SOAR NWA Brings Balloon Glows, Live Music, and Wrestling to Bentonville
There are not many events in Northwest Arkansas where you can watch hot air balloons glow at dusk, catch live music, and then turn around to find a wrestling match happening twenty feet away. SOAR NWA pulls it off, and this August it is back at the Benton County Fairgrounds for year seven.
THE DEETS
📅 Friday, August 14, 2026–Saturday, August 15, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM–10:00 PM both nights
📍 Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Arkansas
🎟️ Two-day tickets: Adults $35 | Kids 3–10 $13 | Kids 2 & under FREE | Single-day (advance): Adults $18 | Kids 3–10 $7 | Kids 2 & under FREE | Single-day (day of): Adults $24 | Kids 3–10 $9 | 4-Pack Early Bird Special: 4 adult single-day tickets for $65 (through July 31, 2026)
🅿️ Free parking on site
🔗 More info | Tickets
Up, Up, and Away
Sponsored by Sam’s Furniture, SOAR NWA fills both evenings with balloon glows, tethered hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, live music, live wrestling from Razor Pro Wrestling, a kids zone sponsored by Walmart, a car exhibit, food trucks, and a beer garden. The balloon glow is the centerpiece, and if you have never watched a fleet of hot air balloons lit up against a darkening sky from the ground, it is worth the drive out. Tethered rides put you right in the basket, and helicopter rides are on offer for anyone who wants the full aerial view.
The Cause Behind the Glow
SOAR NWA is hosted by Open Avenues, a Northwest Arkansas nonprofit focused on employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Every ticket sold goes toward programs that help participants build job skills and find meaningful work in the region. Your attendance is a direct contribution to that.
This year’s event hosts are Jerrit Davis, Vice President of Merchandising at Walmart, and Ryan Lemoine, Vice President of Merchandise Solutions at Sam’s Club.
Grab Your Tickets Early
Buy before you show up — gate availability is not guaranteed once capacity is reached, and the Early Bird 4-Pack closes July 31. Note that tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides, and some other attractions require a separate purchase at the event, and all hot air balloon activities are weather and wind permitting.
August in NWA just got a lot more interesting. Come out, bring the family, and be part of something that goes beyond a good night out.
