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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️

Another busy week in our Arkansas River gem, where city leaders are wrestling with tough budget numbers and infrastructure bills while downtown continues its transformation. Whether you're catching the Beatles vs. Stones showdown at ArcBest or watching Council navigate an $8.1M budget deficit, we've got your local pulse covered.

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—Your Neighbour

🏃 Gobbler 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Nov 15, 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Thanksgiving-themed races on scenic trail courses with costume contest, awards, and medals for all finishers. Packet pickup 30 min before race | Register​

🎨 Invest Fort Smith 2025 | Nov 13, 11 AM-4 PM | The Bakery District | FREE entrepreneurship summit with ChatGPT workshops, professional headshots, panels on business growth and downtown revitalization, plus happy hour at Digs. Registration required | Event Info​

🎭 Fort Smith Little Theatre: Exit Laughing | Nov 13-22 | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Comedy about bridge club friends borrowing deceased member's ashes for one last game night. Opening night Nov 13 ($20), other performances $13. Show times: 7:30 PM evenings, 2 PM Nov 16 matinee | Tickets​

🎵 Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown | Nov 19, 7:30 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Epic tribute concert pitting rock's two greatest bands head-to-head in live performance | Tickets​

Rittz | Nov 22, 8:00 PM | The Majestic | Hip-hop artist performing live downtown Fort Smith | Tickets​

Fort Smith Symphony: I'll Be Home for Christmas | Dec 6, 7:00 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Holiday concert featuring The Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride, and classics with vocalists Emily & Patti Drennan. After party at Bakery District 8:30 PM | Symphony Tickets​

David Nail | Dec 5, 8:00 PM | The Majestic | Country music concert downtown | Tickets​

Fort Smith Little Theatre: Closed for the Holidays | Dec 11-13, 7:30 PM | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Comedy about strangers stranded at community center on Christmas Eve eve. All performances $8 | Theatre Info​

American Aquarium | Dec 13, 7:00 PM | The Majestic | Americana/alt-country band live performance | Tickets​

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings | Dec 19, 6:30 PM | United States Marshals Museum | Intimate candlelit concert featuring holiday favorites by string quartet in stunning venue | Tickets​

Choctaw Casino Pocola Entertainment (15 min from Fort Smith) | Randy Rogers Band Nov 14, Dusty Slay Dec 26 | CenterStage Pocola | Live concerts and comedy at casino venue | Casino Events​

Harvest Time Academy Glow in the Park 5K | Nov 14, 7:00 PM | Fort Smith | Timed 5K run and 1-mile fun run/walk with glow-in-the-dark attire encouraged. Medals for top finishers | Race Info​

A Nouveau Christmas Soiree | Nov 15 | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | 2nd Annual Christmas celebration with live music, elegant food & drinks, sultry St. Nick visit. Art Nouveau theme, cocktail attire encouraged, 21+, only 24 tickets available | Tickets​

Thanksgiving in the Park | Nov 15, 8:00 AM | Kay Rodgers Park | FREE community Thanksgiving celebration with food and activities while supplies last | Event Details​

Fort Smith Ice Skating Rink | Nov 25-Jan 1 | Cisterna Park, 1001 Garrison Ave | Synthetic ice skating with rentals. Adults/12+ $10, Under 12 $5. Thu-Fri 4-7 PM, Sat 1-8 PM, Sun 2-5 PM. Extended hours Dec 27-Jan 1 | Ice Skating​

Van Buren Christmas at the Parks | Nov 14-Jan 1 | Freedom Park (walk-thru) & Dr. Louis Peer Memorial Park (drive-thru) | 35-foot Freedom Christmas Tree with music, ice skating rink, 85-foot light tunnel, 50+ animated displays | Van Buren Christmas​

Holiday Art Party | Dec 6, 11 AM-3 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE family event with holiday crafts, goodie bags, scavenger hunts, cookies, photo backdrop, and pictures with Santa | Museum Events​

Junior League Holiday Home Tour | Dec 7, 12-4 PM | Various River Valley homes | $25 ticket includes tour of beautifully decorated homes throughout Fort Smith area. Stop by Digs before/after touring | JLFS Tickets​

Fort Smith Public Library Holiday Open House | Dec 8, 1-5 PM | Main Library | 22nd Annual celebration with music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays, light refreshments. FREE for all ages. Bring non-perishable food item for holiday drive | Library Events​

A Nouveau Christmas Soiree | Dec 11, Evening | Miss Laura's Brothel Museum | Live music, singing, food, refreshments, art and Saint Nick. Cocktail attire recommended. $45 tickets at gift shop. 21+ with proof of purchase | Event Info​

Fort Smith Museum of History Christmas Open House | Dec 13, 12-2 PM | Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Ave | Holiday fun before the Fort Smith Christmas Parade. FREE admission, FREE cookies and hot cocoa, family-friendly activities | Museum Info​

Fort Smith Christmas Parade | Dec 13, 3:00 PM | Downtown Fort Smith | 85th Annual Christmas Parade with festive floats, marching bands, and Santa. Parade route starts downtown. FREE to attend | Parade Info​

Van Buren Holiday in Whoville Christmas Parade | Dec 13, 6:00 PM | Historic Main Street Van Buren | Grinchy Candy Cane Lane Christmas Parade with Whoville theme. FREE community event | Van Buren Events​

Candy Canes & Gingerbread Lanes | Dec 19, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | The Bakery District | FREE family event with cookie decorating, crafts, hot cocoa, and photo with Santa. Wear your favorite pajamas! | Event Details​

Noon Year's Eve Party | Dec 31, 11:45 AM | Fort Smith Public Library - Main | Family-friendly early celebration with countdown at noon for kids | Library Events​

New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Celebration | Dec 31, 8:00 PM-Midnight | 6th & Garrison, First National Bank parking lot | FREE community celebration with food trucks, bounce-arounds, DJ, and ball drop. Hosted by Fort Smith Downtown Business Association | Downtown Fort Smith​

Gobbler 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Nov 15, 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Thanksgiving races with costume contest and awards. Register early for t-shirt | Registration​

Medal Madness 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Dec 6, 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Choose from 5K, 10K or half marathon distances on scenic out-and-back course. Best Costume competition, 3.5 hour time limit. Packet pickup 8:00 AM | Race Info​

Christmas Honors Wreath Event | Dec 6, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM | Fort Smith National Cemetery | 17th Annual event placing wreaths on 16,000+ headstones. Family time 8-10:30 AM, public ceremony 11 AM, public wreath laying 11:30 AM | Christmas Honors​

New Year 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Jan 3, 2026, 8:30 AM | Ben Geren Regional Park | Kick off the new year with scenic races on out-and-back courses. Packet pickup 8:00-8:20 AM, finisher medals for all | Register​

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum Exhibitions | Through Feb 2026 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Multiple exhibitions including Michael Warrick's "Spirits" and Oluwatobi Adewumi's works. FREE RAM Saturdays (12-3 PM) with drop-in art projects | Museum Info​

Holiday Card Workshop with Pam Moreton | Nov 14, 3-5 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Create holiday cards with artist instruction | RAM Education​

VFW Christmas Paint Party | Nov 15, 6:00 PM | VFW Post 4518 | Holiday-themed painting and social event | Eventbrite​

Book Club | Nov 17, 10:30 AM | Central Presbyterian Church | Monthly book discussion group | Church Events​

Arts On Main: Thanksgiving Feast Culinary Class | Nov 18, 6-8 PM | Arts On Main, 415 Main St, Van Buren | Learn Thanksgiving dishes with fresh twists. $55/person, ages 21+, Chef Don McClellan | Chamber Events​

Gem Amethyst Rock Fossil Sale | Nov 22-23, 9 AM-5 PM | Courtyard by Marriott Fort Smith Downtown | Rock, gem, and fossil show with vendors | Event Info​

Skokos Center presents "The Miracle Worker" | Nov 14-23 | Alma | Classic play about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan | West Arkansas Events​

Artist Lecture: Michael Warrick | Dec 12, 5:30-7:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Arkansas Living Treasure artist talks about his "Spirits" exhibition | Museum Info​

Invest Fort Smith 2025 | Nov 13, 11 AM-4 PM | The Bakery District | FREE entrepreneurship summit connecting business owners with resources. Professional headshots, ChatGPT workshop, growth panels, downtown revitalization discussions, happy hour | Register​

Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Wednesday & Saturday through December | 201 Garrison Ave | Saturdays 7 AM-Noon (Nov), 8 AM-Noon (Dec); Wednesdays morning hours. 72 vendors with fresh produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, crafts, food trucks | Market Info​

Christmas Honors Wreath Assembly | Dec 5, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM | Fort Smith Convention Center Hall C | Volunteer to assemble wreaths for Fort Smith National Cemetery. Trucks and trailers needed to transport wreaths | Christmas Honors​

Holiday Express Pajama Train | Dec 5-10 | Van Buren to Winslow | Arkansas & Missouri Railroad scenic train ride through holiday lights in your pajamas | A&M Railroad​

Jingle & Mingle on Main | Dec 6 | Historic Main Street Van Buren | Holiday shopping, entertainment and festivities downtown | Van Buren Events​

Merry on Main | Dec 6 & 13 | Paris, AR | Holiday market and festivities on Main Street | Regional Events​

Christmas in the Country Market and Parade | Dec 6 | Mulberry | Holiday shopping and parade celebration | West Arkansas​

Parade of Lights and Christmas Festival | Dec 5 | Mena | Holiday parade and festival celebration | Regional Events​

Christmas Parade | Dec 8 | Greenwood | Bean Feed on Town Square followed by Christmas Parade | West Arkansas Events​

Christmas on Main | Dec 13 | Waldron | Holiday market and festivities on Main Street | Regional Events​

5K Yule Run | Dec 13 | Greenwood | Holiday-themed 5K race | West Arkansas​

Christmas Parade | Dec 14 | Altus | Holiday parade celebration | Regional Events​

Fort Smith Countdown to Christmas Market | Dec 12-24, 10 AM-8 PM | Central Mall, 5111 Rogers Ave | Shop local with crafts, arts, unique items and holiday gift ideas | Market Info​

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Van Buren Holiday Open House | Nov 7-8 & Nov 28-29 (Small Business Weekend) | Historic Main Street Van Buren | Extended shopping hours, seasonal festivities, and Small Business Weekend promotions | Van Buren Events​

Harvest Fest on Main | Nov 22 | Waldron | Fall harvest celebration on Main Street | West Arkansas​

Christmas Open House | Nov 23 | Paris | Holiday shopping and festivities | Regional Events​

Van Buren Small Business Weekend | Nov 28-29 | Historic Downtown Van Buren | Support local businesses with special events and promotions | Van Buren​

Christmas Parade and Lighting | Nov 29 | Paris | Tree lighting ceremony and Christmas parade | West Arkansas Events​

Sios on Peach Holiday Market | Nov 29 | Rudy | Holiday shopping market | Regional Events​

Small Business Saturday | Nov 29 | Waldron | Support local Waldron businesses | West Arkansas​

Trivia Nights:

RAM Saturdays | Every Saturday, 12-3 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE drop-in art projects for all ages and skill levels | Museum Info​

Guided Museum Tours | Select Sundays at 1 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE guided tours through all 5 galleries (Dec 14) | Museum Tours​

Paint 'n Sip with Petra Radcliffe | Monthly Fridays, 5-7 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Recreate masterworks while sipping. $25 members/$35 non-members, 16+ to paint/21+ to sip | Museum Programs​

Farmers Market | Every Wednesday & Saturday | 201 Garrison Ave | Local produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, crafts. Wed & Sat mornings through December | Market Info​

Prince Hamlet's Open Stage | Monthly | Club Kinkead's, 1004 Garrison Ave | Open mic/performance night | Downtown Events​

Mark's Game Night | Monthly | Club Kinkead's, 1004 Garrison Ave | Board game gatherings | Downtown Calendar​

Bookish StoryTime | Regular schedule | The Bakery District | Children's storytime and activities | Bakery District​

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

What this means: Major infrastructure work approved November 4 to fix 75,350 feet of sewer pipes and 247 manholes two projects delayed for study session after bids came in $16M over estimates

Fort Smith Board of Directors approved significant consent decree work while tabling a $17.741 million project and $9.111 million contract that exceeded initial engineering estimates by nearly double. Directors Christina Catsavis and Kevin Settle pushed for study session review before voting.

Here's what to know:

Special meeting called for November 10 to potentially vote on delayed projects two directors surprised items appeared on voting agenda instead of study session discussion​

Read the full article

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

What this means: All-day review session scheduled as finance director expresses low confidence in balancing budget general fund balance projected to drop from $34.4M to $11.8M by end of 2026

Annual budget hearing begins November 17 at 8:30 AM as city leaders confront proposed $8.092 million deficit with $53.7 million revenue against $61.8 million expenses. Police and fire departments account for $36.8 million in expenditures.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article

EDUCATION

What this means: Woods Elementary recognized for top 6-10% performance statewide, Cavanaugh Elementary for top 6-10% growth funds awarded November 6 for educator excellence

Arkansas Department of Education recognized Woods Elementary with $23,025 and Cavanaugh Elementary with $13,075 for achievement under state accountability system. District also received first-ever letter grade of C under new state district-level grading system.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article

PUBLIC SAFETY

What this means: Board tabled vote November 4 on Motorola radio infrastructure for new River Valley Communications Center city would shoulder 70% of long-term costs for emergency communication tower

Plans to consolidate Fort Smith and Sebastian County 911 centers into regional River Valley Communications Center progressing but financial concerns over radio tower project delayed approval until November 10 study session. Total construction and equipment costs exceed $10 million.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article

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