May is National Pet Month and the May Day festivities are an appropriate kick off to the month promoting the walkable and dog friendly community for which Downtown Rogers is known. First United Methodist Church is hosting a community wide celebration to include: a ribbon cutting for the new Little Free Pet Pantry, a blessing of the pets, and a Humane Society of Animals pop-up adoption center.

The activities begin at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the 1^st UMC park at the corner of 4^th and Elm in Downtown Rogers, Ar.\

 What began as a Girl Scout Bronze Award Project for two Troop 5349 members, has bloomed into a community wide celebration that brings pet owners and First United Methodist Church members together. Scouts Clara D. and Stella K. designed, built, and installed a Little Free Pet Pantry to accompany the Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library located at 4^th and Elm in the First United Methodist Church Park. Their goal was to help families provide food and other necessities for their pets when the need is great. The girls also want to allow community members to support those who love and care for dogs and cats by making donations to the new pet pantry.

Following the ribbon cutting, First United Methodist Church will offer a blessing of pets and the community is invited to bring their animals on a leash or in a pet carrier. "Our pets bring so much love and joy into our daily lives,” commented Reverend James Kjorlaug, pastor of First UMC. “To share in a time of blessing them gives us a great opportunity to celebrate and thank our animals for all they add to our lives!" The event is free and donations to any of the three little free pantries on site are invited. (Pet food, people food and books for the library) Also planned is a pop-up adoption pet adoption booth by Humane Society for Animals, Inc.

Additional Activities to Celebrate Dog Friendly Rogers Include:

Thursday, May 12-4:30 – 7:30 p.m. The May Art on the Bricks Art Walk theme is “Barks on the Bricks.” Pet-lovers are invited to bring their fur babies and meet the pet portrait artists and photographers, visual artists, plus pop-up booths by non-profit organizations and businesses that serve the animal community. Dancers from Ballet Westside will be putting their best foot forward with a dance performance at 5:30 p.m. in the turntable Plaza at Railyard Park, and pet related vendor tents will be set up along N 2^nd Street and in Railyard Park. Following the humane ballet performance will be a dance with your doggies opportunity.  

Artist and Author Joy Noir presents ‘A Fairy-tail Deconstructed’, Exhibition & Experiential Art, featuring her book Three-Legged Dog and a Chick. The Art on the Bricks Dog Friendly Downtown Sponsor is Best Friends Animal Society. They will be offering an interactive paw print impressions booth, coloring sheet and pet swag and information about pet adoptions.  
Location:  Into+View Art Gallery and Studio, 300 N 2^nd Street, Rogers, AR. Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/510436494142663

Pet Painting Workshop with Amy Eichler-Beginning and experienced artists may participate in a pet painting workshop with Rogers Artist Amy Eichler.
Location: Brick & Mortar, 120 W Walnut Street, Rogers, AR Thursday, May 12, 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
https://www.facebook.com/events/337288535091247

Deborah Billingsley Photography Pet Photo Booth, Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut Street, Rogers AR, Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Art on the Bricks Art Walk Pop-Up Pet Business and Non-Profit Vendors in Railyard Park and N. 2^nd Street
with artist exhibitions throughout Downtown Rogers Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Art on the Bricks Art Walk is free to participants and guests. Interested artists and pet related businesses and non-profits may learn how to participate at www.artonthebricks.com.

Wednesday, May 4, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Open Water Swims- Beaver Lake Highway 12 Boat Ramp https://www.facebook.com/events/1218726448661809/1218727131995074

Fayetteville based travel blogger and person/pet trainer, Denise Holmes, will be attending several Downtown Rogers businesses and adding photos and stories to her social media sites and blog during the month of May.
https://www.instagram.com/mytraveltails/
https://www.facebook.com/TravelTails

Art on the Bricks Art Walk – a program of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk showcases regional artists while enhancing the artistic and cultural opportunities in Rogers, Arkansas. The monthly event is designed to bring people to the cultural and historical center of the city and showcase Northwest Arkansas’s deep pool of creative talent.

Art on the Bricks Art Walk is one element of Downtown Rogers’ vibrant arts and entertainment community. The 2^nd Thursday of every month, artists, craftsmen, and musicians, partner with downtown merchants to provide an opportunity to explore businesses and meet the artists in pop-up galleries. Locations and artists change from month to month, and art experiences consistently provide new and interesting opportunities for the public to connect with and support the creative economy. Art on the Bricks seeks to bring experiences that are socially or culturally significant and align with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce’s economic and quality of life initiatives. For more information, visit www.artonthebricks.com.

2022 SPONSORS: Make Art on the Bricks your destination location for nightlife, dining, shopping, and art. This free, family friendly experience is supported by presenting sponsor: T-Mobile, media sponsor: KNWA Fox 24 News, print media sponsor: CitiScapes Magazine, printing sponsor: Minuteman Press Printing; and dog friendly downtown sponsor: Best Friends Animal Society. Additional sponsors include: Tyson Foods, Washington Regional Urgent Care, Woodridge Retail Group, LBC Studio, epigram studio, Arvest, Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, iHeartMedia and Rogers Experimental House. The event is coordinated by Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Visit Rogers and business owners and area non-profit organizations and participating artists from across NW Arkansas and beyond.