- Fort Smith Weekly
- Posts
- 🏙️ FORT SMITH WEEKLY #14
🏙️ FORT SMITH WEEKLY #14
In partnership with
Hi Neighbors!
This community is now 700+ large, Thank you to everyone who subscribed, and welcome new readers
I had some folks reach out to showcase their business/venture and I will start including them next week onwards.
Here are some fireworks photos from this past weekend
Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe here to get your weekly dose of Fort Smith goodness.
—Your Neighbor
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
⚾ SPORTS & RECREATION
⚾ Fort Smith Marshals vs Sherman Shadowcats | July 11-12th | Home baseball games | 7:05 PM | Crowder Field, University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Fort Smith Marshals Website
⚾ Fort Smith Marshals vs Sherman Shadowcats | July 13th | Home baseball game | 6:05 PM | Crowder Field, University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Fort Smith Marshals Website
⚾ Fort Smith Marshals vs Abilene Flying Bison | July 27th | Home baseball game | 6:05 PM | Crowder Field, University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Fort Smith Marshals Website
💦 Splash Pads | Through Labor Day | Free water play | 8:00 AM-8:00 PM | Multiple locations: Woodland (2006 N. 6th St), MLK (1815 N. Greenwood Ave), Compass (100 N. A St), Tilles (3700 Grand Ave) | Free
🚂 Creekmore Express | Through July 27th | Train rides | Wed-Sat 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, Sun 1:00-4:00 PM | Creekmore Park, Fort Smith | Call (479) 784-2368 for info
🎭 LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & CONCERTS
🎵 Dylan Wheeler Concert | July 18th | Country music | Doors 7:00 PM, Show 8:00 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | $15.00-$20.00 | Majestic Fort Smith
🎤 Rodney Carrington | July 18-19th | Comedy shows | 8:00 PM both nights | Choctaw CenterStage, Pocola | Choctaw Casino
🎵 Descendents | July 24th | Punk rock concert | TBD | TempleLive Fort Smith, 200 N. 11th St | TempleLive Tickets
🎭 THEATER & PERFORMING ARTS
🎭 Fort Smith Little Theatre: Oklahoma! | July 17th-August 2nd | Rodgers & Hammerstein musical | Evening shows 7:30 PM, Sunday matinees 2:00 PM | Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 N. 6th Street | Opening Night $25, Other performances $20 | FSLT Website
🎬 MOVIES & FILM
🎬 Movies in the Park: Moana 2 | July 18th | Free family movie | Begins at dusk | Creekmore Park, Fort Smith | Call (479) 784-2368 for info
🎬 $5 Movie Night: Roman Holiday | July 24th | Classic film screening | Time TBD | King Opera House, Van Buren | King Opera House
🎬 $5 Movie Night: Grease | July 31st | Classic film screening | Time TBD | King Opera House, Van Buren | King Opera House
Recurring Events I Like
⛺️ Chaffee Crossing food and Artisan Market | July 19th | Free to attend | 8:00 AM 1:00 PM | Link to the Event | Link to Add to google Calender
🛒 Fort Smith Downtown Farmers Market | Saturdays year-round | 7am–noon | All ages | 201 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith | Free entry | Details
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
💡 DID YOU KNOW???
Fort Smith fact: In 1864, about 300 refugees—including at least 40 orphans—were evacuated from Fort Smith by steamboat to Illinois during the Civil War. Unable to care for them, Union officials ordered their removal, separating families and leaving many children, like 9-year-old Mattie Tully, to face uncertain futures. This poignant chapter of local history is rarely discussed, but it reveals the deep human impact of war on our community.
🔍 LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: FANCY DATE NIGHT IN FORT SMITH!!!
TL;DR: 21 West End is Fort Smith's standout upscale-casual spot with speakeasy vibes, exceptional food, and service that actually cares about your experience.
This place gets everything right that most restaurants mess up. The stone walls and dim lighting create perfect date-night atmosphere without feeling stuffy, and the menu walks the line between creative and approachable beautifully.
What really sets it apart is the service—staff who know their stuff and genuinely want you to have a great time. The lobster tacos and French onion soup have people raving.
Pro tip: The entrance is hard to spot, so give yourself extra time. Weekend reservations essential.
Reach Out For a Reservation - (479) 434-4213
Location - South Waldron Road, Fort Smith, AR 72903
📰 FORT SMITH NEWS TO STAY IN THE LOOP
Sports Spotlight
Thunder stars to be honored at downtown celebration July 24
Fort Smith natives Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams are returning to their hometown for a championship celebration. The Oklahoma City Thunder teammates, who recently won their first NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, will be honored at a celebration event on Thursday, July 24, in Downtown Fort Smith beginning at 3 p.m. The event is presented in partnership with the City of Fort Smith, The Bakery District, and RiverBoy Music Group.
Community Impact
Teen center opening delayed as federal education funding frozen nationwide
The Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club has been forced to temporarily suspend its planned after-school program due to frozen federal funding. The U.S. Department of Education froze $1.329 billion in 21st Century Community Learning Center funding, affecting the club's $700,000 grant for a teen center partnership with the Future School of Fort Smith. The center was scheduled to open on August 13 and serve up to 100 teens daily. Rep. Steve Womack is advocating for the release of these congressionally approved funds.
Development News
Van Buren developer gets approval for $50M mixed-use project
Fort Smith city directors approved a $50 million proposal to transform the former Fianna Hills Country Club into a mixed-use development. The Van Buren developer plans to convert the 31-acre site into retirement housing, single-family homes, and commercial space. The project will be completed in phases, with the first phase expected to start soon and finish within 18 months. Ward 3 Director Lee Kemp praised the investment in the long-dormant property.
Consumer Alert
Local family loses $1,300 in benefits as EBT fraud cases rise statewide
A Fort Smith family lost their entire $1,300 EBT balance to suspected fraud just one day after receiving their monthly benefits. The Chargoy family, who has six children, discovered their food assistance funds had vanished overnight. Fort Smith police report nine similar cases this year as part of a nationwide EBT scam trend. Unfortunately, the Arkansas Department of Human Services cannot reimburse stolen funds, as the federal replacement program ended in December 2023. Officials encourage recipients to change their PINs frequently and not share access numbers.
Business Update
City achieves significant cost savings on infrastructure improvements
Fort Smith recently completed a water meter replacement project that cost $5.2 million less than a similar initiative from 10 years ago, demonstrating improved efficiency in municipal operations. The city successfully upgraded its water infrastructure while achieving significant cost savings compared to previous projects, reflecting better project management and competitive bidding processes.
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me exploring the best of Fort Smith! If you enjoyed this week's edition, I'd love for you to:
Forward to a neighbor who might enjoy it
Reply with feedback or story ideas
Share your own Fort Smith discoveries
Coming next week: Summer festival preview, a spotlight on Fort Smith's historic theaters, and seasonal gardening tips from local experts.
Connect With Fort Smith Weekly
📸 Photo of the Week: [Submit your Fort Smith photos for a chance to be featured!]
💌 Got news or events? Reply to this email or submit through our [online form].
See you around town,
Your Neighbor
Rate Today’s EditionWhat did you think of today's edition? |
Fort Smith Weekly is an independent newsletter dedicated to celebrating our community. Not affiliated with any government entity or organization.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here
Quick links:
Interest in advertising? Reach out
Story idea? Send us a note by replying to this email