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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️

Another beautiful week in our Arkansas River gem, where the coffee's strong at Olive, the State Fair wraps up this weekend, and there's always something happening downtown. Whether you're planning your weekend around live music or catching up on community developments, we've got your local pulse covered. 

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Your Neighbour

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

What this means: Families can register new students and kindergarteners a full month early, starting Dec. 1, before the state's new Jan. 1 school choice window opens. First chance for Fort Smith families to lock in their neighborhood school under new Act 732 law.

Fort Smith Public Schools is launching early registration Dec. 1 to give local families first access before state school choice applications open statewide Jan. 1, 2026 a major shift from previous years when new families waited until February to register.

Here's what to know:

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

What this means: Fort Smith's landmark downtown hotel at 700 Rogers Ave. is on the market after being listed Oct. 8, with potential buyers evaluating a property connected to the Convention Center and Performing Arts Center. Sale could reshape downtown hospitality landscape.

The nine-story Wyndham Fort Smith City Center originally opened in 1986 as Embassy Suites is for sale through Atlanta-based Hodges Ward Elliott, with industry estimates placing the value between $12.1 million and $36.3 million based on its 242 rooms.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article​

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

What this means: New car wash debuts at 2121 S Zero St with limited-time promotions and community fundraiser. All $1 MVP wash proceeds support United Way of Fort Smith programs addressing critical local needs.

Club Car Wash celebrated its Fort Smith grand opening this week at the former Shorty's Car Wash location, launching memberships at $10/month for three months and offering the first 250 customers scratch-off tickets for prizes including a $3,500 vacation package.

Here's what to know:

Read the full article​

FSPS employees pledge $38,000 to United Way District staff increased charitable giving by $5,000 over 2024, with Kimmons Middle School leading secondary schools at $3,383 pledged. Read more​

Cocoa Crawl returns Nov. 29 Over 30 downtown businesses offer free hot cocoa 2 5 p.m., plus tree lighting and live music at Cisterna Park from 5 6 p.m.; first 100 attendees get commemorative mugs. Read more​

New Visitor Center opens Dec. 9 Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau cuts ribbon at 524 Garrison Ave. with 11 a.m. ceremony followed by noon 1 p.m. open house featuring interactive displays and trip-planning resources. Read more​

ABB earns Diamond environmental status Fort Smith manufacturer joins top tier of Arkansas Natural State Stewardship Program Nov. 13, commits to 100% reduction in emissions by 2050 across 2,200-employee operation. Read more​

🎄 Fort Smith Christmas Parade | December 13 | Downtown Fort Smith | Fort Smith's 85th annual Christmas parade lights up downtown at 3pm, featuring decorated floats, community groups, and holiday spirit​ | Event Info

🎭 The Nutcracker (40th Annual) | December 13-14 | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Western Arkansas Ballet's 40th anniversary production features 115+ local performers, professional guest artists, and the beloved journey to the Land of Sweets​ | Tickets

🎶 Fort Smith Symphony: I'll Be Home for Christmas | December 6 | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Family-friendly holiday concert featuring classics like The Nutcracker and Sleigh Ride with vocalists Emily & Patti Drennan. After-party at The Bakery District at 8:30pm​ | Info

🎉 New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks | December 31 | 6th & Garrison, Downtown | Family-friendly celebration 8pm-12:30am with inflatables, food trucks, DJ, photo booth, and midnight fireworks display. Garrison Avenue closed for the event​ | Details

Anella & Rhyan Besco | November 29, 7pm | The Majestic | SOSRIVERBOY II concert with Trevor Phelps, beem!, Aidin Farrar, DJ Swilsonn​ | Tickets

David Nail | December 5, 8pm | The Majestic | Country music concert​ | Tickets

Bluffett - Jimmy Buffett Tribute | December 6, 7pm | The Majestic | Winter Beach Bash tribute show​ | Tickets

Velcro Pygmies | December 12, 8:30pm | The Majestic | Live performance​ | Tickets

American Aquarium | December 13, 7pm | The Majestic | Rock concert with Blue Cactus​ | Tickets

Bingo Loco | December 19, 7pm | Fort Smith Convention Center | Unhinged interactive bingo party experience​ | Tickets

Jamie Lissow: Better Off Dad | December 21, 7:30pm | TempleLive Fort Smith | Comedy show​ | Tickets

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings | December 19, 6:30pm | United States Marshals Museum | Intimate candlelit string quartet performing holiday classics​ | Tickets

Holiday Express Opening Night | December 1, 5:30pm | Creekmore Park | Free train rides through animated holiday lights display. Runs nightly 5:30-8:30pm through December 27 (closed Sundays)​ | Info

Fort Smith Library Holiday Open House | December 8, 1-5pm | Main Library | 22nd annual event with music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays, refreshments. Free admission, bring non-perishable food donation​ | Details

Fort Smith Museum of History Christmas Open House | December 13, 12-2pm | Fort Smith Museum of History | Free cookies, hot cocoa, family activities before the Christmas Parade​ | RSVP

RAM Holiday Art Party | December 6, 11am-3pm | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Free holiday crafts, cookies, photo backdrop, visit with Santa​ | Info

Van Buren Christmas at the Parks | November 21-January 1 | Freedom Park & Dr. Louis Peer Park | Drive-thru and walk-thru light displays featuring 35-foot Freedom Christmas Tree, ice skating rink, 85-foot light tunnel, 50+ animated displays​ | Details

Van Buren Christmas Parade | December 13, 6pm | Downtown Van Buren Main Street | "Holiday in Whoville" themed parade, free event​ | Info

Pancakes with the Grinch | December 6 | TBD | Parks & Recreation holiday event​ | Info

Hearts of Gold Classic 5K | December 6 | Fort Smith | Project Compassion charity run/walk​ | Register

Greenwood Chamber Yule Run 5K | December 13, 9am | Greenwood | Holiday-themed 5K with awards for best holiday dressed runners, door prizes. Early registration $25 by November 29​ | Register

Holiday 5K, 10K, Half Marathon | December 20 | Ben Geren Regional Park | Holiday-themed race series​ | Register

New Year 5K, 10K, Half Marathon | January 3 | Ben Geren Regional Park | Start the new year with a race! Three distance options on out-and-back course. 8:30am start​ | Register

Battle at the Fort Volleyball Tournament | January 26-27 & February 7-8 | Fort Smith Convention Center | Youth volleyball tournament for ages 10-18​ | Info

A-String Fort Smith Concert | November 16, 3pm | St. John's Episcopal Church | Free concert featuring advanced high school and college string musicians​ | Info

Michael Warrick: Spirits Exhibition | Through February 8 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Arkansas Living Treasure artist lecture December 12, 5:30pm. Free admission​ | Info

Beginning Drawing for Young Artists | December 11-12, 2-3:30pm | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Two-day class with teen artist Ayree Maner. $10 per student​ | Register

Fort Smith Little Theatre: Closed for the Holidays | December 11-13, 7:30pm | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Off-season comedy production about travelers stranded at a community center on Christmas Eve. $8 admission​ | Tickets

Exit Laughing | Through November 23, 7:30pm | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Bridge club buddies "borrow" ashes of deceased member for one last game night​ | Tickets

Fort Smith Little Theatre: Exit Laughing | Running through November | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Comedy about friendship and bridge club hijinks​ | Tickets

First Friday Breakfast Series | December 5, 7:30am | UAFS Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center | Guest speaker: Randy Zook, President/CEO Arkansas State Chamber. Networking and breakfast​ | Register

Business Brew Series | December 16, 8-9am | Lites Etcetra | Monthly morning networking with coffee and light breakfast. Free for members, $5 for guests​ | Register

Business After Hours | December 18 | TBD | Fourth quarter networking event with beverages, appetizers, and connections​ | Register

Women's Leadership Summit | December 4 | Arkansas Colleges of Health Education | Leadership-focused symposium featuring industry experts, C-suite executives, and professional development. Networking and skill-building​ | Register

UAFS Season's Greetings Concert | December 2, 7pm | ArcBest Performing Arts Center | Free concert featuring all major UAFS music ensembles with holiday favorites and sing-along​ | Info

Christmas Honors Wreath-Laying | December 5-6 | Fort Smith Convention Center & National Cemetery | Wreath assembly workshop December 5, 8am-2pm. Main wreath-laying December 6, 8am-10:30am with public ceremony at 11am​ | Info

Fort Smith Trail of Holiday Lights | November-December | Downtown Fort Smith | Creekmore Holiday Express animated lights, Garrison Avenue window displays, Fort Smith National Cemetery wreaths​ | Info

First Day Hike | January 1 | Lake Fort Smith State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, Queen Wilhelmina State Park | New Year's Day guided hikes at state parks​ | Info

Fort Smith Farmers Market | Wednesdays & Saturdays, 7am-12pm (8am-12pm in winter) | 201 Garrison Avenue | Year-round market with fresh produce, meats, flowers, baked goods, crafts​ | Info

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

Paint 'n Sip | Monthly Fridays, 5:30-8pm | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Recreate masterpieces with Petra Radcliffe. Next: December 19 - Winter Landscape by Kandinsky. $25 members/$35 non-members​ | Register

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