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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Another gorgeous fall week in our Arkansas River gem, where the Film Festival just wrapped with record crowds and Party Paced Club is taking over downtown in pink for breast cancer awareness. Whether you're planning your Thanksgiving week around the Gobbler 5K or trying to catch one of the 12 major concerts hitting town before December, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🎬 Film Festival drives $500K+ downtown boom - 95% hotel occupancy
⚖️ $1.2M waterpark decision deadline - Oct 30 committee vote
🏫 Two schools closing 2026 - 900+ students reassigned
🎪 Arkansas River Holiday Market - Nov 1, 150+ vendors
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—Your Neighbour
📅 This Week in Fort Smith
Your insider guide to what matters most this week
Must-Attend Events
🎪 Arkansas River Holiday Market | Nov 1 | Kay Rodgers Park Riverfront | 150+ vendor booths featuring crafts, food trucks, Santa, and unique holiday shopping | Event Details
🎭 The Nutcracker - Western Arkansas Ballet | Dec 21-22 | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | 39th annual production featuring local ballet company in this holiday classic | Purchase Tickets
🎄 Fort Smith Christmas Parade | Dec 14, 3:00 PM | Downtown Fort Smith (Rogers Ave to Garrison Ave) | Annual parade featuring floats, bands, and Santa presented by historic homes | Registration Info
🎶 Fort Smith Symphony - I'll Be Home for Christmas | Dec 6, 7:00 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Holiday concert featuring Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride, and seasonal favorites | Concert Details
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Josey Scott's Saliva | Nov 14, 7:00 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Rock concert | Tickets
Rittz | Nov 22, 8:00 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Hip-hop performance | Tickets
SOSRIVERBOY II | Nov 29, 7:00 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Multi-artist showcase with Anella, Rhyan Besco, Trevor Phelps, and more | Tickets
David Nail | Dec 5, 8:00 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Country music concert | Tickets
Clint Black | Nov 7, 8:00 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Country music legend | Tickets
Beatles vs. Stones Musical Showdown | Nov 19, 7:30 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Tribute concert experience | Tickets
Velcro Pygmies | Dec 12, 8:30 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Live performance | Tickets
American Aquarium | Dec 13, 7:00 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Americana/Alt-Country | Tickets
Live Music Venues - Weekly | Recurring | Old Town Grain & Feed, Recovery Room Club, Hero's, JJ's Grill | Check individual venues for schedules | Venue Info
👪 Family-Friendly
Arkansas River Holiday Market | Nov 1, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Kay Rodgers Park | 150+ vendors, food trucks, Santa photos, $5 admission (12+) | Event Info
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Wed & Sat through Nov, then Sat only Dec-Feb | 2nd St & Garrison Ave | 7:00 AM - Noon | Local produce, crafts, food | Market Info
Van Buren Christmas at the Parks | Nov 15, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025 | Freedom Park & Dr. Louis Peer Park | Drive-thru and walk-thru light displays, ice skating rink | Details
Arkansas & Missouri Railroad - Van Buren to Winslow | Select dates through Nov | Van Buren Depot | 3-hour scenic train ride through Boston Mountains | Schedule & Tickets
Holiday Express Pajama Train | Dec 5-10 (schedule varies) | Van Buren Depot | Hot cocoa, cookies, holiday train ride | Details
RAM Saturdays | Every Saturday, 12:00 - 3:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE drop-in art projects for all ages | Museum Info
Optimist Club Festival of Trees | Nov 13 - Dec 15 | The Bakery District | Decorated trees on display, raffle to win trees for charity | Event Info
Candy Canes & Gingerbread Lanes | Dec 19, 9:00 AM | The Bakery District | Holiday family event | Eventbrite Listing
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Gobbler 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Nov 1 | Ben Geren Regional Park | Thanksgiving-themed races | Registration
HTA's Glow in the Park 5K and Fun Run | Oct 24 | Fort Smith | Night run event | Details
810 Billiards & Bowling | Weekly Events | 5609 Rogers Ave | Trivia (Mondays 6:30 PM), Bingo, bowling leagues | Venue Info
🎨 Arts & Culture
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Exhibitions | Oct 10 - Feb 8 | 1601 Rogers Ave | "Spirits" by Michael Warrick (Artist Lecture: Dec 12, 5:30 PM) | FREE admission | Museum Details
Paint 'N Sip with Petra Radcliffe | Monthly Fridays, 5:00 - 7:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | $25 members/$35 non-members | Registration
Fort Smith Little Theatre: "Closed for the Holidays" | Dec 11-13, 7:30 PM | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Holiday comedy, $8 tickets | Show Info
Guided Museum Tours | Select Sundays at 1:00 PM (Nov 9, Dec 14) | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE | Schedule
🎓 Education & Business
UAFS Wind Ensemble Concert | Nov 11, 7:00 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | University performance | Season Info
UAFS Orchestra Concert | Nov 13, 7:00 PM | Breedlove Auditorium | Free university event | Details
UAFS Jazz Band | Nov 18, 7:00 PM | Breedlove Auditorium | FREE concert | Event Calendar
UAFS Almost, Maine (Theatre) | Nov 6-8, 7:00 PM | Breedlove Auditorium | Romantic comedy performance | Details
UAFS Season's Greetings Concert | Dec 2, 7:00 PM | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Holiday choral performance | Schedule
Kiln & Keg: Fundraiser for Adaptive Arts | Nov 14, 5:00 PM | Digs | Fundraising event | Tickets
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🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
Greenwood Fall Festival | Nov 1, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Bell Park, Greenwood | Arts & crafts vendors, food, inflatables, hay rides, games | Festival Info
Murder & Mayhem Walking Tour | Oct 25-26 | Belle Grove Historic District, Fort Smith | Historic downtown ghost tour | Event Info
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Wednesdays & Saturdays | 2nd St & Garrison Ave | 7:00 AM - Noon (Wed Jun-Sept, Sat year-round) | Market Calendar
Trivia Nights | Weekly | 810 Billiards & Bowling (Mon 6:30 PM), The Bakery District Mad Ox Bar, Old Town Grain & Feed (Mon 9:00 PM) | Venue Info
Karaoke Nights | Weekly | Old Town Grain & Feed, Recovery Room Club, Lost Beach, Mad Ox Bar | Check venues for schedules | Details
Bingo at 810 Billiards | Every Monday, 6:30 PM | 810 Billiards & Bowling | $5 per line, guaranteed jackpot | Event Info
Quick Hits
Veterans Day Parade Celebration - Chaffee Crossing - Nov 8
Veterans Day Parade - Van Buren - Nov 9
UAFS Flute Day Concert - Breedlove Auditorium - Nov 15, 6:00 PM
UAFS Jazz Catz (Vocal Jazz) - Nov 20, 7:00 PM - Breedlove Auditorium
Van Buren Small Business Weekend - Nov 28-29
Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Fall Excursions - Multiple dates through November - Book Here
Fort Smith Trail of Holiday Lights - November-December - Downtown Fort Smith
📰 Fort Smith News You Can Use
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Smith police maintain peace during "No Kings" demonstration at Rogers & 74th Street
What this means: More than 200 residents marched peacefully as part of the national “No Kings” protest — no arrests or property damage reported locally.
The October 18 “No Kings 2.0” protest in Fort Smith drew just over 200 participants, joining one of 15 rallies statewide opposing recent Trump administration actions. The event, organized by 50501 Arkansas, began at 4 p.m. and concluded around 6 p.m. Despite nationwide tensions and isolated arrests elsewhere, Fort Smith’s march remained orderly. Police closed side streets temporarily to manage traffic but reported no incidents.
Here's what to know:
March began at 74th & Rogers Avenue, where protesters gathered with banners and local press attendance
Nationwide, over 6 million people joined in 2,700 locations — one of the largest coordinated protests in U.S. history
Fort Smith Police Department deployed additional community officers to ensure safety — no detentions made
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Fort Smith board faces $1.2M budget overrun in Parrot Island slide project
What this means: City may need additional funds to complete $4.2M waterpark upgrade at Ben Geren Regional Park, after bids exceeded initial estimates by roughly 30%.
The Fort Smith Board of Directors is reviewing next steps after slide installation bids exceeded projected costs by about $1.2M. The expansion, originally co-funded with the county, now falls entirely on city responsibility after county withdrawal.
Here's what to know:
City Finance Committee to meet Oct. 30 to evaluate spending or defer installation
Bids came in roughly 29% above projection due to contractor shortages
Mayor George McGill has requested revised budget language to maintain project momentum
EDUCATION
Fort Smith schools could close Carnall and Spradling elementaries by 2026
What this means: Two of the district’s oldest campuses may consolidate with nearby schools next year to align capacity and reduce maintenance costs.
District planners outlined a “rightsizing” plan this week that could shutter Carnall and Spradling Elementary schools in 2026. Each currently operates below 70% capacity following enrollment declines since the pandemic.
Here's what to know:
900+ students could be reassigned to Cavanaugh, Beard, Sutton, and Morrison elementaries
School board expected to hold a public hearing before December vote
The plan parallels district efforts to modernize older facilities and focus on balanced class sizes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Fort Smith Film Festival drives $500K+ downtown surge , hotels hit 95% capacity
What this means: 6,000+ visitors filled downtown hotels and restaurants Oct 17-19, generating estimated $500K+ in local revenue 95% hotel occupancy signals growing cultural tourism potential.
The Fort Smith International Film Festival, hosted Oct. 17–19, brought unprecedented visitor turnout to downtown. With screenings across TempleLive, Bakery District, and 906 Lounge, organizers reported a $500K+ economic impact.
Here's what to know:
120+ films screened from 15 countries; local short “River Rising” won Audience Choice
City officials noted hotel occupancy rates above 95% during festival weekend
2026 edition will expand to include a student competition and film production boot camp
Quick updates
City Board study session set for Oct. 28 – Topics include 2026 infrastructure grants, budget amendments, and downtown parking plans – City agenda
Abbott Baptist hosting free Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 21 – Over 400 meals planned for Mansfield residents; event begins 6 p.m. at Abbott Community Center – More info
Local volunteers honored for Arkansas River cleanup – Fort Smith couple recognized Oct. 11 for leading community litter removal initiative – Watch story
Charleston High secures playoff berth – Team clinches top spot after 28–14 win over Lavaca on Oct. 18 – Full coverage
🚨 Community Spotlight
What readers are talking about this week
From Our Readers
Optimist Club Spaghetti Dinner Benefits Boys & Girls Club
Submitted by John
The Optimist Club hosts their annual fundraising dinner supporting Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club programs—one of the quiet engines behind local youth development that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves.
What's happening: Community spaghetti dinner where every plate sold directly funds after-school programs, summer activities, and mentorship initiatives for Fort Smith kids.
The details: 📍 St. Luke Lutheran/Central Presbyterian Church (Waldron Rd & Free Ferry) 🗓️ Friday, November 1st 🕑 [Dinner time - contact church for details]
Fort Smith Chorale's Carols By Candlelight
Submitted by Lynn - Mark your December calendar now
Fort Smith's premier holiday music tradition returns for another year of the intimate, candlelit concert that sells out annually.
What's happening: The Fort Smith Chorale presents their signature holiday concert featuring traditional carols performed in candlelit atmosphere at First United Methodist Church.
The details: 📍 First United Methodist Church 🗓️ Wednesday, December 4, 2025 🕑 7:30 PM 🎟️ [Ticket information available at fortsmithchorale.org]
Party Paced Club's Pink October
All-paces welcome running group goes pink for awareness
Fort Smith's most inclusive running club dedicates October to breast cancer awareness with themed runs rotating through multiple neighborhoods. The format accommodates everyone from serious runners to social walkers.
What makes this special:
1-3 mile routes at rotating Fort Smith locations (Riverfront Drive, Bakery District, Carol Ann Crossing, Brew Haus)
Group splits by pace—10-minute milers and casual walkers both welcome
October 21st "Pink Takeover" at Bakery District with post-run celebration
Special October 30th event: Brew Haus DJ Night (1101 Roger's Ave)
The schedule: 🗓️ Tuesdays 6PM & Thursdays 8:15AM throughout October 📍 Multiple locations (see full schedule below) 💰 Free, all fitness levels 📱 Follow @partypacedclub for weekly route updates
New to group running? Tuesday's Bakery District route is the friendliest starting point—slower pace options and Fort Smith's best post-run coffee scene.
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👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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See you around town,
Your Neighbor
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