Grape Festival Organizers Prepare For The Masses

What began as a celebratory dinner held in 1898 by Italian Catholic settlers in Northwest Arkansas has grown to a city-wide community effort that feeds and entertains tens of thousands of people each year.

This year marks the 116th Tontitown Grape Festival. The operation requires the help of 150-200 volunteers, 30-40 of which helped make pasta for the spaghetti dinner. They've been making pasta almost every day since July 7, says Alice Walker, festival advertising and public relations coordinator of 16 years.

The festival held at 192 E. Henri De Tonti Blvd. requires preparing otherwise unused land for heavy use five days each year, says Ryan Pianalto, festival chairman.

After mowing and cleaning the grounds, organizers will turn on electricity and water lines. Vendors such as food trucks, refrigerator trailers, bingo stands and ice tents are setting up, he said.

Flour and tomato paste were delivered this week, and volunteers will begin making the spaghetti sauce Monday morning, Pianalto said. Festival organizers also received the chicken for the annual spaghetti dinners this week.

Tontitown Mayor Jack Beckford has played an instrumental role in organizing the spaghetti dinners, ordering food and making additional preparations, Pianalto says.

"He's sort of the unsung hero behind the scenes," Pianalto says.

Beckford was born and raised in Tontitown, and he's been helping out with the festival for 25 years or so, Beckford said. This year, he's the treasurer for the festival and in charge of the spaghetti dinners.

"We've got the noodles all prepared," Beckford says. "During the festival we'll make the sauce and serve it all."

Beckford also orders food and supplies for the event. He said he appreciates the opportunity to volunteer, and aims to help out wherever he can.

The event is a positive force in the region, Beckford says.

"We've been doing this for so long, and everybody comes together to make sure it happens -- it heals a lot of wounds and definitely presents a very positive image for our city," Beckford says.

It's good to pause for five days and join together for the festival, Walker says. The origination of the event's organizers -- the settlement of a small group of Italians in Northwest Arkansas and their continued growth -- is something to be appreciated, too.

"Everybody likes to celebrate an underdog," Walker says.

Carnival armbands allowing for unlimited rides may be purchased every evening this year, rather than just Tuesday through Thursday, Walker said. There will also be a few more carnival rides.

The event will otherwise run similarly to previous years.

"We're not looking to change too much because the theme of the festival is about tradition -- and it always has been," Walker says.

The festival will run Wednesday through Aug. 9. Several attractions are planned for the festival, including grape stomps, arts and crafts, church tours and live music.

The spaghetti dinner will be served 4:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 and Aug. 9. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children.

Festival goers may also purchase tickets to win a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Express truck. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for 6.

The 116th Queen Concordia, chosen based upon the number of truck giveaway tickets sold, will be crowned Friday. She will announce the winner of the truck Saturday.

The "Run for the Grapes" 5K will start at 7 a.m. Saturday. The kids' run will start at 8 a.m.