"I've lived in Rogers my whole life and don't remember a summer without the Frisco Festival," says Jessica Rush, the interim director for Mainstreet Rogers. "It's just a nice community event to be able to get together before the stress of the school year sets in."
The festival, now in its 31st year, is a staple of downtown Rogers and brings families together for food, entertainment and outdoor activities. Rush says the staff at Mainstreet Rogers is excited to announce there be no carnival rides this year, which she says will give the festival a newer and fresher approach.
FAQ
Frisco Festival
WHEN — Aug. 28 & 29
WHERE — Downtown Rogers
COST — Free; food for purchase
INFO — mainstreetrogers.co…
FYI
Frisco Festival
Aug. 28
5 p.m. — Festival Opens
Whitey’s Chicken, $7
5:45 p.m. — Opening ceremony, Frisco Stage
6 p.m. — Ultra Suede, Frisco Stage
8:30 p.m. — Backroad Anthem, Frisco Stage
11 p.m. — Festival closes
Aug. 29
7 a.m. — Rogers Farmers Market, Elm & 2nd Streets
7:30 a.m. — First Baptist Church FREE pancake breakfast, Entertainment Garden
7:30 a.m. — Frisco Festival 5K
8 a.m. — A&M Railroad Frisco Excursion Rides begin, First & Walnut
9 a.m. — Festival opens
9:30 a.m. — Frisco Festival 5K awards, Frisco Stage
10 a.m. — Dogtastic performance, Frisco Stage
10:30 a.m. — The Whistle Stop Café opens, First United Methodist Church, Third & Elm
11 a.m. — Chili-Salsa-Peno competition, Entertainment Garden
$5 chili lunch ticket
11:30 a.m. — Ballet Westside, Frisco Stage
12:30 p.m. — School of Rock featuring Dean’s List, Frisco Stage
1:30 p.m. — Chili-Salsa-Peno jalapeno-eating contest, Frisco Stage
2 p.m. — Frisco Idol Competition, Frisco Stage
5 p.m. — Frisco Idol Finals, Frisco Stage
5 p.m. — BBQ Cook-Off, Entertainment Garden
$5 dinner ticket
6 p.m. — Trout Fishing in America, Frisco Stage
8:30 p.m. — National Park Radio, Frisco Stage
10 p.m. — Festival closes
But the lack of rides does not mean there is nothing for families to do. Helicopter rides, a mechanical bull and an inflatable water slide will all be set up during the festival.
"The water slide is suitable for kids and adults. I've ridden it -- it's very fun!" Rush says.
Also exciting this year will be a car show on Aug. 29 benefiting the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter. The show will include games, raffles and trophies for several categories. Michael Narx of The Circuit says the group likes to host events like the Frisco Fest Car Show that can support local charities.
"You might not know it, but there's such a big car culture in Rogers, so any time you can have an excuse to block off a street and fill it with cars is a good time," Narx says. "And this one is benefiting the children's shelter, which is one of our favorite charities to work with. The kids helped make some of the trophies and the raffle items, and we just like that we're helping part of our own community."
Children's shelter volunteers will be at the event to answer questions and to explain how the money raised will be used to benefit Arkansas kids.
Live music and delicious food are a major part of the festival. You can watch the seven bands from Northwest Arkansas that will perform on the Frisco Stage during the festival, while you eat your pancakes, or chili, or BBQ (or all three!) that will be served on Saturday.
"I would say Backroad Anthem (performing Aug. 28) and National Park Radio (on Aug. 29) are two things you really can't miss this year," Rush says. "But also just the shopping and entertainment of the area. Frisco Festival just gives everyone a good reason to have a family fun weekend in downtown Rogers."
NAN What's Up on 08/21/2015