Good morning, River Valley.

This week starts with a Sunday stroll down Main Street, then picks up quickly: the Crawford County Fair opens to the public Tuesday, we found a couple of useful Wednesday events that were easy to miss, and Thursday has enough going on that you’ll actually have to choose.

One quick weather note: it’s still going to feel a lot more like July than fall this week. If your plans are outside, bring water and look for shade.

SUNDAY

Junk hunting on Main Street

Downtown Junk Fest gets one more day in historic downtown Van Buren, with Main Street lined with antiques, vintage finds, architectural salvage, handmade goods, home décor and plenty of things you probably didn’t know you needed until you saw them.

Sunday hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Pine Car Racing

Kids Race Day at First Baptist Fort Smith starts at 11:45 a.m., with kids invited to bring a Pine Car Racer and take a run on the big track.

Disc Golf

And in Greenwood, the WAFDA Sunday disc golf league plays Fox Run at Bell Park from 2–4 p.m., with pro, amateur and FUN divisions.

MONDAY

Build something

The Fort Smith Public Library is breaking out the bricks Monday evening.

LEGO Club runs from 5:30–6:30 p.m. in the Main Library Community Room for school-age kids, tweens and teens. It’s free, the library supplies the LEGOs, and there’s no complicated premise here: show up and build something.

The Big Top

If you’re willing to make the short drive west, Circus Classic also starts its two-night Sallisaw stop Monday at 7 p.m. inside the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds. The 90-minute family show returns again Tuesday night.

TUESDAY

Fair week starts for real

There’s activity at the Crawford County Fair before Tuesday, but Tuesday at 4 p.m. is when the gates officially open to the public at Kirksey Park in Mulberry.

Home economics and horticulture exhibits open from 4–9 p.m., commercial exhibits run until 10, and the evening includes the Tiny Princess, Little Princess and Pre-Teen pageants along with the talent show.

The carnival gets going Wednesday, so Tuesday is the better night if you want to look around before the rides become part of the equation.

A NEW EXHIBIT DOWNTOWN

Tuesday also marks the opening of the Hispanic American Heritage Month exhibit in the Boyd Gallery at the Fort Smith Museum of History. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

And if classical music sounds better than fair food, UAFS faculty cellist Dr. Pecos Singer gives a free recital at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. No ticket is required.

ONE MORE FOR TUESDAY

The CALL in Crawford & Sebastian hosts its annual Restoring Hope Banquet from 5:30–8 p.m. at the ACHE Research Institute. Dinner, music and a silent auction are part of the evening supporting local children and families impacted by foster care. Registration is free, with an opportunity to donate during the event.

WEDNESDAY

A surprisingly useful Wednesday

If you’re thinking about a new job, training or going back to school, the Education Fair & Career Expo runs from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Fort Smith Adult Education Center on Spradling Avenue.

Local education organizations, employers and community-resource groups are expected to be there for people looking at their next step.

MAKE SOMETHING

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is hosting a free Bookmark Making Class from 2–5 p.m. at its Old Greenwood Road office.

Refreshments are available, but space is limited to 40 people, so registration is required.

THEN HIT THE FAIR

Wednesday is also the first carnival night at the Crawford County Fair, with rides open from 4–9 p.m. and armbands available.

THURSDAY

Free music by the river

Thursday’s best all-around pick is downtown.

Levitt AMP Fort Smith returns to Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park at 6 p.m. with John Paul Hodge and Mark Albertson & the Groove Diggers.

It’s free, outdoors and one of those easy “grab a lawn chair and go” nights.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING THURSDAY

Open Mic Night at Dewey’s Café runs from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Fort Smith Public Library. Poets, musicians and other performers can simply show up—no registration required—and listeners are welcome, too.

BBQ, Brews & Blue starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Reynolds Cancer Support House, with free prostate cancer screenings alongside the community event.

And the Crawford County Fair carnival is open again from 4–9 p.m., with armbands available.

One theater heads-up: James and the Giant Peach JR. begins its run at King Opera House Thursday night. Ticket availability has been moving around, so check the live ticket page before making plans.

🎃 FROM THE RIVER VALLEY FIELD GUIDE

Pumpkin-patch season is starting

If “we should go to a pumpkin patch this year” has already been said at your house, we did some of the homework for you.

Our new Pumpkin Patches & Fall Farm Fun Guide compares five fall outings with current season dates, public hours, admission prices, what’s included and the details that can actually change whether a trip is worth making.

Some are simple pumpkin-and-farm-market stops. Others can fill most of a day.

We’ll keep the guide updated as the season moves along.

CIVIC THIS WEEK

Several public meetings land on the calendar this week. Most of the detailed agendas still weren’t posted as of Saturday evening, so if you are interested we will post the link to the meetings page so you can see if it has been updated.

Monday: Fort Smith Public Schools Board Finance Work Session, 5:30 p.m.; Greenwood City Council, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Fort Smith Board of Directors, 6 p.m.; Sebastian County Quorum Court, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Alma City Council, 7 p.m.

That’s the week ahead.

There’s more on the full Sweet Home River Valley calendar, and we’ll be back Thursday morning with the best of Friday through Sunday.

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