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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️

Another crisp autumn week in our Arkansas River gem, where holiday lights are going up along Garrison Avenue and the smell of fall festivals fills the air. Whether you're planning your Veterans Day weekend around Arkansas's largest parade or hunting for that unclaimed $1.3 million lottery ticket, we've got your local pulse covered.

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—Your Neighbour

🎪 Arkansas River Holiday Market | Nov 1 | Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith | 150+ vendor booths, food trucks, Santa visits, arts & crafts shopping extravaganza. $5 admission (12+) | Market Website​

🎖️ 13th Annual Regional Veterans Day Parade | Nov 8 | 10 AM-2 PM | Chaffee Crossing Historic District | Arkansas's largest Veterans Day celebration with floats, motorcycles, ceremony, food trucks, kids area | Discover Fort Smith​

🎶 Fort Smith Symphony: I'll Be Home for Christmas | Dec 6 | 7 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Holiday classics featuring The Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride, vocalists Emily & Patti Drennan. After party at Bakery District 8:30 PM | Fort Smith Symphony​

Clint Black | Nov 7 | 8 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Country music legend live in concert | Concert Info​

UAFS Wind Ensemble Concert | Nov 12 | University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Wide variety of symphonic wind music from traditional to contemporary | UAFS Entertainment​

UAFS Orchestra Concert | Nov 13 | UAFS | Works by Mozart, Purcell, Kalinnikov, and Skalkottas | UAFS Entertainment​

UAFS Jazz Band | Nov 18 | UAFS | High-energy jazz featuring swing, Latin, blues with student soloists | UAFS Entertainment​

Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown | Nov 19 | 7:30 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Tribute concert | Concert Tickets​

UAFS Jazz Catz (Vocal Jazz) | Nov 20 | UAFS | 10-member vocal ensemble with rhythm section performing jazz standards, blues, rock & pop | UAFS Entertainment​

Rittz | Nov 22 | 8 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Hip-hop performance | Ticket Info​

Skokos Center: Fiddler on the Roof | Nov 30-Dec 3 | Skokos Performing Arts Center, Alma | Alma Airedale Theatre Group production | Skokos PAC​

David Nail | Dec 5 | 8 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Country concert | Concert Details​

American Aquarium | Dec 13 | 7 PM | The Majestic Fort Smith | Americana/alt-country show | Ticket Info​

Keyboards at Christmas | Dec 13 & 14 | 2:30 PM (Sat), 6:30 PM (Sun) | Oak Cliff Baptist Church, 3701 Gary St | Holiday piano performances | Event Info​

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings | Dec 19 | United States Marshals Museum | Intimate classical holiday concert by candlelight | Fever Tickets​

Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Wed & Sat | 7 AM-12 PM | Corner of 2nd & Garrison | Year-round market with 30+ vendors, fresh produce, baked goods, crafts | Market Info​

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Excursions | Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun ongoing | Van Buren to Winslow | Scenic train rides through Boston Mountains, tunnels & trestles | A&M Railroad​

Halloween on Main | Oct 31 | 6 PM | Van Buren Main Street | Pet costume contest (5 PM), Zombie Crawl (6 PM), candy distribution, costume competition (7 PM) | Van Buren Events​

Greenwood Fall Festival | Nov 1 | 9 AM-5 PM | Bell Park, Greenwood | Arts & crafts vendors, entertainment, inflatables, hayrides, carnival games, face painting, food | Greenwood Parks​

Van Buren Holiday Open House | Nov 7-8 | Van Buren Main Street Historic District | Shop local businesses with special deals and holiday shopping | Van Buren Calendar​

Thanksgiving in the Park | Nov 15 | 8 AM | Kay Rodgers Park | Free Thanksgiving groceries, produce & holiday staples, drive-thru distribution | AllEvents​

Van Buren Small Business Saturday | Nov 29 | 10 AM-6 PM | Van Buren Main Street | Support local businesses with special deals | Van Buren Events​

Paris Christmas Parade | Nov 29 | 6 PM | Paris Courthouse Square | Parade, downtown lighting ceremony, entertainment at Eiffel Tower Stage | Paris Chamber​

Creekmore Holiday Express | Dec 2-28 (Closed Dec 24-25, Sundays) | 5:30-8:30 PM | Creekmore Park | FREE miniature train ride through thousands of animated holiday lights celebrating 25th anniversary | Fort Smith Parks​​

Christmas Celebration with Fort Kids | Dec 4 | 6-9 PM | The Bakery District | Music by Gary Baker & Lenny Leblanc, dinner, silent auction benefiting Fort Kids Children's Museum capital campaign | Eventbrite​

A&M Railroad Holiday Express | Nov 29-Dec 31 (select dates) | Van Buren Depot | Pajama train rides with Santa, hot cocoa, cookies, Christmas music, festive decorations | A&M Railroad​

Gobbler 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Nov 1 | 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Thanksgiving-themed races, multiple distances | Find A Race​

Gobbler 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Nov 15 | 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Second November turkey trot event | Find A Race​

Mercy Thanksgiving Day Turkey Run | Nov 27 | Fort Smith | Thanksgiving morning race tradition | True Grit Running​

Holiday 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Dec 20 | 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Festive holiday races, finisher medals, best costume contest | Find A Race​

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Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Ongoing | 1601 Rogers Ave | Michael Warrick "Spirits" exhibition through Feb 8. Free RAM Saturdays with art projects | Fort Smith RAM​

Fort Smith Little Theatre: "Exit Laughing" | Nov 13-22 | FSLT Downtown | Bridge club comedy about friendship & living life fully. Opening night $20, other shows $13 | FSLT​

Skokos Center: "The Miracle Worker" | Nov 14-23 | Alma | Alma school district production of Helen Keller story | Skokos PAC​

Fort Smith Little Theatre: "Closed for the Holidays" | Dec 11-13 | 7:30 PM | FSLT Downtown | Christmas comedy about strangers stranded on Christmas Eve eve. All tickets $8 (off-season production) | FSLT​

A Nouveau Christmas Soiree | Dec 11 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Live music, food, refreshments, art, Saint Nick. Cocktail attire, 21+, $45 tickets | Arkansas.com​

Fort Smith Chamber Business Brew | Oct 21 | 8-9 AM | Monthly networking breakfast with business cards and connections | Chamber​

Arts On Main: Thanksgiving Feast Cooking Class | Nov 18 | 6-8 PM | Arts On Main, Van Buren | Create Thanksgiving dishes with Chef Don McClellan. $55/person, 21+ | Fort Smith Chamber​

HBA White Christmas Banquet | Dec 5 | 6:30 PM social, 7 PM dinner | ACHE Research Institute | Home Builders Association Christmas & Installation Banquet with dinner, live music, door prizes | HBA Event​

Fort Smith Trail of Holiday Lights | Nov-Dec | Downtown Fort Smith | Animated lights, Creekmore Holiday Express, window displays along Garrison Ave | Arkansas.com​

Fort Smith Riverwalk | Daily | Harry E. Kelley River Park | Walk or bike trail system along Arkansas River with scenic views | Discover Fort Smith​

Ben Geren Regional Park | Daily | 3301 S M St | 1,217-acre park with trails, playgrounds, fishing, disc golf, mountain biking | Fort Smith Parks​

Hoppy Hour Comedy Show | Monthly (Nov, Dec) | 7:30 PM | Fort Smith Brewing Company, Barling | Local stand-up comedians, monthly shows | AllEvents​

Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Wed & Sat | 7 AM-12 PM | 2nd & Garrison | Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, honey, crafts from 30+ vendors | Market Schedule​

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad | Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun | Van Buren Depot | Regular scenic excursions plus special Holiday Express rides starting Nov 29 | A&M Railroad

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

What this means: Fort Smith faces "hard choices" ahead with proposed 2026 budget showing $8.092 million deficit could impact service levels across all departments starting January

Fort Smith's chief financial officer expressed low confidence in balancing the 2026 budget after 2024 posted a $6.47 million deficit and 2025 projects a $15.56 million shortfall. The proposed 2026 budget anticipates $53.695 million in revenue against $61.788 million in expenditures, despite department heads making cuts.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

What this means: 8,000 sq ft daycare center opening spring 2026 will add 22 jobs and serve growing Chaffee Crossing families addressing childcare shortage near ACHE campus

Founders of Creekside Learning Academy broke ground Friday on a $1.5-2 million infant and child daycare center on Chad Colley Boulevard between Mercy clinic and Heritage Village shopping center. The facility will employ 16 full-time and 6 part-time workers when it opens spring 2026.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article

PUBLIC SAFETY

What this means: FEMA grant saves Fort Smith taxpayers $700,000 in general fund spending while replacing critical breathing apparatus reaching end of life cycle each unit costs $12,000

Fort Smith Fire Department received nearly $700,000 through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, marking the second time the department has won this competitive FEMA grant. Funds will replace self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA/Air Packs) that protect firefighters in hazardous environments.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article

Quick updates

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