WORDS / SYDNEY FRAZIER

Tri Cycle Farms is excited to bring the eighth annual Pesto Fest and Contest to Fayetteville, happening from 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 7. The tickets will be available from Aug 18 to Sept. 6 for $30 and at the door on Sept. 7 for $35.

Pesto Fest will be held at Tri Cycle Farms, which provides a unique farm-style venue to relax and enjoy the event. The evening will offer a variety of local musicians and entertainment to keep everyone dancing and enjoying the atmosphere. Local bands include Jamie Lou and the Hullabaloo, Opal Agafia, Mater, Tater and Squarsh and Ashtyn Barbaree and the Barbarians.

Food will be provided as a buffet at 6 p.m. as well as other local outside vendors to be announced at the venue. Pesto Fest will also have many brewing options for purchase from around Northwest Arkansas area, such as Crisis Brewing, Ivory Bill Brewing Co. and Apple Blossom Brewing.

This event is family friendly and will offer an array of kids and family activities. There will be a pop-up petting zoo from the Greedy Goats of NWA and dancing from the Island Pacific Dancers of Northwest Arkansas as well as arts, crafts, and other games. 

PESTO CONTEST

The 8th annual Pesto contest will allow up to 20 people to register for the event. The contestants are allowed to enter a pint of their original recipe pesto to be judged by three locally famous chefs. The categories that will be judged by the chefs are “Most Creative” and “Best Pesto”. As an added bonus, anyone that attends the events is encouraged to cast their vote in the “People’s Choice” award for the pesto. 

To enter the contest there is a pre-registration fee of $10, however, there is an option to register at the gate for $15. Visit https://www.tricyclefarms.org/events/pestofest/ to register your recipe, all fees can be paid at the gate. 

Tri Cycle Farms is a nonprofit organization that strives to grow Community Through Soil. Events held at Tri Cycle Farms help with food security in the Fayetteville area as well as community resilience initiatives. 

Tri Cycle Farms can be found at 1705 N. Garland Ave. There is no on-site parking, but there will be volunteers to assist with parking and shuttles to and from the venue.