The Northwest Arkansas Cheese Dip Classic, originally scheduled for last September in Fayetteville, is back with a new official date and a sidekick festival to boot.

The inaugural event, to be held May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) at the Washington County Fairgrounds, will precede the first-ever Fayetteville Foam Fest, a beer sampling with hundreds of beers from around the world.

Organizers John McClure and Brandon Karn are calling the two festivals the Fayetteville Sip and Dip.

“Cheese dip and beer compliment each other perfectly, and we are excited to be partnering with the Fayetteville Foam Fest to create a legendary event,” said McClure. “In addition to amazing beer and cheese dip, we will have live music from local and regional artists, children’s activities, and other food and beverages for sale.”

If you’ll recall, the Cheese Dip Classic is actually a competition to decide who’ll represent the Northwest Arkansas region in the 3rd Annual World Cheese Dip Championship held in Little Rock this fall.

For contestants, it’s a chance to become a cheese dip superstar. For everyone else, it’s an opportunity to sample tons of tasty cheese dip.

If all goes as planned a few “local celebrities” will help festivalgoers with the judging. When asked who those celebrities might be, McClure told us he had offers out to several individuals, but couldn’t yet confirm any names.

On the beer sipping side, there’s no competition, just guzzling. Those who buy a ticket will apparently be handed a bottomless cup.

On that note, here the phone numbers for three local taxi companies:
Dynasty Cab – 521-8294
Green Cab – 966-4111
NWA Taxi – 571-8294

Dipping is from 2-6 p.m. and costs $10. Sipping is from 5-9 p.m. and costs $30. Wanna dip and sip? $35 will buy a ticket to both events.

Proceeds from the Northwest Arkansas Cheese Dip Classic will benefit the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas. Fayettevile Foam Fest proceeds will benefit Feed Fayetteville.

Registration for the Northwest Arkansas Cheese Dip Classic is now open to the public. For more information, visit www.CheeseDip.net.