One of the biggest construction projects in the River Valley is getting close to halfway, and the weekend itself is unusually stacked.
Van Buren has enough going on to make a full Saturday or Sunday out of it. Alma has a free plant swap with kids’ activities. RAM has free art, and Greenwood gets both Junkin' at the Fairgrounds and a Sunday trail reveal.
First, the bridge.
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
THE I-49 RIVER BRIDGE IS GETTING CLOSE TO HALFWAY
Construction on the I-49 bridge across the Arkansas River is nearing the halfway point, and the current bridge contract is running ahead of schedule.
ARDOT District 4 engineer Jason Hughey told Talk Business & Politics the latest contractor pay estimate put the bridge at about 47% complete. At that point, roughly 40% of the contract time had been used.
The $282.5 million bridge is one piece of the larger I-49 connection between Arkansas 22 in Barling and I-40 near Alma. Finishing that roughly 14-mile segment will take multiple projects and is currently estimated at about $1.3 billion.
So no, the whole corridor is not half finished. But the bridge itself is getting close.
FOUNDING SPONSOR
Sweet Home River Valley is proudly supported by Rebecca Collins with Mike & Mika Realty Group.
Buying or selling around the River Valley?
“Let me show you how my team does it different.”
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TONIGHT
Free riverfront music with Copper Flats
Levitt AMP Fort Smith is back at Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park tonight. Copper Flats headlines, with 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 Family Game Night tonight 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, Reynolds Room • Fort Smith • Free
RAM's oil-painting workshop starts tonight and continues Friday
It’s a two-night workshop, meeting from 5:30–8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Artist Stephanie Lee will walk participants through a beginner still-life painting from start to finish, including drawing, color mixing, light and shadow. Supplies are included.
The workshop is for ages 16 and older.
Thursday + Friday • 5:30–8 p.m. each night • Fort Smith Regional Art Museum • $35 members / $50 nonmembers
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
VAN BUREN CAN FILL MOST OF YOUR WEEKEND
Downtown Van Buren is packed Saturday and Sunday, with enough happening to build most of a day around it.
Fall Festival Tradin' Days runs Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. along Main Street, with vendors, food trucks, a pumpkin patch and a fall photo spot.
The first Van Buren, Arkansas Book Fair is happening the same weekend inside Madame's Main Attraction. Local authors and bookish vendors will be there from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.
Nearby, Drennen-Scott Historic Site has a free Civil War Living History Weekend both days.
Saturday starts with musket and artillery demonstrations at 10 and 11 a.m. A presentation on the Van Buren Raid of 1862 is at 1 p.m., followed by more demonstrations in the afternoon.
Saturday ends with night artillery firing at dusk.
Sunday has another run of musket and artillery demonstrations beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday + Sunday • UAFS Drennen-Scott Historic Site • Van Buren • Free
You can also make the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad part of the weekend. Friday and Saturday excursions leave the Old Frisco Depot at 11 a.m. and return at 2 p.m.
Saturday was down to five coach seats when we checked Wednesday, so check current availability before building the rest of the day around it.
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
THE FIRST GERMAN F-35 HAS LANDED AT EBBING
The first German F-35A arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base on Monday, the first German aircraft to reach Fort Smith for the international training program.
The aircraft flew in from Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility and landed around 12:30 p.m.
Lockheed Martin is expected to build 35 F-35s for Germany. At least 70 German pilots are expected to rotate through Fort Smith over five years, and the first eight German aircraft are expected at Ebbing by April 2027.
Polish and Finnish F-35s are already training at Ebbing.
A FEW GOOD THINGS THAT WERE EASY TO MISS
Free plant swap in Alma
River Valley Plant-a-Holics is holding a Fall Plant Swap/Sale at The Shed in Alma on Saturday.
Admission is free for guests and vendors. People can bring plants, cuttings or plant accessories to trade or sell. The event also lists face painting, a kids’ play area, pumpkin painting and food trucks.
Saturday • 10 a.m.–2 p.m. • The Shed • Alma • Free admission
Free 3D art at RAM
RAM Saturdays has a 3D Shape Art project this week.
It is free, all ages are welcome, materials are supplied, and there is no registration.
Saturday • Noon–3 p.m. • Fort Smith Regional Art Museum • Free
ALSO HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND
Junkin' at the Fairgrounds
Antiques, vintage finds, crafts, gifts, food trucks and local vendors fill the Sebastian County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday. Admission is $5, and kids 12 and under get in free.
Friday + Saturday • 9 a.m.–5 p.m. • Greenwood
$5 Movie Night: Coco
Coco plays Friday night in the Grand Lobby at the Arkansas Center for the Creative Arts. Tickets are $5 at the door; online checkout adds fees.
Friday • 7–9 p.m. • Fort Smith • $5 at the door
Sad Daddy at Digs
Arkansas group Sad Daddy brings its mix of Americana, blues, jazz and jug-band music to Digs Friday night.
Friday • 8–11 p.m. • Digs at The Bakery District • Fort Smith
Cars for a Cause
Junior League of Fort Smith hosts its community car show at The Village at Heritage. Spectator admission is free, and vehicle registration is $20.
Saturday • 10 a.m.–2 p.m. • Barling • Free for spectators
Shall We Dance
Western Arkansas Ballet performs dances set to the music of Tony Bennett twice Saturday at the Van Buren High School Fine Arts Center.
Saturday • 3 p.m. + 7 p.m. • Van Buren • $15
Beginning Canoeing
The Janet Huckabee Nature Center has a free introductory canoeing and kayaking session on Wells Lake. Equipment and life jackets are provided. The registration page lists ages 12+, and children must be accompanied.
Saturday • 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. • Fort Smith • Free • Registration required
Bell Park's new trails get their reveal Sunday
Members of Arkansas River Valley RC Crawlers have been working on new trails at Bell Park in Greenwood, and the public reveal is Sunday at 2 p.m. The group also has a free RC swap meet at the west-end pavilion beginning at 9 a.m.
Sunday • Trail reveal at 2 p.m. • Bell Park • Greenwood
WORTH THE DRIVE
Cherokee Art Market
Nearly 170 Native artists and artisans are gathering at the Sequoyah Convention Center at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa this weekend.
General market hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Adult admission is $12.35 for one chosen day, and ages 18 and under are free.
Saturday also has a 1:30–2:30 p.m. author conversation on Indigenous horror with Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
Saturday + Sunday • 10 a.m.–5 p.m. • Catoosa • $12.35 adults / 18 and under free
Turkey Track keeps the bluegrass going through Saturday
The 49th Turkey Track Harvest Time Bluegrass Festival is underway near Waldron and runs through Saturday.
Thursday has 1 and 6:30 p.m. sessions for $20. Friday and Saturday also have afternoon and evening sessions and are $25 per day.
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage is on Saturday's lineup. An exact set time had not been posted when we checked.
Through Saturday • Turkey Track Bluegrass Park • Waldron
THERE'S MORE ON THE CALENDAR
Looking for more? The full calendar has more River Valley events, with filters for day, city, category, free events and family-friendly options.