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! 👇

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!

• Learn more about the Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance

• Sign up for upcoming classes and events

• Join our list for “are you hiring?” or “are you looking for work?” to connect with potential job applicants in the area

• Join as a restaurant or NWA partner member

• Write a love letter to your favorite Fayetteville food establishment!

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS EVENT WITH FIRA? LET US KNOW! 👇

Earn your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certificate in this two-day course and get your culinary leadership career started on the right foot!

Enroll in our complimentary certification course where you will learn all about a manager's responsibilities in ensuring food safety with Chef Amon. 

Throughout the course, we will explore various essential management topics, including:

• Implementing essential food safety practices

• Training employees

• Food safety management systems

• And much more!

This is a two-day course taking place on Monday, September 15 and Tuesday, September 16. Attendance at BOTH sessions is required for Food Protection Manager Certification. 

The ServSafe® program is developed by the National Restaurant Association with the help of foodservice industry experts.

REGISTER HERE (Opens August 25th)

Fayetteville Fashion Night at Sonrisa Boutique

Come join us for a night filled with fashion, style, and fun in Fayetteville! Get ready to be dazzled by the latest trends and designs showcased by talented designers.

Whether you're a fashion enthusiast, a trendsetter, or just looking for a night out, this event is perfect for you. Bring your friends, dress to impress, and dance the night away at our fashion show block party.

Enjoy music from a local DJ while sipping complimentary custom cocktails and watching local designers strut their looks down the runway.

Hosted by Mary Grace Coop and Christa Reynolds.

*This is an 18+ event and it will take place outside, so dress accordingly. 2 drinks are included with the purchase of a ticket.

Presale tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Earn your ServSafe® Alcohol Certificate in this one-day course and learn how to safely and responsibly serve alcohol in professional situations.

This ServSafe® Alcohol class is meant to empower staff members to work as a team to confidently navigate the world of alcohol service.

In this course, we will learn tips and insights for how to responsibly serve alcohol and handle difficult situations that might arise.

Training includes:

• Checking IDs

• Counting drinks

• Effective communication with intoxicated guests 

• Becoming familiar with local regulations

The State of Arkansas offers mitigating benefits to establishments who voluntarily participate in the state's "Responsible Permittee Program," under which the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division will consider certification in mitigation of fines and violations. 

To qualify as a responsible permittee, the operator must:

• Attend a responsible alcohol service training course approved by the division (this course applies)

• Require every employee who sells or serves alcohol to complete a responsible alcohol service training course within 30 days from their date of hire

• Maintain all records of employee training.

The ServSafe® program is developed by the National Restaurant Association with the help of foodservice industry experts.

REGISTER HERE!

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!

This Coffee and Conversation is in partnership with Weave NWA, who is covering everyone’s first cup of coffee. You can learn more about Weave NWA here.

Who’s invited?

• Organizations that work in food recovery

• Groups or individuals who consistently provide meals to our food insecure community

• Any business, individual, or organization that has access to a permitted kitchen and is interested in how they can do more

• Individuals who are interested in volunteering any resources or time to local non-profits dedicated to fighting food insecurity

Likely topics:

• What are the biggest challenges you regularly face in food recovery?

• What are the biggest challenges of feeding the food insecure?

• Do we have organizations here today that can offer a stronger network to support by offering space, resources, or time?

Registration encouraged but not required.

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!

• Learn more about the Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance

• Sign up for upcoming classes and events

• Join our list for “are you hiring?” or “are you looking for work?” to connect with potential job applicants in the area

• Join as a restaurant or NWA partner member

• Write a love letter to your favorite Fayetteville food establishment!

Earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and learn all about kitchen basics in this four-part restaurant readiness series.

Are you interested in venturing into the restaurant and hospitality industry, but don’t know where to start?

Have you been in the business before, but need a refresher and updated ServSafe® Food Handler certification?

Are you working in fast food and want to transition to a local restaurant?

Do you want to be the most hirable, trained, and competitive candidate for local restaurant jobs, with the opportunity to earn more based on the experience you’ll gain through this training?

Are you just curious about working in a restaurant and want to see if it’s the right field for you?  

This program is for you! 

This course will meet on Tuesday August 26, Wednesday August 27, Tuesday September 2, AND Wednesday September 3. Attendance at all four sessions is required for this course. 

REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 5TH