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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
It's parade day in our Arkansas River gem—grab your spot on Garrison Avenue early because 3 PM comes fast. Whether you're bundling up for the Christmas Parade, catching the Western Arkansas Ballet's 40th Nutcracker this weekend, or keeping one eye on next Monday's $17M budget vote, we've got your local intel covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🎄 Parade Day Is Here — Christmas Parade rolls through downtown today at 3 PM. Streets close at 2:30, so plan your parking now.
💰 $17M Budget Cuts Hit the Board Monday — 71 vacant positions eliminated, including 14 from police and fire. December 16 vote is open to the public.
✈️ Singapore Jets Locked for 2026 — $353M investment bringing 400 personnel to Ebbing. Building permits already topped $240M this year.
🗳️ Special Election Early Voting Opens Dec 30 — Senate District 26 seat up for grabs. Six polling locations confirmed.
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—Your Neighbour
📅 This Week in Fort Smith
Your insider guide to what matters most this week
Must-Attend Events
🎭 Fort Smith Christmas Parade | Saturday, December 13, 3:00 PM | Downtown Fort Smith (Garrison & Rogers Ave, 6th-12th St) | Fort Smith's signature holiday event with floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer. Streets close at 2:30 PM. | Facebook Event
🎄 Holiday Express at Creekmore Park | December 1-27 (Nightly, 5:30-8:30 PM; No Sundays; Closed Dec 24-25) | Creekmore Park, 3301 S M Street | Free family rides through holiday lights with complimentary hot cocoa, tree lighting, and character meet-and-greets. A Fort Smith tradition. | Creekmore Park Info
🎭 The Nutcracker - Western Arkansas Ballet | Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM & Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center | The 40th annual performance featuring 115+ local dancers. Professional artists perform alongside community talent. | Tickets & Info
🎪 St. Boniface Christkindlmarkt | Saturday, December 6, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM | St. Boniface Church, 1820 N B Street | Charming old-world German holiday market with vendors, traditional German food, and festive holiday music. | Event Details
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
An Evening with Jane Austen | Tuesday, December 16, 6:30 PM | Bonneville House | Literary and cultural event celebrating the author. | Eventbrite
👪 Family-Friendly
Christmas Winter Wonderland | Weekends in December | 7300 Wells Lake Road | Santa photos, Mrs. Claus story time, Santa's Express Train, Christmas movies, character appearances (Elsa, Anna, Rudolph, Frosty), hot cocoa, cookies, and gift shop. | Winter Wonderland Info
Candy Canes & Gingerbread Lanes | Friday, December 19, 9:00 AM | The Bakery District | Holiday-themed family fun with games, treats, and festive activities in downtown's beloved shopping district. | Eventbrite
Noon Year's Eve Party (Family Style) | Tuesday, December 31, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive | Family-friendly early New Year's celebration with decorate-your-own-pancakes brunch, disco ball dancing, and balloon drop countdown at noon. | U.S. Marshals Museum
🏃 Sports & Fitness
RAM Saturdays | Every Saturday, 12:00-3:00 PM (Year-round) | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue | FREE drop-in make-and-take art projects for all ages and skill levels. No registration required. | RAM
First Day Hike - January 1, 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | Lake Fort Smith State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, Queen Wilhelmina State Park | FREE guided hikes throughout Arkansas state parks to start the new year. Parking fees waived. | Arkansas State Parks
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🎨 Arts & Culture
Black Out Poetry Event | Saturday afternoon, 5:30 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Creative poetry workshop and performance art. | Eventbrite
Opening Reception: Collaborative Pandemic Art | Friday, January 16, 2026, 5:00-7:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue | Opening reception for new collaborative art exhibition. | RAM
Paint 'N Sip with Petra Radcliffe | Once monthly | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | $25 members / $35 non-members. Recreate masterworks while enjoying beverages. All skill levels welcome. 16+ to paint / 21+ to sip. | RAM Programs
Intermediate Acrylic Workshop | Thursday & Friday, January 22-23, 2026, 5:30-8:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | $50 per student (ages 16+). All supplies included. | RAM Education
Art Start for Kids | Every Wednesday, 1:00-2:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE creative art activities for little ones. Registration required. | RAM Programs
Homeschool Art Classes | Every other Tuesday, FREE | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE creative classes for homeschooled children. Registration required. | RAM Programs
Guided Tours at RAM | Sundays at 1:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE guided tours led by trained gallery educators covering all galleries and artist techniques. | RAM
🎓 Education & Business
Pop-Up Shop Fundamentals for New Entrepreneurs | Saturday, 7:00 PM | Virtual (Online) | Online business workshop for entrepreneurs launching pop-up shops. | Eventbrite
Fort Smith Home Show 2026 | Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2026 | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th Street | 140+ vendors showcasing home products, services, design innovations, smart home technology, landscaping, and remodeling solutions. Seminars, giveaways, kids' activities. Admission: $5 adults; kids 17 & under FREE; veterans FREE on Saturday. | Home Builders Association
VA Home Loan Seminar at Home Show | Saturday, February 15, 2026, 1:00 PM | Fort Smith Convention Center | Informative session on VA renovation loans. Free admission for veterans. | Home Show Details
And Then There Were None - Fort Smith Little Theatre | February 19-28, 2026 | Fort Smith Little Theatre | Mystery production. Check website for showtimes and ticket pricing. | FSLT 2026 Season
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday, 7:00 AM-Noon (Year-round; Dec-Feb 8:00 AM-Noon) | Downtown Fort Smith, 2nd & Garrison Avenue | Authentic farmers market with 70+ vendors. Fresh produce, local honey, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, and handcrafted items. Dog-friendly. No entry fee. | Fort Smith Farmers Market Facebook
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Wednesday Visits | Wednesday, 7:00 AM-Noon (Seasonal: June-September) | Downtown Fort Smith, 2nd & Garrison Avenue | Smaller vendor selection on weekday visits. | Farmers Market Info
Creekmore Express Holiday Light Trail | December 1-27, 5:30-8:30 PM (No Sundays; Closed Dec 24-25) | Creekmore Park, 3301 S M Street | Free festive train rides through decorated park with hot cocoa. Walk the lit trail for holiday memories. | City of Fort Smith
New Year's Eve Celebrations (Alternative to Ball Drop) | Tuesday, December 31, Various Times | Multiple Fort Smith Venues | Bubbles & Bow Ties (7:00 PM-1:00 AM) at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Health and Wellness Center - Methodist Village Senior Living Foundation event. NYE Winterball (8:00 PM-1:00 AM) at Vinnie's Pies - dress to the nines for music, charcuterie, finger foods, winter-themed cocktails. Brew Year's Eve (10:00 PM-2:00 AM) at Fort Smith Brewing Co. - DJ, champagne toast, balloon drop. | AY Magazine New Year's Events
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Saturdays Year-Round | Every Saturday, 7:00 AM-Noon (Dec-Feb 8:00 AM-Noon) | 2nd & Garrison Avenue, Downtown Fort Smith | 70+ vendors with seasonal produce, crafts, baked goods. Dog-friendly. | Farmers Market
Art Start for Little Ones | Every Wednesday, 1:00-2:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | FREE art activities. Registration required. | RAM Programs
Friday Night Lights | Friday evenings, 8:00 PM (Recurring) | Electric Cowboy Fort Smith | Weekly social dancing and entertainment. | Electric Cowboy
Karaoke Nights | Recurring at multiple venues | Old Town Grain & Feed, Recovery Room Club, Lost Beach, Prohibition, Ava's Place, Foxfire Club, Mad Ox Bar & Tap | Weekly karaoke entertainment at various downtown Fort Smith establishments. | Discover Fort Smith
Live Music at Local Restaurants & Bars | Ongoing | Old Town Grain & Feed, JJ's Grill Fort Smith, Recovery Room Club, Hero's, Shooter's Bar & Grill, Neumeier's Rib Room, The Majestic, Temple Live | Regularly scheduled live music entertainment. Check individual venues for specific schedules. | Discover Fort Smith
Levitt AMP Concert Series | Spring & Fall (Next series: Check website for Spring 2026) | Harry E. Kelley River Park Amphitheater, 121 Riverfront Drive | FREE family-friendly concerts with live music, kid zones, food trucks. | Levitt AMP Fort Smith
Quick Hits
Kiln & Keg Fundraiser for Adaptive Arts - Ceramics and art fundraiser benefiting adaptive arts programs - Eventbrite
Self-Care City Scavenger Hunt - Wellness-focused downtown exploration adventure - Eventbrite
Christmas at Sacred Pines - Y City festive experience and activities - December 19-21 | Sacred Pines
Holiday Trail of Lights - Multi-city light displays throughout December - Altus, Booneville, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Ozark, Paris, Van Buren | Visit West Arkansas
Chester Monte's Murder Mystery Theater - Interactive mystery dinner experience with multiple performance dates - Eventbrite
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt - Combine scavenger hunt, amazing race & walking tour downtown - Puzzling Adventures
Sidewalk Secrets of Fort Smith - Two-mile downtown scavenger hunt exploring Fort Smith history - Let's Roam
Razorback Alumni Watch Party & Brunch Social - Sports viewing and networking with fellow alumni - Eventbrite
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt - Self-guided downtown exploration puzzle hunt - Let's Roam
Fort Smith Little Theatre 2026 Season - Six productions including "And Then There Were None" (Feb 19-28), "Drinking Habits" (March 28), "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" (May 16), "The Addams Family Musical" (July 4) - FSLT Season Packages
📰 Fort Smith News You Can Use
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
Fort Smith's 2026 budget proposes $17M in cuts, eliminates 71 vacant positions
What this means: City services stay intact but police and fire lose 14 positions combined—board votes December 16
Fort Smith's draft 2026 budget cuts nearly $17 million across four operating funds to address a projected $15.56 million general fund deficit. The plan eliminates 71 vacant positions citywide, including 8 police officer slots and 6 firefighter positions, while reducing the Convention Center subsidy by $235,000.
Here's what to know:
The December 16 Board of Directors meeting is the final vote on the 2026 budget—attendance is open to the public
Police Department budget drops by $473,515 from field operations; $1.548M cut from River Valley Communications Center
General fund reserve projected at 34.7% after cuts, down from $35.4M at end of 2024 to $19.9M by end of 2025
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Fort Smith police detective faces battery charges after August pool party incident
What this means: Officer on desk duty since August as internal investigation continues—department requested outside agency handle case
Detective Evelin Salas, 23, was arrested December 8 on misdemeanor charges of third-degree battery and disorderly conduct after allegedly breaking another woman's nose at an August 16 pool party. Chief Danny Baker requested the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office investigate the incident independently.
Here's what to know:
Salas was released on $1,500 bond within two hours of arrest; she has been on desk duty since August
The incident occurred at a pool party in the 1000 block of North 40th Street and escalated to a second location
An internal department investigation remains ongoing alongside the criminal case
[ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT]
Fort Smith building permits hit $240M through November, Singapore jets on track for 2026
What this means: Local construction activity up 4.5% year-over-year—foreign pilot training center bringing 400 personnel and $353M investment
Fort Smith issued over $240 million in building permits through November 2025, part of a regional total expected to exceed $300 million by year's end. The Ebbing Air National Guard Base expansion continues driving growth, with Singapore committing $353 million for its own campus at the facility.
Here's what to know:
Singapore's 12 F-35B jets arrive late 2026; F-16 fighters follow summer 2027 with 300-400 personnel stationed locally
Regional permitted construction (Fort Smith, Greenwood, Van Buren) up 13% compared to same period in 2024
Total Ebbing training center buildout estimated at $807 million, with $600 million in federal funds appropriated since 2021
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Federal agents join investigation into Bonanza mother and two children found dead
What this means: Secret Service and Homeland Security now assisting local investigators—no suspect named as search warrants multiply
Federal investigators have joined the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office in the investigation of three apparent gunshot deaths discovered December 3 during a welfare check in Bonanza. Charity Beallis, 40, and two children were found after Beallis failed to appear for an emergency court hearing in her divorce proceedings.
Here's what to know:
Investigators have served approximately six search warrants with a dozen more pending; no suspect has been named
Agencies involved include Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Arkansas State Police, and Fort Smith, Greenwood, and Bonanza police departments
Beallis's husband had been ordered to have no contact with her after pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery in February 2025
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
Senate District 26 special election set for January 6; early voting begins December 30
What this means: Sebastian County voters can cast ballots at six locations—early voting opens in 17 days
The Sebastian County Election Commission approved six polling sites for the January 6 special primary election to fill the state Senate District 26 seat. One location will also serve as the early voting site beginning December 30.
Here's what to know:
Early voting runs December 30 through January 6 primary election day
Six polling locations approved across Sebastian County for in-person voting
Contact Sebastian County Election Commission at (479) 782-1046 for polling location details
Quick updates
Acting City Administrator cleared in FOIA case - Special prosecutor decided Jeff Dingman will face no criminal charges related to Freedom of Information Act violations found in earlier civil suit against him and the city. - Link
Film Festival reaches 330M globally in 2025 - Fort Smith International Film Festival's five-year media reach now exceeds 2.2 billion people worldwide; 2026 festival dates and Singapore partnership to be announced in January. - Link
Kindergarten enrollment opens early - Fort Smith Public Schools now accepting registrations for 900-1,000 expected kindergartners through January, moved up from February due to expanded state school choice window. - Link
Highway 71B improvements move forward - Federal Highway Administration issued approval for drainage and pedestrian safety upgrades along 3.8 miles of Towson Avenue between Highway 271 and Highway 64. - Link
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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Your Neighbor
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