Mahjong Meets the Square: Our First Friday Debut in Downtown Bentonville
What is First Friday?
If you’ve ever spent a First Friday in Downtown Bentonville, you know exactly what we mean when we say—it’s pure magic.
For those who haven’t experienced it yet, First Friday is Bentonville’s signature monthly community festival held on the town square the first Friday of every month from April through October, produced by Downtown Bentonville Incorporated (DBI).
It’s part block party, part art fair, part concert—but it’s uniquely Bentonville, with a perfect blend of small-town charm and creative energy. Think of First Friday as the heartbeat of the community: the streets close to traffic, food trucks line the square, live music fills the air, and local artists, makers, and small businesses bring something new each month.
Friends, families, and coworkers all gather to stroll, snack, shop, and soak in the energy. It’s Bentonville community at its best.
Why We Brought Mahjong to the Square
From day one, our mission has been to make Mahjong approachable, social, and fun. So when we started talking about how to introduce Mockingbird & Magnolia Mahjong to Northwest Arkansas in a big way, we knew exactly where it needed to happen—right in the heart of it all, at First Friday on the Bentonville Square.
This month’s theme was Haunted Holler, and if you know us, you know we love a theme. So we applied to DBI to host an open-play area where anyone could stop by, chat, and see Mahjong in action—complete with a skeleton sitting in as our fourth player. There was no way they could say no to that. What says Haunted Holler more than skeletons playing Mahjong?
Thankfully, they agreed! We packed up our Mahjong gear and set up right in the middle of the action—ready to meet whoever wandered by.
What Happened Next
Within minutes of setting up, the tiles were clinking and the questions started flying. We met hundreds of people and saw such a fun mix of visitors.
Some already knew how to play and were thrilled to find a table waiting for them. Others had never seen Mahjong before but were instantly intrigued.
A highlight of the night? When the Razorback Cheerleaders stopped by to take a picture with our setup! (If you’re reading this, call us—we’d love to host a private Mahjong night for the squad!)
We heard it all:
“Wait… what is this game?”
“Oh, I play Mahjong on my phone!” (Spoiler: not the same thing!)
“My grandma used to play this!”
“Can you teach us right now?” (We had to gently say, “Not tonight, but we do teach classes—come join us!”)
“I’ve been wanting to learn for so long.”
And our personal favorite: “Do y’all do fortune telling?”
It was so Northwest Arkansas—curious, creative, and full of personality.
All night, people stopped, asked questions, laughed, and connected. Some stayed to play, others just wanted to learn more. A few even asked us to start a Mahjong league, saying they know how to play but don’t have a consistent group to play with. (Noted. We hear you. Stay tuned. 😉)
What We Took Away
Brooke repping her “Mahj Y’all” t-shirt!
By the end of the night, our cheeks hurt from smiling.
It’s clear—Northwest Arkansas is ready for Mahjong. Ready to learn, ready to play, and ready to build community around the table.
First Friday reminded us why we started Mockingbird & Magnolia Mahjong in the first place: to create a space where people—especially women—can gather, connect, and belong. Mahjong just happens to be the beautiful reason they come together.
A Love Letter to Our Little Utopia
We say it all the time, but it’s worth repeating: there’s nowhere quite like Northwest Arkansas. The mix of small-town charm, creative energy, and genuine kindness makes this place so special.
Standing there in the middle of the Bentonville Square—surrounded by laughter, music, and community—it felt like the perfect symbol of what Mockingbird & Magnolia Mahjong is all about.
We’re so proud to be part of the movement bringing Mahjong to NWA. Whether through classes, private events, open play nights, or little moments like this one at First Friday, we’re just getting started.
Ready to Learn?
So, to everyone who stopped by our table, asked questions, or said, “I’ve been wanting to learn!”—this is your sign. Come join us. Grab a seat at the table. Let’s shuffle, sip, and Mahj, y’all!
Check out our upcoming classes and join the Mahjong movement at mockingbirdmagnolia.com.
