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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Mid-January fog rolling off the Arkansas River, playoff football chatter at the coffee shops, and city leaders about to make a $6.35 million decision that's been sitting in storage for months.
Here's what's making waves this week:
🏛️ Waterpark slides get their day - Tuesday's Board vote decides whether Fort Smith finally installs those slides at Ben Geren or sells them to recover $3.55M already spent. Three years of delays come down to one meeting.
🎸 Downtown wants more life - 1,172 residents weighed in: live music and family entertainment top the wishlist, while homelessness and vacant storefronts remain the biggest headaches.
🚧 A rare win on the sewer front - $3.3M consent decree project wrapped 56 days early and 24% under budget.
🎭 Candlelight concerts return - Adele tribute Friday, Valentine's specials next month, and the Battle at the Fort volleyball tournament brings two weekends of competition to the Convention Center.
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Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Fort Smith board to decide on $6.35M waterpark slide installation Tuesday
What this means: City leaders must choose between installing already-purchased slides at Ben Geren or selling them to recover $3.55M vote happens January 13
Parrot Island Waterpark's delayed slide project returns to the Board of Directors with a $2.3M installation bid and a $924,935 funding gap that requires adjusting 2026 park budgets.
Here's what to know:
Original $4.2M project now costs $6.35M total; city already spent $3.55M on slides sitting in storage since purchase
Royal Ridge Construction bid $2.339M for installation; additional $350K needed for site amenities like deck expansion
Directors Catsavis propose selling slides to recover funds; Director Settle supports finding financing to complete installation
Study session agenda also includes ACME Brick property development plans (100+ acres) and Miss Laura's Museum renovation ($310K budgeted for siding, parking)
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Downtown residents want more live music and family events
What this means: Main Street Fort Smith's 2026-2030 plan prioritizes entertainment programming after 1,172 survey responses identified homelessness and vacant storefronts as top concerns
Fort Smith residents overwhelmingly requested live music performances (69.8%) and family entertainment venues (37.5%) in a comprehensive downtown development survey conducted last summer.
Here's what to know:
Survey ran July 14–August 31, 2025 with 1,172 total responses (1,067 digital, 105 paper)
Homelessness ranked as leading concern (62.2%), followed by insufficient businesses (42.3%) and vacant storefronts (34.1%)
Main Street Fort Smith's work plan includes expanding arts programming, supporting temporary business activations in vacant spaces, and continuing facade improvement grants
Next survey scheduled in 2-3 years to measure progress
Quick updates
Sewer upgrade finishes 56 days early - City completed $3.311M consent decree project replacing 10,810 feet of sewer main near UAFS and Fort Smith Regional Airport, achieving 24.25% cost savings below original contract. Read more
Arvest Foundation awards $280K locally - 21 organizations in Fort Smith, Alma, Greenwood, and Van Buren received 2025 grants, including $60K to Regional Chamber, $50K to Mercy cancer center, and $40K to Museum of History. Read more
USA Truck stays in Van Buren under new ownership - Former executives George Henry, Zachary King, and James Reed acquired the 2,000-truck logistics company January 9, maintaining headquarters and regional employment after DSV sale. Read more
Federal judge nominee to serve Fort Smith district - President Trump nominated John Thomas Shepherd for Western District of Arkansas, covering 34 counties including Fort Smith; Senate confirmation timeline pending. Read more
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📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎭 Candlelight: Tribute to Adele | Friday, January 16 | United States Marshals Museum | Experience an intimate evening of Adele's greatest hits performed by live musicians in the stunning candlelit setting of the U.S. Marshals Museum. | Get Tickets
🏐 Battle at the Fort Volleyball Tournament | January 31-February 1 & February 7-8 | Fort Smith Convention Center | Two weekends of elite youth volleyball competition featuring the region's top teams. Weekend passes $20, daily admission $12, kids 12 and under free. | Tournament Info
🏠 2026 Home Show | February 20-22 | Fort Smith Convention Center | Over 140 vendors showcasing the latest in home improvement, design, and construction. Perfect for homeowners planning renovations or new builds. | Event Details
🎵 Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special | Saturday, February 14 | United States Marshals Museum | Celebrate Valentine's Day with romantic live music by candlelight. Two shows: 6:30 PM Valentine's Special and 8:30 PM Queen vs. ABBA tribute. | Reserve Your Seats
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Candlelight: Tribute to Adele - Friday, January 16, 6:30 PM | United States Marshals Museum | Intimate candlelit concert featuring Adele's biggest hits. From $37.50 | Tickets
Austin Snell - Thursday, February 12 | The Majestic Fort Smith | Country music concert | Event Info
Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special - Saturday, February 14, 6:30 PM | United States Marshals Museum | Romantic Valentine's Day concert. From $33.50 | Tickets
Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA - Saturday, February 14, 8:30 PM | United States Marshals Museum | Candlelit tribute to two legendary bands. From $42.50 | Tickets
Pecos & The Rooftops - Friday, February 20 | The Majestic Fort Smith | Country music performance | Event Info
Queensrÿche - Saturday, January 24, 8:00 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | Rock legends performing classic hits | Tickets
That Mexican OT - Saturday, February 21, 8:00 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | Hip-hop performance | Event Info
Pam Tillis - Saturday, February 28, 8:00 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | Country music icon performing live | Tickets
👪 Family-Friendly
Bookish StoryTime - Saturdays, January 17, 24, 31, 11:00 AM | The Bakery District | Saturday morning storytime fun for kids of all ages. Free! | Details
Fort Smith Public Library Story Time - Thursdays at 10:00 AM | Main Library | 35 minutes of stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, and crafts | Library Calendar
Fort Smith Public Library Story Time - Fridays at 10:00 AM | Miller Branch Library | Stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children and caregivers | Library Events
LEGO Club - Select dates | Main Library | Design, create, and build with LEGOs. Free with supplies provided | Schedule
Battle at the Fort Volleyball - January 31-February 1 & February 7-8 | Fort Smith Convention Center | Watch elite youth volleyball. Kids 12 and under free | Info
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Frozen Buns Run (12th Annual) - Thursday, January 1, 2026 | 7000 Taylor Avenue | New Year's Day 5K fun run hosted by Western Arkansas Runners. All finishers receive awards. Post-race hot chocolate and chili! | Register
Bags at The Bakery 708 Cornhole - Wednesdays, January 14, 21, 28, 6:30 PM | The Bakery District | Weekly cornhole tournament in a fun social atmosphere | Details
Bikes at the Bakery - Friday, January 16, 6:00 PM | The Bakery District | Monthly group social ride. Join every 3rd Friday | Info
Battle at the Fort Volleyball - January 31-February 1 (10s-14s) & February 7-8 (15s-18s) | Fort Smith Convention Center | Regional youth volleyball tournament. Weekend passes $20, daily $12 | Tournament Details
🎨 Arts & Culture
Vintage Recipes from Arkansas Heritage Cookbooks - All January | Main Library Genealogy Department | Monthly display featuring recipes from the Dixie Cookbook (1958) | View
Intermediate Acrylic Workshop - January 22-23, 5:30-8:00 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Two-day workshop covering color mixing, underpainting, limited palettes, and composition | Register
Annual Invitational Submissions - Deadline: February 28 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | National competitive exhibit honoring professional artists since 1948. Submit your work! | More Info
Blues Jam at The Bakery - Sunday, January 18, 1:00 PM | The Bakery District | Free afternoon of blues music on the patio. Every 3rd Sunday | Info
🎓 Education & Business
SEGUE - Thursday, January 29, 6:30 PM | The Cooler Room (Bakery District) | Community connection event focused on building meaningful relationships | RSVP
Business Brew - Third Tuesday of each month, 8:00 AM | Rotating locations | Fort Smith Chamber monthly morning networking event with coffee and conversation | Chamber Events
2026 Home Show - February 20-22 | Fort Smith Convention Center | Learn from 140+ vendors about home improvement, construction, and design | Show Details
Miller Branch Book Club - Tuesday, January 27, 2:00 PM | Miller Branch Library | Discussion of "Wrong Place Wrong Time" by Gillian McAllister | Library Info
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
First Day Hikes - Thursday, January 1 | Lake Fort Smith State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, Queen Wilhelmina State Park | Ring in the New Year with guided hikes at three beautiful state parks | Arkansas State Parks
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Saturdays, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM (Jan-Feb) | Garrison Ave & N 2nd St | Year-round fresh produce, baked goods, meats, and crafts from 90+ vendors (peak season) | Market Info
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Saturdays 8:00 AM-12:00 PM (January-February) | Garrison Ave & N 2nd St | Weekly outdoor market with local vendors | Details
Bookish StoryTime - Every Saturday, 11:00 AM | The Bakery District | Weekly storytime for kids | Info
Bags at The Bakery - Every Wednesday, 6:30 PM | The Bakery District | Weekly cornhole tournament | Sign Up
Blues Jam - Third Sunday, 1:00 PM | The Bakery District | Free monthly blues music session | Details
Bikes at the Bakery - Third Friday, 6:00 PM | The Bakery District | Monthly group bike ride | Join
Business Brew - Third Tuesday, 8:00 AM | Rotating locations | Chamber networking breakfast | Chamber Calendar
Library Story Times - Thursdays 10:00 AM (Main), Fridays 10:00 AM (Miller Branch) | Fort Smith Libraries | Weekly children's programming | Library Events
Quick Hits
Second Saturday: Winter Sales - Saturday, January 10, 10:00 AM | Van Buren Main Street | Browse downtown sales and specials - Van Buren Events
GAC Basketball Championships - March 5-8 | Fort Smith (Southside & Northside Arenas) | Free admission to top college basketball action - Event Info
Steel Horse Rally - May 1-2 | Downtown Fort Smith & U.S. Marshals Museum | 11th annual motorcycle rally drawing 200,000+ visitors. Free museum admission May 2 - Rally Info
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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