Details about this year's Tontitown Grape Festival

Carnival armband prices

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: $30
• Friday: $35
• Saturday all-day pass: $35

Spaghetti dinners

• Adults: $15
• Children (10 and under): $10

Admission is free, parking is free, and the nightly entertainment is free. 

Tuesday, Aug. 6

• Carnival armband access: 5 to 11 p.m.
• Grape stomp: 7 to 9 p.m.
• Live entertainment from Brian Odle & the Hillbilly Underground: 7 p.m.
• Live entertainment from ALLIE COLLEEN: 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

• Carnival armband access: 5 to 11 p.m.
• Grape stomp: 7 to 9 p.m.
• Live entertainment from Phil McGarrah & Runnin' on Empty: 7 p.m.
• Live entertainment from LEWIS BRICE: 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 8

• Museum open: 3 to 7 p.m.
• Arts & Crafts Fair: 3 to 10 p.m.
• Italian spaghetti dinners: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Carnival armband access: 5 to 11 p.m.
• Bingo: 6 p.m.
• Live entertainment from SnapBack: 7 p.m.
• Live entertainment from BOOMTOWN SAINTS: 9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9

• Museum open: 3 to 7 p.m.
• Arts & Crafts Fair: 3 to 10 p.m.
• Italian spaghetti dinners: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Carnival armband access: 5 to 11 p.m.
• Bingo: 6 p.m.
• Live entertainment from The Butler Creek Boys: 6 p.m.
• Coronation of 125th Queen Concordia: 8 p.m.
• Live entertainment from WESTERN SWING RULES BAND: 9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 10

• Run for the Grapes 5K Walk/Run: 7 a.m.
• Run for the Grapes Kids Run: 8 a.m.
• Museum open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Arts & Crafts Fair: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Live entertainment from The Abbey Pierce Band: Noon
• Live entertainment from Dirty Flannel Shirt: 2:30 p.m.
• Carnival armband access: Noon to 11 p.m.
• Italian spaghetti dinners: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Live entertainment from The Atlantics: 5 p.m.
• Bingo: 6 p.m.
• Live entertainment from King Chicken: 7 p.m.
• Live entertainment from JENNA & THE SOUL SHAKERS: 9 p.m.
• Grand prize giveaway by 2024 Queen Concordia: 11 p.m.

According to the Tontitown Police Department (TPD), there is only one official free parking entrance for the festival off Highway 412. 

From 412, police say to drive north on Barrington Road and follow the signs to the free parking area. 

"We have plenty of officers that are going to be parking vehicles when they get there and directing them into the parking lot and then getting them to leave," Detective Keith Lindley said. "It will be very, clearly defined as to what routes you can go coming and going from Grape Fest so all the traffic is moving in the same direction."

Through traffic on Barrington will be closed during festival hours, according to TPD.

When you leave the parking area, attendants will ask you to turn right onto Barrington Road, going northbound. 

"We're going to do our best," Lindley said. "We ask for grace. We ask for your patience." 

Do

• Drink lots of water
• Eat the grape ice cream
• If you park on the south side of Highway 412, cross at the crosswalk
• If your child does their best “David Copperfield impression,” let Tontitown police officers know and they will help you
• Try the spaghetti dinner
• Stomp some grapes
• Listen to the live acts and “dance like no one is watching.” However, TPD said they will be watching (for safety reasons)

Don't

• Wear a hoodie because “it will be so hot chickens will be laying omelets.” Wearing gang-affiliated clothing is also prohibited 
• Forget to secure your phone, wallet, keys, and other loose items while on a carnival ride
• Overdo it in the extreme heat. Find a first responder if you see someone struggling
• Dip a cup into the barrels while people are competing in the famous grape stomp
• Bring any firearms, machetes, swords, explosives, or fireworks (unicorns are permitted)

The Tontitown Grape Festival in 1985 from the 5NEWS Vault:

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