Northwest Arkansas businesses and residents are planning for an influx of people traveling to and from viewing locations for the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8.
There are many places offering a place to view the lunar event, but what if you want to feast on local cuisine or sip on an assortment of cocktails while you take in the majesty of the eclipse?
We have you covered with some eclipse-themed food and drink items being offered in the region and a roundup of culinary events happening around NWA when the eclipse gets here in early April.
Be sure to keep checking back as we update this list with more food and drink news relating to the solar eclipse.
Fayetteville Whiskey Festival
The 2024 Fayetteville Whiskey Festival is an upscale tasting event featuring a wide assortment of whiskey, bourbon, Scotch, and other fine spirits, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Also cleverly referred to as the Fayetteville Blackout Whiskey Festival, the event is going down April 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mount Sequoyah, the Facebook page says.
The festival will gather whiskey enthusiasts and over 50 of the most fascinating distilled spirits, the page states.
Whiskey Festival Tickets will be available online only, and all sales are final, according to the event’s webpage. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend. A valid photo ID is required.
Eclipse Food Festival
The Eclipse Food Festival will celebrate the rich tapestry of Arkansas-made and Arkansas-grown farm and food products from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville, according to the event’s social media page.
Whether it’s the freshest produce from the farm or artisanal delights, there’s something to satisfy every palate, the page states. The participating business leaders have recently graduated from Cureate Courses and two owners will walk away with $5,000 to grow their operations by the end of this showcase, according to the social media page.
All food and drink is for purchase on-site from each vendor, according to the event page. A ticket includes entry, the opportunity to cast your vote for the community prize and two event-branded eclipse glasses to view the historic eclipse happening April 8.
Solar Eclipse Block Party
Generation’s Bank is partnering with local brewery Social Project Brewing Co. to host their Solar Eclipse Block Party at the bank’s Bentonville location from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 8, according to a Facebook post by the bank.
Social Project Brewing Co., located at 600 S.W. 41st St. in Bentonville, had 27 of the top rated beers in the state according to Untappd.com’s top beers of 2023 list. The brewery also took home first place in 13 different categories, the business’ Facebook page posted.
Not only will there be food and drinks, but there will be a space-themed pet costume contest! Dress up your dog or cat (if they will allow you to, of course) as an astronaut and … boom — Fuzz Aldrin! Or Buzz Pawldrin?
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Fair Haven at the Vineyards
A day of fun and solar memories is to be made with lawn games, music, beautiful views of vineyards and mountains, and delicious food and drinks!
Fair Haven at the Vineyards, located in Atlus at 8545 Fair Haven Rd. in Franklin County, is co-hosting their Solar Eclipse Viewing Party with Fort Smith Brewing Company from noon to 4 p.m. on April 8, according to a Facebook post by Fair Haven.
Each ticket comes with parking, entry for one to Fair Haven’s event center and back lawn and a barbecue meal prepared by Fort Smith Brewing Company, the event page says.
Additional food and drink items, including beer, wine and signature eclipse drinks will also be available for purchase.
For a little extra cost, there is also an option to ride a party bus from Fort Smith Brewing to and from the viewing party, according to the event webpage, and complimentary beverages will be available on the journey.
Gorilla’s Grub Food Truck
Even though it is about a 3-hour drive from Fayetteville, the Mountain View Eclipse Parking and Music Fest may be worth checking out. The event is providing a secure parking area and hosting a small local music festival on their 19-acre property in the center of town, according to the event’s website.
Gorilla’s Grub Food Truck will be a featured food vendor for the festival happening April 5 through April 8.
The food truck will be serving Philly cheese steaks, po boys, fish and shrimp tacos, mini corn dogs, chicken strips, fries and more, the event page states.
“Do any of you local Mountain View people remember Dogwood Hollow Steakhouse? These food vendors owners have deep roots in Mountain View, previously owning Stanley Apple Market, Dogwood Hollow Steak House and a concession stand,” Gorilla Grub’s Facebook event page says.
“They just went live with their food truck in the fall of 2023. This will be their first introduction to Mountain View as food vendors and we are very excited!”
Get your tickets here: mvsolareclipseparking.ticketspice.com/mv-solar-eclipse-parking#parking-pass-tickets.
There are also a few eclipse-themed food and drink menu items that are available for those wishing to explore their solar palette.
Eureka Pizza's Blackout St. Louis Pizza
Eureka Pizza announced in a press release a special dish for the upcoming solar eclipse. The Blackout St. Louis Pizza is a delightful creation that pays homage to this rare celestial event, according to the release.
The pizza is a twist on Eureka Pizza's classic thin crust pizza, featuring three times the amount of cup n' char pepperoni. This outrageous serving of pepperoni is so abundant that it nearly obscures the Provel cheese beneath, creating a truly unique and eclipse-inspired dining experience, the release states.
"We wanted to create something special for our community to enjoy during this once-in-a-lifetime event," said Rolf Wilkin, founder of Eureka Pizza. "The Blackout St. Louis Pizza is our way of celebrating the eclipse and bringing people together over a shared love of pizza."
The Blackout St. Louis Pizza is available at all six Eureka Pizza locations for a limited time.
Sonic’s Blackout Slush Float
Sonic recently announced in a release that it would be bringing a new slush float to its menu starting March 25, just in time for the April 8 total solar eclipse.
The new Blackout Slush Float is a sweet, cotton candy and dragon fruit flavored, all-black slush representing the temporary darkness from the solar eclipse and topped with creamy white soft serve and galaxy-themed sprinkles, according to the release.
“There are over 400 Sonic locations in areas where the total solar eclipse will be visible, and we thought, what better way to create some fun for our fans as they experience this unique event than by introducing a new treat that’s as awe-inspiring as the eclipse itself?” said Mackenzie Gibson, Vice President of Culinary & Menu Innovation at Sonic.
The Blackout Slush Float can be ordered at participating locations starting March 25 through May 5th while supplies last.
Lost Forty’s Eclipse-themed Beer
Lost 40 launched its beer, “Ar’ Clipse of the Heart,” on March 12, according to a story by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Daniel McFadin.
The beer itself will be a “nod” on Lost 40’s flagship “Love Honey Bock” brand.
“We brewed a Helles Bock,” brand manager Cassie Millington said. “So we’re kind of in the middle of the path of totality. If you look where the path (of the eclipse) is in the United States, Arkansas, is kind of right in the middle. Helles Bock is kind of right in the middle of the lager-style range.”
Millington described the beer as being a medium amber color with “a pretty moderate” ABV (alcohol by volume) of 6.3% that has “a really balanced body.
While “Love Honey Bock” is darker and sweeter, “Ar’ Clipse of the Heart” is not sweet.
Lost 40 is only going to make 800 cases of the lager, McFadin’s story says.
One case has 24 cans in it, which adds up to 19,200 cans.
Best get yours while you can.
Onyx Coffee
While Rogers-based Onyx Coffee has not specifically pushed their Eclipse coffee roast in conjunction with the upcoming solar eclipse, I thought it worth mentioning if you happen to be looking for a tasty java to keep the buzz palpable during your watch party.
Check your closest Onyx Coffee location or their website to get your Eclipse roast coffee.
“While most of our coffees thrive on the lighter side of roasting, there is a culture dedicated to the dark side,” Onyx’s website says of the roast. “The traditional European style of coffee is still prevalent in many parts of the world and we honor this by crafting Eclipse — our most developed offering.
“The origin will change with seasonality but remains darker than a Darren Aronofsky movie at midnight.”
How about darker than a total solar eclipse in Arkansas?
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Send your food or drink business' solar eclipse events to [email protected].
Submitted image of AR'clipse of the Heart Helles Bock Lager from Lost Forty Brewing graphics, brewed in collaboration with the Simons Foundation for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.