Fair savings, local creators, free music and some good news from Alma.
Good morning.
The fair opens Friday, but there’s money to save before then. Two local creators have a new children’s book out Monday. CASA has a fundraiser Tuesday. Wednesday brings some Red Dirt to Fort Smith, and Thursday gives you several good reasons to leave the house.
Here’s what I’d have on your radar this week.
SUNDAY
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
Buy fair tickets before the price goes up
The Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair doesn’t open until Friday, but online advance ticket sales end Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
Adult admission is $12 in advance instead of $15. Youth admission is $6 instead of $8, and an unlimited-ride voucher is $27 instead of $35.
There’s also a 120-ride-credit voucher for $30.
If the fair is already in your plans, buying Sunday saves a few dollars before the gates open Friday.
Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair
Opens Friday, Sept. 25 • Kay Rodgers Park
MONDAY
Two local creators have a new children's book
Local author Ashleigh Pharis and illustrator Alicia Fanning will be at the Fort Smith Public Library Monday afternoon for the launch of A Day for Soufflés.
The story follows the fun and frustration of learning to bake, including the mistakes that happen along the way. It’s the children's-literature debut for both Pharis and Fanning.
You can meet them, pick up a copy and have it signed at the Main Library.
Monday • 4–6 p.m. • Main Library • Fort Smith
TUESDAY
Golf for CASA
The 1st Annual ProLogic/CASA Charity Golf Tournament is Tuesday at Ben Geren.
The tournament supports CASA and its work advocating for children in the community. Registration is open for teams that want to play.
Tuesday • Ben Geren Park • Fort Smith
And one non-golf note for Tuesday: fall officially arrives at 7:05 p.m.
It’s about time.
WEDNESDAY
Red Dirt at JJ's
Oklahoma country and Red Dirt artist Paxton Detroit plays JJ's Grill in Fort Smith Wednesday night.
Detroit got his start behind a drum kit before picking up the guitar at 16. He has since moved into the regional Red Dirt scene and opened for Waylon Wyatt on the Out of the Blue Tour last year.
Wednesday • 6–9 p.m. • JJ's Grill • Fort Smith
THURSDAY
Thursday gives you choices
Thursday is the busiest night of the week. Here are four that stood out.
🎨 Little Works Open Studio
The Bakery District is hosting a free open art studio for kids, with stations set up for painting, clay, watercolor, pastels and other materials.
The idea is simple: give kids supplies and room to make what they want.
Free food and drinks are planned, along with door prizes.
5:30–7 p.m. • The Bakery District • Free
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
🎵 Levitt AMP Fort Smith
Trevor Phelps and Brookwood take the Levitt AMP stage Thursday evening at Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park.
The concert is free. Bring a chair or blanket if you want to settle in for the evening.
The Kids Zone and food trucks will be there, along with free popcorn and water.
6 p.m. • Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park • Free
🍻 Girls Inc. Fest of Ale
Girls Inc. of Fort Smith brings Fest of Ale back to Uncork'd Thursday night.
The fundraiser includes beverage tastings, food from Chef Jasmine and live music from Trey Johnson. Proceeds support Girls Inc. after-school, summer and outreach programs.
5:30–9 p.m. • Uncork'd • 21+
🎭 A Streetcar Named Desire
Fort Smith Little Theatre opens its production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire Thursday night.
FSLT lists the production for mature audiences and notes adult themes, including domestic abuse.
7:30 p.m. • Fort Smith Little Theatre
FOUNDING SPONSOR
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SOMETHING GOOD
Alma businesses are picking up the tab for students
A couple of local businesses have made Friday nights at Airedale Stadium a little easier for Alma students this season.
Airedale Nutrition covered admission for every Alma Middle School and Alma High School student for the Battle of the Bone against Van Buren.
Then Workman's Travel Center stepped in for the home game against Vilonia and did the same thing.
Students still had to pick up their tickets at school, but admission was already covered.
Airedale Nutrition did it first. Workman's followed. A lot more students got the chance to pack the student section because of it.
That’s worth a mention.
CIVIC THIS WEEK
Fort Smith Board takes up downtown progress, Consent Decree work and city pay
The Fort Smith Board of Directors holds a study session Tuesday at 6 p.m. at The Blue Lion.
One item on the agenda is a progress report from Main Street Fort Smith. The report cites more than $4.3 million in documented or committed downtown investment and an April 2027 target for the Bricktown and Adelaide Hall reconstruction project.
Directors are also scheduled to review staff's recommendation of Arcadis for Consent Decree program management. The proposed first-year fee would be capped at $2.474 million.
City compensation studies tied to the 2027 budget are also on the agenda.
As always, the agenda can change before the meeting.
That’s the Week Ahead.
The Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair opens Friday, so Thursday’s Weekend Edition will pick up right where this one leaves off.
Have a good week.
Only the good stuff.
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.