TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — If you want something to do this week and into the weekend with the kiddos before school starts, the Tontitown Grape Festival is celebrating 125 years.
It’s stomping grapes right into the weekend and the event even features a few grape-flavored treats.
There was even grape-flavored ice cream among other foods. The food trucks are located directly in front of the stage where a live band will perform starting tonight.
Debbie Builderback is the owner of Builderback Company.
“They come out every year with the food trucks during the Grape Festival. The Builderbacks have been a part of the Grape Festival for almost 40 years,” Builderback said. “Every year the festival is different, and I have some tips for first-time festival goers. Have your tennis shoes on, have your belly empty, get you a lawn chair set it up. On Thursday nights, spaghetti dinner starts. You’ve got to have a spaghetti dinner and then come out to have ice cream, and then go get your turkey leg later on or some fresh squeezed lemonade.”
Every year the Builderbacks put their heart into this festival making grape ice cream for everyone to enjoy. The Builderback family wants the community to know that “The grape ice cream is only made for the grape festival, and it all ends on Saturday.”
As the festival heads into more activities this week, the chairman of the Tontitown Grape Festival Christopher Redo wants to make sure attendees remember the history as well. “This is a great way to honor tradition,” said Redo. “Without the help of vendors, the Grape Fest wouldn’t have happened. It’s just really about bringing the community together and honoring the tradition of Tontitown,” said Redo.
“We enjoy being in the community and being a part of this festival. These guys put a lot of work into this festival, and it brings the community together. And, I just think it’s an awesome thing for families,” said Builderback.
“There is a host of events that will bring the community together and it’s a fun time for everyone,” Redo said.
There is grape stomping and a run for the grapes this week at the festival, and starting on Thursday, the famous spaghetti dinners. “I mean you really can’t come to this and not get one of those dinners because if you don’t, you’re really missing out,” said Redo.
“One person definitely won’t miss Thursday’s dinner. I know I’ve seen him here year after year, and it’s because he shows up every year just for the spaghetti dinners,” said Redo.
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