I’m not saying you should clear your calendar for the entire month of September, but I am saying before you make any plans, you should consider leaving September 16, 2017 open. That’s because something unique happens in Bentonville on that date. The World Championship Squirrel Cook Off is a food fest unlike any other in the Natural State, and it would be a shame if you missed it.

You can find out more about this year’s event at their website.

If there’s anything Arkansas has in abundance, it’s trees. More than half of the Natural State is covered in forested land. That’s over 18 million acres of trees.

Flickr/Jonathan Ball

As you can imagine, over 18 million acres of trees can hold a whole bunch of squirrels. And those adorable (those sometimes irritating) little fellas are pretty good eatin’, too.

Flickr/Dave Thomas

Bentonville’s World Championship Squirrel Cook Off highlights that most succulent and common of game meats, the squirrel.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

You’d be mistaken if you thought the only people interested in eating the arboreal rodent are Arkansans. Folks flock from all over the world to compete in the cook off, and the resulting dishes reflect that.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

In the past, the World Championship Squirrel Cook Off has seen: squirrel pizza, squirrel gumbo, squirrel ice cream, and squirrel lollipops.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

If you’re a pretty good game cook and can get ahold of some squirrel meat, there’s still time to register, but be warned: the competition is stiff. Chefs, cooks, and squirrel connoisseurs turn out in droves to compete.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

Some of the squirrel dishes will likely be things you’d never think of cooking with game, but the meat in all qualifying dishes will be 80% free range squirrel.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

If you’re all about organic, free range meats, you might want to head on up to Bentonville and check out this unusual food festival. After all, nothing is more organic or free range than wild game.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

It’s free to attend the World Championship Squirrel Cook Off, so whether you call them Limb Chickens, Tree Bacon, sciurus carolinensis, HEY GET OFF MY BIRD FEEDER, or simply dinner, you should definitely see what all the fuss is about.

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

You can find more foodie festivals at this link. If you’re interested in finding things to do while you’re in town, try this article.

Flickr/Jonathan Ball

Flickr/Dave Thomas

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

Facebook/World Champion Squirrel Cook Off

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.