Rheem bought itself room to grow in Fort Smith. UAFS is moving a major maternal-health project forward. And if you’re looking for something to do this week, the calendar gets busy fast.
Today has a few good options of its own, then the Halloween lights start Monday, National Night Out lands Tuesday, the Van Buren train runs Wednesday, and Thursday stacks a free riverfront concert, family game night, a craft night at Miss Laura’s and Chance the Rapper in Bentonville.
Here’s the week ahead.
TWO LOCAL STORIES WORTH KNOWING
Rheem just bought room to grow in Fort Smith
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
Rheem has operated in Fort Smith for 56 years, and this week the company bought property directly next to its existing campus.
The reason is pretty simple: Rheem says it has limited room at its current location, and owning the neighboring property gives it more flexibility if the Fort Smith operation needs to grow.
There is no construction announcement attached to the deal yet. Rheem says it has not made immediate development plans for the property and will evaluate its options as business needs and economic conditions allow.
Still, one of Fort Smith’s longtime manufacturers just made a long-term investment in having more room here.
SUNDAY
Dinner and live music with Shaun Munday
The Secret Spoon Society is pairing an intimate Shaun Munday performance with an Argentine-inspired dinner tonight.
Doors open at 5 p.m. for sparkling wine and small bites. Music and dinner begin at 6.
Tickets are $60 before fees, or $65.75 with the current ticketing fees included.
Sunday • 5–8 p.m. • Fort Smith
Faith, Family & Fun at MackMazing Acres
MackMazing Acres in Spiro has a reduced-admission Sunday today.
Farm activities run from 1–4 p.m., with live music, praise and worship beginning at 4 p.m., followed by church services.
Admission is $10 per person.
Sunday • 1–6 p.m. • MackMazing Acres • Spiro
Worth the drive today
Fayetteville Falltoberfest runs from noon–6 p.m. on Dickson Street with free admission, multiple stages, makers, family activities and Dogtoberfest.
The Crystal Bridges Art Fair also wraps up today in Bentonville. Sunday hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and admission is free.
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MONDAY
The Halloween light show starts Monday night
The synchronized Halloween display on Bridgewood Lane starts its 2026 run Monday.
The lights are set to music you can hear by tuning the car radio to 103.1 FM.
Opening night runs from 6:30–9 p.m., and the display is scheduled nightly through Halloween.
The organizer asks visitors to keep the volume down, use parking lights when possible and avoid blocking neighboring driveways.
Monday • 6:30–9 p.m. • 8005 Bridgewood Lane • Fort Smith
Free LEGO Club at the Main Library
Kids, tweens and teens can spend an hour building at the Fort Smith Public Library Monday evening.
The library supplies the LEGO bricks, and admission is free.
Monday • 5:30–6:30 p.m. • Main Library • Fort Smith • Free
Or audition for the Christmas comedy
Fort Smith Little Theatre holds open auditions Monday for Silver Belles: A Christmas Comedy.
Newcomers are welcome alongside experienced performers. Callbacks are Tuesday.
Monday • 7 p.m. • Fort Smith Little Theatre
UAFS is moving its maternal-health center forward
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
UAFS received another $50,000 this week for its planned Center for Maternal and Infant Healthcare.
The university says it is now moving into the process of selecting architects and engineers for the project, which already has $15 million in federal funding behind it.
The planned center would include high-fidelity simulation labs where students and working clinicians can practice routine care and difficult obstetric and pediatric emergencies before facing them in a hospital.
UAFS also plans to open part of that training environment to expectant parents through a program designed to make labor and delivery procedures less unfamiliar before the real thing.
The maternal and infant center is planned as the first phase of a larger Center for Health Innovation.
TUESDAY
National Night Out takes over the Central Mall parking lot
Fort Smith Police Department’s National Night Out is Tuesday evening.
Expect police and first-responder vehicles, demonstrations, community resource booths, door prizes and family activities. FSPD is also providing free hot dogs and drinks.
Admission is free.
Tuesday • 5–7 p.m. • Central Mall parking lot • Fort Smith • Free
The Marshals Museum looks back at Ole Miss
The U.S. Marshals Museum hosts another Historic Decisions program Tuesday night.
This session examines the desegregation of the University of Mississippi and the choices Americans faced during that period. The format is built around discussion and deliberation rather than debate, and no prior knowledge is required.
Tuesday • 6–7:30 p.m. • U.S. Marshals Museum • Fort Smith
WEDNESDAY
Take the train out of Van Buren
The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad has a Wednesday excursion leaving from the Old Frisco Depot.
The trip heads through the Boston Mountains before returning to downtown Van Buren.
Wednesday • 11 a.m.–2 p.m. • Old Frisco Depot • Van Buren
Mahjong & Martinis at 906
River Valley Mahj brings social American Mahjong back to 906 Wednesday evening.
Basic game knowledge is recommended. Tile sets are provided, and players should bring a 2026 National Mah Jongg League card.
Tickets are $30 and include one drink featuring Rock Town Distillery spirits.
Wednesday • 6:30–9:30 p.m. • 906 Lounge • Fort Smith • $30
THURSDAY
Make a ghost garland after hours at Miss Laura’s
The newest Craft & Yap night is Thursday at Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum.
This month’s project is a ghost garland. Supplies and step-by-step guidance are included, and no craft experience is needed.
The organizer lists the event for ages 16 and older.
Thursday • 5:30–7:30 p.m. • Miss Laura’s • Fort Smith • $28 before fees
Free riverfront music with Copper Flats
The Levitt AMP Fort Smith series continues Thursday at Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park.
Copper Flats headlines this week, with Ava Earnhart and Lane Lowder also on the lineup.
Music starts at 6 p.m., and admission is free.
Thursday • 6 p.m. • Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park • Fort Smith • Free
UAFS has a free Family Game Night
UAFS is hosting a free Family Game Night as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
There will be free food and games for all ages, including UAFS lotería, a UAFS-themed bingo game.
Thursday • 6–8 p.m. • Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center • Fort Smith • Free
TICKET WATCH
Chance the Rapper still has tickets, but quantities are limited
Chance the Rapper brings the 10th anniversary tour for Coloring Book to The Momentary Green Thursday night.
The Momentary still has tickets available, but its current event page says limited quantities are available.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6.
Current prices include $85 general admission, $68 member tickets and $47 student tickets, with premium and VIP options also listed.
The show is standing room only.
Thursday • 7:30 p.m. • The Momentary Green • Bentonville
CIVIC THIS WEEK
The Fort Smith Board of Directors meets Monday at 6 p.m. at the Blue Lion.
The posted agenda includes proposed data-center development rules, 2026 property-tax millage ordinances, and grant agreements for the Lake Fort Smith transmission line and neighborhood water-line improvements. Check the official meeting page before Monday evening for the latest materials.
The Greenwood City Council meets Monday at 7 p.m. at Greenwood City Hall.
The Greenwood Advertising & Promotion Commission meets Tuesday at 4 p.m., also at City Hall.
THAT’S THE WEEK AHEAD
Today has a couple of good last-minute choices, Monday starts the Halloween light-show season, and Thursday is the night where you may actually have to choose.
The full Sweet Home River Valley calendar has everything we’ve found happening around Fort Smith, Van Buren, Greenwood, Alma, Barling and nearby River Valley communities.