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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️ Sunday's forecast tops out near 101°F under clear skies, so if you're headed to Downtown JunkFest or the IFBBA bass tournament on the Arkansas River, plan ahead for the heat.
Another scorcher of a week in our River Valley, where the Crawford County Fair wraps its run in Mulberry and the Bakery District keeps the weekend social calendar full. Whether you're grilling out on the porch or catching a downtown reception, there's plenty to plug into.
Here's what's making waves this week:
🚨 Highway 71 tragedy - A head-on crash near Greenwood killed two Huntington residents and injured two more.
💧 $919,000 Denali contract tabled - The board delayed its Denali Water Solutions vote to Sept. 15 over bidding and odor concerns.
👶 Fort FireFly opens - The $2.3 million childcare center on Euper Lane is now enrolling its 89 licensed spots.
🎸 A Man Named Cash & Crawford County Fair - Alma's estate-endorsed Johnny Cash tribute and Mulberry's county fair both wrap up big weekends.
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-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Head-on crash near Greenwood kills two, injures two on Highway 71
What this means: A Sept. 5 crash on U.S. 71 four miles south of Greenwood killed two Huntington residents and injured two more, and Arkansas State Police are still investigating the cause.
A southbound Ford crossed the centerline on U.S. 71 near Greenwood Sept. 5, killing two Huntington residents and injuring two more.
Here's what to know:
The crash happened at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, on U.S. 71 about four miles south of Arkansas 10 near Greenwood.
Leslie Dewayne Elmore, 46, and Penny Roberts, 48, both of Huntington, died when their northbound Chevrolet Silverado overturned after being struck.
Two survivors, Kelsey Hamilton, 24, and Richard Roberts, 48, were taken to Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith and Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
Fort Smith board tables $919,000 Denali contract over bidding, odor concerns
What this means: The board postponed a $919,000 lagoon-waste contract until its Sept. 15 meeting after directors questioned Denali Water Solutions being the lone bidder and the company's odor-complaint history in Crawford County.
Fort Smith's board tabled a $919,000 contract with Denali Water Solutions Sept. 2, citing a single bidder and past odor complaints, until Sept. 15.
Here's what to know:
The $919,000 contract would clear water-treatment residuals from backwash lagoons at the Lake Fort Smith and Lee Creek treatment plants over 90 days.
Director Neal Martin objected that Denali was the only bidder; Director Christina Catsavis cited a 2025 Crawford County odor-permit fight residents opposed.
The board revisits the contract at its next regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Fort Smith City Hall.
[ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT]
Fort FireFly childcare center opens at 5400 Euper Lane with $2.3 million investment
What this means: The Town Branch Foundation's $750,000 gift helped fund a $2.3 million childcare center licensed for 89 children ages 6 weeks to 5, with enrollment opening now in phases at 5400 Euper Lane.
Fort FireFly opened Sept. 6 at 5400 Euper Lane with a $750,000 Town Branch Foundation gift toward a $2.3 million budget serving 89 children.
Here's what to know:
Fort FireFly, at 5400 Euper Lane, is licensed for 89 children ages 6 weeks to 5 and can serve about 150 daily through staggered scheduling.
Tuition follows the Department of Defense fee schedule, capped near 7% of household income per child, and includes care during military drill weekends.
Enrollment is opening in phases as staff are hired; apply or check availability at fortfirefly.com.
Quick updates
Main Street Fort Smith reports $4.3 million in downtown investment - Main Street Fort Smith logged $4.3 million in downtown property investment for the first half of 2026, including 3 new businesses and $82,249 from mini-grants. - Read more
Officers rally around colleague's family after house fire - Fort Smith police and Lodge 39 raised $5,245 toward a $6,500 goal for Officer Jonathan Mounts' family after a house fire destroyed their home. - Read more
Sebastian County wages outpace Crawford County's decline - Sebastian County's average weekly wage rose 2.1% to $1,101 in early 2026, while Crawford County's fell 2.9% to $934, new federal data shows. - Read more
Chamber names Dr. Voris 2026 Physician of the Year - Fort Smith Regional Chamber named Dr. Justin Voris of Core Health its 2026 Physician of the Year, honored Sept. 17 at the Marshals Museum. - Read more
It's Here: Pique's New Caffeine-Free Afternoon Energy
I quit my afternoon coffee. Not because I wanted to — because I found something better.
You know that wall you hit every day around 2–3 PM? I used to just accept it as the cost of doing anything. Another coffee, a quick spike, then the crash — and somehow I'd still feel dehydrated by dinner.
Then I tried X·E Fountain, Pique's brand-new electrolyte energy drink, and I genuinely wasn't ready for how good "no crash" could feel.
No caffeine jitters. No 4 PM slump. Just clean, steady energy that actually hydrates me instead of draining me. It's built with a premium Vitamin B Complex for natural cellular energy, Magnesium Malate + Taurate for real focus, and a full electrolyte blend that makes it feel like a treat, not a chore.
The cucumber-celery-lime flavor is so crisp and refreshing — it's basically stolen my afternoon coffee slot completely.
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎸 A Man Named Cash - Saturday, September 19, 7:30-9:30 PM · Skokos PAC, 103 E Main Street, Alma
Johnny Cash tribute starring Eric Hofmanis, the vocalist chosen by the Cash estate for its official concert experience; tickets $31.61-$45.78 including fees, senior/military discounts by phone at (479) 632-2129. 📅 Add to calendar
🎡 Crawford County Fair - Through Saturday, September 19 · Kirksey Park, Mulberry
Crawford County's annual community fair wraps its run this week with rides, exhibits, and livestock shows at the county fairgrounds; see the fair's website for the day-by-day schedule. 📅 Add to calendar
🎨 Opening Reception: Of Wanderlust & Thresholds / The Lost Highway - Friday, September 18, 5:00-7:00 PM · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Free public reception launching two new exhibitions - Aaron Bleidt's "Of Wanderlust & Thresholds: Stillness in Motion" and David Malcolm Rose's "The Lost Highway" - both on view through January 17. 📅 Add to calendar
🎣 IFBBA National Team Black Bass Tournament - Concludes Sunday, September 13 · Fort Smith Park, 5301 Riverfront Dr, Fort Smith
Competitive bass tournament on the Arkansas River with a $5,000 guaranteed first-place payout; the tournament, which began Saturday, wraps up on its final day, Sunday. 📅 Add to calendar
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
🎤 Brent Gidden's Band - Friday, September 18, 8:00 PM · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free live band show on the casino's weekend lineup, minutes from downtown Fort Smith. 21+ only. 📅 Add to calendar
🎤 Pretty Big Deal - Saturday, September 19, 8:00 PM · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free live band closes out the casino's weekend music lineup. 21+ only. 📅 Add to calendar
👪 Family-Friendly
🛍️ Downtown JunkFest - Day Two - Sunday, September 13, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM · Historic Main Street, 800 Main Street, Van Buren
Second and final day of the outdoor vintage/repurposed market with antiques, architectural salvage, handmade treasures, and food vendors along Main Street. Free to browse. 📅 Add to calendar
🏃 Sports & Fitness
🚴 Bikes at the Bakery - Friday, September 18, 6:00-8:00 PM · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Monthly third-Friday group social bike ride starting and ending at The Bakery District; casual pace, all riders welcome. Free. 📅 Add to calendar
🎨 Arts & Culture
🌮 Flavor Lab vol. II: The Margarita Flavor Lab - Sunday, September 13 · The Candy Loft, 723 Martin Drive, Fort Smith
Hands-on cocktail workshop exploring margarita variations, the second installment of the Flavor Lab series. 21+. 📅 Add to calendar
🍽️ Chefs for a Cause: September Dinner - Monday, September 14 · Digs FS, 70 S 7th St Suite C, Fort Smith (downtown)
Monthly ticketed charity dinner spotlighting local culinary talent; the August kickoff raised over $8,000 for local causes. Tickets via ozarkstix.com. 📅 Add to calendar
🎭 Hispanic American Heritage Month Exhibit - Opens Tuesday, September 15 · Fort Smith Museum of History, Boyd Gallery, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
New exhibit featuring art, culture, and history representative of Hispanic and Latin American countries; museum open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM. 📅 Add to calendar
🎓 Education & Business
💼 Second Chance Open House: Job & Resource Fair - Thursday, September 17, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM · Crawford County Adult Education Center, 301 Mount Vista Boulevard, Van Buren
Job and resource fair connecting job seekers with area employers and support services; free to attend. 📅 Add to calendar
💻 Kids, Clicks & AI: What Every Adult Needs to Know - Friday, September 18, 10:00-11:30 AM · Arts On Main (Event Center behind AOM), 415 Main Street, Van Buren
Community education session for parents and caregivers on kids' online safety and AI tools; hosted by Arts On Main. 📅 Add to calendar
🏛️ The River Valley Has A Choice - Sunday, September 13, 1:00-4:00 PM · Fort Smith Convention Center Theater, 55 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Community gathering billed by organizers as "something big happening in Fort Smith"; check the Convention Center calendar for full program details. 📅 Add to calendar
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
_See Bikes at the Bakery under Sports & Fitness and Critter Crunch under Recurring Events for this week's outdoor programming._
⌚️ Recurring Events
Monday, September 14
🎱 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo - Monday, September 14, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Weekly bingo night at the bowling alley's dining room, $5 buy-in with cash prizes for winners. 📅 Add to calendar
☕ Morning Mugs Networking/1143/) - Monday, September 14, 7:00-8:00 AM · Fort Smith Coffee Company, 1101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
Weekly small-business and entrepreneur networking meetup at the OG downtown coffeehouse location. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Windsor Branch Library - Monday, September 14, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Windsor Branch, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime with books, songs, and movement for kids and caregivers. 📅 Add to calendar
🍻 Trivia Night @ The Hangout - Monday, September 14, 7:00-9:00 PM · The Social Club @ The Hangout, 5400 Gary St, Fort Smith
21+, upstairs only; free to play with prizes for top three teams. 📅 Add to calendar
Tuesday, September 15
👶 Wiggle Worms Storytime - Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime geared to babies 0-24 months, with rhymes and simple stories. 📅 Add to calendar
🚵 Taco 2sday Ride (Mountain Biking)/1570/) - Tuesday, September 15, 6:00-8:00 PM · Ben Geren Trails, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith
Weekly community mountain bike ride on the Ben Geren singletrack; check the RVMTB Facebook group for pace and meetup point. 📅 Add to calendar
🎯 Trivia Night - 810 Billiards & Bowling - Tuesday, September 15, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Free weekly trivia in the dining room; bring a team, no cost to play. 📅 Add to calendar
Wednesday, September 16
🌽 Cornhole Trivia - Wednesday, September 16, 6:30 PM · Digs FS, 70 S 7th St, Suite C, Fort Smith
Weekly trivia night with cornhole on the patio and cocktails; outside food allowed during bar hours. 📅 Add to calendar
🎤 Karaoke - The Knotty Pint - Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 PM (also Fridays) · The Knotty Pint, 3910 Towson Ave, Fort Smith
Weekly karaoke nights on Wednesdays and Fridays, with live music on Saturdays. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime & Crafts - Dallas Branch Library - Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Dallas Branch, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith
Free 30-minute storytime with books, music, snacks and crafts for kids and caregivers. 📅 Add to calendar
🎯 King Trivia - 810 Billiards & Bowling - Wednesday, September 16, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Free weekly King Trivia; Happy Hour runs 3-6 PM beforehand. 📅 Add to calendar
🌽 Bags at The Bakery 708 Cornhole - Wednesday, September 16, 6:30-10:30 PM · The Bakery District (Cooler Room), 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith
Competitive cornhole tournament with Competitive, Intermediate, and Backyard divisions and cash payouts. 📅 Add to calendar
🥕 Fort Smith Farmers Market - Wednesday, September 16 & Saturday, September 19, 7:00 AM-Noon · Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison (201 Garrison Ave), Fort Smith (downtown)
Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jams, crafts, and coffee from local vendors; Saturday adds street performers and live music. Free to attend. 📅 Add to calendar
📈 ASBTDC at The Chamber - Wednesday, September 16 · Van Buren Chamber of Commerce office, Van Buren
Free one-on-one small-business counseling with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. 📅 Add to calendar
Thursday, September 17
🎤 Karaoke - Digs FS - Thursday, September 17, 8:00 PM · Digs FS, 70 S 7th St, Suite C, Fort Smith
Weekly Thursday karaoke night at this downtown Bakery District bar. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Main Library - Thursday, September 17, 10:00-10:35 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime with stories, songs, and rhymes for kids and caregivers. 📅 Add to calendar
🎮 Thursday Night Games - Thursday, September 17, dance lessons 8:00 PM, games 10:00 PM · Electric Cowboy, 6107 South 31st Street, Fort Smith
21+, no cover; free dance lessons, games, and $200 in prizes with drink specials all night. 📅 Add to calendar
Friday, September 18
🐍 Critter Crunch: Snake Feeding - Friday, September 18 · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Weekly snake feeding demo; fish feeding happens Saturdays. Free with regular Nature Center admission. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Miller Branch Library - Friday, September 18, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Miller Branch, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime with stories, songs, rhymes and crafts; no registration necessary. 📅 Add to calendar
🌴 Karaoke at Lost Beach - Friday, September 18, 9:00 PM (also Thursdays & Saturdays) · Lost Beach, 1810 South Zero Street, Fort Smith
21+ tropical-themed karaoke bar night at this laid-back beach-style bar; no experience needed, just enthusiasm. 📅 Add to calendar
Saturday, September 19
🐟 Critter Crunch: Fish Feeding - Saturday, September 19 · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Weekly fish-feeding demo in the large aquarium. Free with regular Nature Center admission. 📅 Add to calendar
📖 Bookish StoryTime - Saturday, September 19, 11:00 AM-Noon · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Saturday morning storytelling with a craft activity for kids of all ages. Free, no registration needed. 📅 Add to calendar
Looking Ahead
🎭 Mrs. Doubtfire - Tuesday, September 29, 7:30-9:30 PM · Skokos PAC, 103 E Main Street, Alma
Touring musical based on the film, part of the Skokos PAC season; tickets $54.50-$102.46 including fees. 📅 Add to calendar
Quick Hits
A Man Named Cash - Estate-endorsed Johnny Cash tribute at Skokos PAC in Alma - Saturday, September 19, 7:30 PM, $31.61+
RAM Double Opening - Two new exhibitions launch with a free reception - Friday, September 18, 5-7 PM
$5,000 on the Line - IFBBA bass tournament wraps its second day on the Arkansas River - Sunday, September 13
County Fair's Last Days - Crawford County Fair at Kirksey Park runs through Saturday, September 19
Chefs for a Cause - Monthly charity dinner at Digs FS, August edition raised $8,280 - Monday, September 14
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me exploring what's happening in Fort Smith!
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See you around town,
-Your Neighbor
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