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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Another beautiful week in our Arkansas River gem, where the State Fair wraps up this weekend at Kay Rodgers Park, construction crews are busy on Highway 253, and fall festival season kicks into high gear. Whether you're planning your final fair visit before Saturday's close or preparing for October's Peacemaker Music Festival lineup, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🎭 Festival Finale - State Fair closes September 27 with $7 million economic impact and 75,000+ corn dogs served
⚖️ Infrastructure Reality - $585 million water system overhaul needed as aging pipes fail citywide
💼 Manufacturing Growth - 63 new jobs at $25 per hour from unnamed Project Synergy expansion
🎪 October Preview - Peacemaker Music Festival, Fall Festival & Oktoberfest, and haunted runs ahead
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—Your Neighbour
📅 This Week in Fort Smith
Your insider guide to what matters most this week
Must-Attend Events
🎭 Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair (Closing Weekend) | Sept 27 | Kay Rodgers Park | Carnival rides, concerts, ag exhibits, fair finale | Schedule
🎭 Fort Smith Fall Festival & Oktoberfest | Oct 4 | Downtown Fort Smith & partner museums | Historical reenactments, live music, Kids Zone, FREE museum entry, trolley, vendor fair | Details
🎭 Peacemaker Music Festival | Oct 10–11 | Riverfront Park | Major acts: Sam Barber, Southall, William Clark Green, and more | Lineup/Tickets
🎭 Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Oct 18 | Ben Geren Regional Park | Halloween-themed races, costume contest, medals | Sign Up
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Peacemaker Music Festival | Oct 10–11 | Regional/national artists at Riverfront Park | Lineup/Tickets
Live music @ Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair | Nightly through Sept 27 | Kay Rodgers Park | Fair Schedule
Arts On Main: Open Studio | All fall | Weekly art jams & workshops downtown | Calendar
👪 Family-Friendly
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Haunted 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Oct 18 | Ben Geren Park | Costumes, Halloween racing, medals | Sign Up
United Way Pickle Ball Open | Oct 11 | Ben Geren Park | Doubles tournament, all levels welcome | Details
Girls Inc Golf Tournament | Oct 13 | Eagle Crest Golf, Alma | Charity event, lunch/prizes | Details
🎨 Arts & Culture
Wait Until Dark | Now-Oct 4 | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Suspense thriller, evening/matinee shows | Tickets/Details
Evermore: The Poe Experience | Oct 24–Nov 1 | Skokos Center, Alma | Immersive Edgar Allan Poe performances | Details
🎓 Education & Business
Annual Meeting: Chamber of Commerce | Oct 22 | TBA | Meet business leaders, annual updates | Details
United Way Campaign Kick-Off: Pop & Purpose | Date TBA | Dirty Soda Bar | Community event | United Way Events
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market | Oct 18 | Chaffee Historic District | Local foods, crafts, trucks | Market Info
Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Excursions | Weekly | Van Buren Depot | Scenic train rides, fall foliage | Excursion Info
Farmers Market | Sat & Wed | Garrison Ave & N 2nd | Fresh local produce, crafts | Market Info
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Sat & Wed | Garrison Ave & N 2nd | Morning shopping, local favorites | Market Info
Arts On Main: Open Studio | Weekly | Downtown | Painting, pottery, maker workshops | Calendar
Quick Hits
Murder & Mayhem Haunted Tours – Haunted trolley, spooky history – Oct 17, 18, 25, 31
Candlelight: Halloween Classics – Live music at Marshals Museum – Oct 24, 7 PM
Hotel of Horrors Halloween Party – DJ party, downtown hotel bash – Oct 31, evening
Holiday Market – Shop 130+ booths, crafts & gifts – Nov 1, Kay Rodgers Park Details
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📰 Fort Smith News You Can Use
INFRASTRUCTURE
Water system needs $585 million overhaul as aging pipes fail
What this means: Expect significant water rate increases and potential service disruptions
Fort Smith's water infrastructure, dating from the 1930s-1960s, requires $585 million in upgrades after multiple line breaks. A 24-inch main from 1962 failed in August, triggering water conservation orders that banned lawn watering and car washing.
Here's what to know:
Only two aging water lines serve all 90,000 residents
Rate increases inevitable to fund improvements
Conservation orders may become more frequent
Highway 253 lane closures continue through November 3
What this means: Major commute delays between I-540 and Highway 45
Arkansas DOT's concrete overlay project maintains one lane in each direction for around-the-clock construction. The work began September 8 and affects thousands of daily commuters using this major corridor.
Here's what to know:
One lane each direction maintained 24/7
Project completion: November 3, 2025
Plan alternate routes during peak hours
PUBLIC SAFETY
Juvenile arrested after Northside High bomb threat
What this means: Enhanced security measures at all district schools
Fort Smith Police arrested a juvenile September 19 following a bomb threat that forced evacuation of Northside High School. The September 15 incident involved FBI and Homeland Security investigations, highlighting increased school safety concerns.
Here's what to know:
Multiple agencies now monitoring school threats
Enhanced security at football games and events
Report suspicious activity immediately to police
Quick updates
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Manufacturing expansion brings 63 jobs at $25/hour
What this means: Quality employment opportunities above regional average wages
An unidentified manufacturer (Project Synergy) is investing $5.56 million while adding 63 positions averaging $25 per hour. The expansion grows the facility from 272 to 335 employees, strengthening Fort Smith's industrial base.
Here's what to know:
Jobs pay above typical regional wages
Total investment: $5.56 million
Applications expected to open soon
Quick updates
Building permits drop 53% in August - Monthly total of $12.2 million down sharply, but year-to-date still up 22% at $189.6 million - Read more
Solar canopy construction starts October - $1.45 million farmers market project will generate 500,000 kilowatt-hours annually - Read more
Harps grand opening October 8 - New store at 6400 Veterans Avenue opens at 10 a.m. - Read more
EDUCATION
District implements "Bell to Bell, No Cell" phone ban
What this means: Students cannot use phones during any instructional time
Fort Smith Public Schools banned cell phones for all 14,000 students across 20+ campuses starting August 13. The policy, successfully piloted at two middle schools in 2024, aims to improve focus and reduce classroom disruptions.
Here's what to know:
Applies to all instructional hours
Previously tested at Kimmons and Ramsey
Parents can reach students through school offices
Quick updates
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair generates $7 million economic impact
What this means: Major boost for local businesses through September 27
The nine-day fair expects 135,000-150,000 attendees at Kay Rodgers Park, featuring 1,653 livestock exhibits and 70-80 vendors. New additions include a craft beer tent showcasing Arkansas breweries and local artists.
Here's what to know:
Runs through September 27, 2025
Economic impact: $7-7.5 million
75,000+ corn dogs traditionally sold
Quick updates
🚨 Community Spotlight
What readers are talking about this week
Reader Recommendations
Fig Swap at The Learning Fields
Submitted by Dianne:
Chaffee Crossing "Bring your propagated potted figs to swap with other fig enthusiasts. Meet fig lovers and swap fig stories, techniques and general information for growing and propagating."
What's happening: A unique gardening swap event where fig enthusiasts can trade propagated plants, share growing techniques, and taste different varieties. The event includes door prizes, plant swapping, fig tasting, and guided tours of the Fig Trial gardens.
Why Dianne loves it:
Builds community among local gardeners and fig growers
Free educational opportunity to learn propagation techniques
Chance to diversify your home garden with new fig varieties
Family-friendly with affordable admission ($5 adults, kids free)
The details: 📍 7300 Gardener Avenue, Fort Smith 🕑 Sunday, September 28, 2-4 PM (tours start at 3 PM) 💰 $5 adults, children 13 and under free 📞 RSVP required: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/28HPRTM 🌐 More info
Your Submissions
Want to share something happening in Fort Smith?
What we're looking for:
Local events you're organizing or excited about
Businesses that deserve more attention
Community activities or groups
Neighborhood happenings
Volunteer opportunities
How to submit: Reply to this email with:
What it is and when/where
Why other Fort Smith residents would care
Your first name and general area (we won't share full details)
This week's featured contributors: [Names of people who submitted content]
This section exists because of you. Keep the submissions coming!
📊 Fort Smith by Numbers
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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Your Neighbor
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