrating 20 Years of Theo's [benefitting the H.E.R.O. Fund]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e790c65d4b70c69a59bf0b7/1758388208757-ORRHQ6KVWLGNZAQFYJ85/image%252B%2525281%252529.jpg)
