A March Madness watch party in Bentonville brought families and basketball fans together Saturday, offering a communal space to follow the NCAA tournament while boosting business for local vendors.The Big Bracket Watch Party, put on by Downtown Bentonville Inc. at 8th Street Market, was designed to give attendees a place to watch games throughout the day while enjoying food, activities and time with friends and family.“We have the big screen with March Madness games on, and then we have bounce houses for kids, cornhole, a bunch of different games,” said Jacob Smith, community engagement manager for Downtown Bentonville Inc. “And it’s also an opportunity to check out all the great businesses here at 8th Street.”Smith said the event also aimed to draw attention to areas outside Bentonville’s downtown square, encouraging more foot traffic to destinations like 8th Street Market.For vendors, the impact was immediate.“It’s great. The weather is nice. It’s beautiful out there as well,” said Nemo Sharad, owner of Spice Shuttle. “We’re excited to see a lot of families and friends out here. We have a lot of regular customers around here, too. We love to see more and more people, and it is good for business too, as a small business.”Sharad said events like the watch party help create steady business beyond typical peak hours.“Lunches are usually our busy time, but weekends, we’re actually excited to see a lot of people out and about hanging out here,” Sharad said. “It does bring a lot of business for sure.”Families attending said the event offered a chance to enjoy the tournament together in a lively setting.“We’re having fun with the food. We have all the games over there — having tons of fun,” said Aiden Falkowski, who lives in Cave Springs. “My bracket’s in the 99th percentile, so trying to keep it alive.”Falkowski also said he’s been closely watching Arkansas’ performance in the tournament.“I think they’ve been playing super good. I think our defense has been on top right now,” he said. “Yeah, I think we can really make it all the way.”Organizers said events like the watch party help keep the community connected while giving fans a shared space to follow the tournament as it unfolds.
A March Madness watch party in Bentonville brought families and basketball fans together Saturday, offering a communal space to follow the NCAA tournament while boosting business for local vendors.
The Big Bracket Watch Party, put on by Downtown Bentonville Inc. at 8th Street Market, was designed to give attendees a place to watch games throughout the day while enjoying food, activities and time with friends and family.
“We have the big screen with March Madness games on, and then we have bounce houses for kids, cornhole, a bunch of different games,” said Jacob Smith, community engagement manager for Downtown Bentonville Inc. “And it’s also an opportunity to check out all the great businesses here at 8th Street.”
Smith said the event also aimed to draw attention to areas outside Bentonville’s downtown square, encouraging more foot traffic to destinations like 8th Street Market.
For vendors, the impact was immediate.
“It’s great. The weather is nice. It’s beautiful out there as well,” said Nemo Sharad, owner of Spice Shuttle. “We’re excited to see a lot of families and friends out here. We have a lot of regular customers around here, too. We love to see more and more people, and it is good for business too, as a small business.”
Sharad said events like the watch party help create steady business beyond typical peak hours.
“Lunches are usually our busy time, but weekends, we’re actually excited to see a lot of people out and about hanging out here,” Sharad said. “It does bring a lot of business for sure.”
Families attending said the event offered a chance to enjoy the tournament together in a lively setting.
“We’re having fun with the food. We have all the games over there — having tons of fun,” said Aiden Falkowski, who lives in Cave Springs. “My bracket’s in the 99th percentile, so trying to keep it alive.”
Falkowski also said he’s been closely watching Arkansas’ performance in the tournament.
“I think they’ve been playing super good. I think our defense has been on top right now,” he said. “Yeah, I think we can really make it all the way.”
Organizers said events like the watch party help keep the community connected while giving fans a shared space to follow the tournament as it unfolds.