Saturday is doing a lot this week.
There are enough fairs, festivals, races, art, music and family events happening around the River Valley to take over this whole email. So I pulled out a few that deserve more room, then added a quick list of some of the other things happening.
And if none of those sound like your Saturday, keep scrolling. The full calendar has even more.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
THURSDAY: Kids consignment shopping and free live music at the riverfront.
FRIDAY: Levitt AMP is back with a free concert downtown.
SATURDAY: Junk Fest, a big free family event, Hispanic food and culture, the Symphony season opener, pawpaws, art, outdoor activities and a whole lot more.
SUNDAY: One more day of Junk Fest, pine-car racing for the kids, disc golf in Greenwood or a Renaissance Festival road trip.
THURSDAY
Original illustration for Sweet Home River Valley
The Growing Kids Sale is back
Parents, this is the kind of sale where going in with a list might save you from coming home with six things you did not know you needed.
The Growing Kids Fall Sale takes over Kay Rodgers Park Expo Thursday through Saturday with gently used kids clothing, toys and equipment.
Public shopping runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, with 10 a.m. early access for Growing Kids Text Club members. Admission and parking are free.
Free music at the Riverfront
Harbor House Prevention Programs is bringing the Save a Life Concert to the Riverfront Amphitheater Thursday evening as part of National Recovery Month.
Music starts at 5:30 p.m. with Troy Edwards & The Remedies, Scott Bartholomew, and Coco & The Moto Psychos. The event is free and also includes free food and activities.
GOOD TO KNOW TODAY
First Baptist Fort Smith is holding a special lunch on avoiding scams from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown. Presenters Barrett and Wes Milam will cover current scam tactics, how to protect yourself and what to do quickly if you have been scammed.
The lunch is $5, and while it is part of the church's 60+ programming, this particular session is open beyond the usual 60+ group.
FRIDAY
Levitt AMP is back at the river
Friday night gives you an easy free option downtown.
The fall Levitt AMP Fort Smith Music Series continues at Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park with LIVESOSA, plus Playboi Perky and Beem.
Music starts at 6 p.m., and admission is free.
A COUPLE MORE FRIDAY NOTES
If you are an early riser, UAFS Army ROTC's Memorial Stair Climb begins at 6 a.m. at the Stubblefield Center. The community is invited to participate in the 110-flight climb honoring those lost in the Sept. 11 attacks and the first responders who served.
Then Friday evening, UAFS has two art events beginning at 5 p.m.: the opening of Glyphosate Dreams at the Gallery of Art and Design and Small Patches of Land at the Center for Book Arts Gallery.
FOUNDING SPONSOR
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SATURDAY
Go junking on Main Street
If digging through antiques, old signs, vintage clothes and things somebody else nearly threw away sounds like a good Saturday, Van Buren has you covered.
Downtown Junk Fest fills historic Main Street with antiques, architectural salvage, repurposed finds, vintage clothing and jewelry, handmade goods, home décor, food and more.
The festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, then comes back 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Free haircuts, health screenings, food and more at Darby
This one is less about flair and more about being genuinely useful.
The 4th Annual Celebration for Community Connections runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Darby Middle School.
The free event brings together community resources along with health screenings, food, games, door prizes, free haircuts, volunteer opportunities and family activities. It is open to students, families and the broader community.
Come hungry
Original illustration for Sweet Home River Valley
The Hispanic Cultural Festival at Immaculate Conception returns Saturday evening, and the food list alone is enough to get my attention.
Expect homemade tacos, pupusas, Mexican corn, posole, pambazos, cueritos and traditional desserts, along with music and family entertainment.
The festival runs 6 to 11 p.m. in the church parking lot. Admission is free, and organizers have a secured vehicle-free area set aside for children.
The Symphony opens its season
Original illustration for Sweet Home River Valley
The Fort Smith Symphony begins its 2026–27 season Saturday night at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center.
GRAMMY-nominated pianist Han Chen joins the orchestra for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1, followed by Dvořák's Symphony No. 7.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. The Symphony's current ticketing page is still showing an active purchase option. Afterward, the night continues at 9 p.m. at The Bakery District with An Evening with Kevin & Jim.
ALSO HAPPENING SATURDAY
Saturday is packed. Here are a few more worth knowing about, and there’s plenty more on the full calendar:
Fort Smith Boys Home Auto Show | 8 a.m.–noon at the Ben Geren Storm Shelter
Black Sheep 5K & 1 Mile Run | 9 a.m. at Chaffee Crossing, with music and a vendor expo afterward
Boston Mountain Pawpaw Festival | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in Chester, with pawpaw foods, live music, workshops and family activities
WAFDA Disc Golf League | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Barling City Park
Arts On Main: James and the Giant Peach Preview | 11 a.m.–noon at the Fort Smith Public Library
Outdoor Gear Swap Meet | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
RAM Saturdays: 3D Hands | Noon–3 p.m. at Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, free with supplies provided
And that is still not everything happening Saturday.
SUNDAY
Junk Fest gets a second day
If Saturday gets away from you, Downtown Junk Fest continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on historic Main Street in Van Buren.
Got a pine car sitting around?
First Baptist Fort Smith is hosting Kids Race Day from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday in its downtown Fellowship Hall.
Kids can bring a Pine Car Racer and put it on the church's big track.
Or try disc golf in Greenwood
The Western Arkansas Flying Disc Association heads to Fox Run at Bell Park in Greenwood from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The current league listing includes pro, amateur and FUN divisions and specifically welcomes beginners and women and girls.
WORTH THE DRIVE
A Dragon's Masquerade
The Arkansas Renaissance Festival changes themes again this weekend.
A Dragon's Masquerade runs Saturday and Sunday at Dragonstone Springs in Mount Vernon, built around a Venetian-style masquerade with masked characters alongside the festival's regular jousts, performers, artisan market and other activities.
Gates are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, and the official festival site is currently selling tickets.
There is plenty more happening around Fort Smith, Van Buren, Greenwood, Alma, Barling and the rest of the River Valley.
If you find something we should know about, send it our way. Otherwise, go have a good weekend.
THE FULL CALENDAR
Looking for more?
We picked the highlights. The full Sweet Home River Valley calendar has everything we've found happening around Fort Smith and the River Valley.