Poteau's BalloonFest turns twenty this weekend, and its carnival gets an early start tonight.
A Fort Smith farm is opening its gates Saturday and Sunday. There are smaller plans, too, including free drawing at the library and a Sunday concert of spirituals. First, a Fort Smith connection to a film being made in Italy.
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Fort Smith archives are helping tell Darby’s story
Photographs and documents from the Fort Smith Museum of History are helping bring William O. Darby's life to the screen.
Association Benàch in Nago-Torbole, Italy, is producing With Love, Billy, a documentary about the Fort Smith native who founded the World War II unit known as Darby's Rangers. The museum is sharing material from its Darby Collection and helping connect the filmmakers with his hometown.
Former Army Ranger Jeff Struecker plans to run 45 miles through Fort Smith on October 30 to help raise the $65,000 needed to finish the film. The effort comes ahead of the 85th anniversary of the Rangers' formation in 2027.
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A few options for tonight
Free music at The Bakery District. DJ L3XI, ST. BENDS and Wicked Dubz are on the Levitt AMP lineup at The Bakery District because of rain. Music starts at 6 p.m., and admission is free.
Words Become Matter opens at UAFS. The book-arts exhibition we covered Sunday has its opening reception at 5 p.m. at the Gallery of Art and Design, 535 N. Waldron Road. It features Fort Smith's K. Nelson Harper, Acadia Kandora and Rebecca Resinski.
A local author at the library. Kathy Watson visits the Main Library's Genealogy room, 3201 Rogers Avenue, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. to discuss her contribution to Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Tales of Miracles and Other Wonders. Earlier, Dewey's Café has an open mic from 5:30–7:30 p.m. for teens and adults who want to perform or listen.
CARRIE begins its run. King Opera House in Van Buren has performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., plus Sunday at 2 p.m. Choose the date you want when checking tickets.
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BalloonFest has an extra night to plan around
Poteau's twentieth BalloonFest runs Friday and Saturday at the LeFlore County Fairgrounds, but the carnival starts tonight from 6–10 p.m. Thursday gate admission and parking are free; rides cost extra.
The main festival brings balloon glows, food and craft vendors, carnival attractions and helicopter and monster truck rides. Balloon activities depend on the weather, with tethered rides expected around 7 p.m.
Friday's festival hours are noon–11 p.m. Saturday runs 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Admission is $5 for ages 5 and older, and parking is $5. The Chamber also lists free shuttle parking. Rides have separate charges.
Friday: new art or a community ride
Arts On Main has a free reception from 6–8 p.m. for Barbara S. Lewis's Faces, Theresa Grillo Laird's From the Mountains to the Sea and the Artist Coalition's Monochromatic exhibition. The Van Buren exhibitions stay through December 12.
In Fort Smith, Bikes at the Bakery meets at 6 p.m. Friday and rolls out at 6:05. The four-mile paved route is the beginner option, alongside a 13-mile paved ride and an off-road levee route. The ride is free, all ages are welcome, and costumes are optional.
Mercy reports more local staff and expanded care
Mercy says it has hired more than 640 caregivers across the River Valley since March, including more than 200 who previously worked for Baptist Health.
In an October 12 update, Mercy Fort Smith president Ryan Gehrig said the system has committed more than $43 million to the region. Completed additions include inpatient beds and expanded imaging, mammography and infusion services. More beds, laboratory space and equipment upgrades are still underway.
The update also outlines longer-term plans, including a cancer-center expansion expected to open in 2027.
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A new farm to visit this weekend
Red Roof Farms celebrates its grand opening Saturday and Sunday at 14931 Stone Hollow Road in Fort Smith, with animals, inflatables and family activities.
Saturday tickets cover either 10 a.m.–2 p.m. or 2–6 p.m. Sunday runs 2–6 p.m. Choose your day and session when buying.
With ticket fees included, Saturday admission is $6.20 for ages 2–17 and 65+, or $9.30 for ages 18–64. Sunday tickets are listed at $6.20. Required parking adds $1.28 per vehicle; tax is extra. Petting-farm access, a guided tour and take-home pumpkins cost extra.
Small Saturday plans
Cats, books and time to visit
FALLing with Felines brings local authors, refreshments, crafts and coloring to Jen's Kitty Rehab from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday. You can spend time with the cats, too.
Admission is free, no RSVP is needed, and donations are welcome. The address is 3123 Jenny Lind Road in Fort Smith.
The online silent auction is already open. Jen's lists the bidding deadline as Friday at noon, with pickup during Saturday's event. Bids go in the individual item-photo comments.
An hour of Halloween drawing
The Main Library has Silly, Creepy Drawings for Kids from 2–3 p.m. Saturday. School-age children and teens can draw with library staff member Katelyn Smith in the Storytime Room. It's free, with no registration or library card needed.
Fort Smith Animal Haven's trunk-or-treat runs 4–6 p.m. Saturday at 9501 Black Bear Trail, with games, costume contests for kids and adults, and a chance to meet adoptable animals.
Also on Saturday
Paint Chaffee Pink is listed for 8 a.m.–noon at Celebration Garden and Wellness Park, 1531 Loretta Park Lane in Barling. Registration is $30 before checkout fees; proceeds support local services for patients and families affected by breast cancer.
Chaffee Crossing's last regular food and artisan market of 2026 runs 8 a.m.–1 p.m. in the historic district.
Alma Greens registration closes Friday at noon for Saturday's disc golf tournament. Division fees run $45–$75, and a current PDGA membership is required. Saturday check-in is 7:30–8:30 a.m.; the first round starts at 9.
Sunday evening
Goddard's Chancel Choir presents the Barbara Johnson Tucker Memorial Concert of Spirituals at 6 p.m. Sunday. The church welcomes the public at 1922 Dodson Avenue in Fort Smith.
A little lead time
Fort Smith Little Theatre's 2027 Flex Pass is now available. The $80 pass covers the six-production season. Current Same Seat patrons have through October 31 to renew their seats.
Two concerts going on sale: Greta Van Fleet's March 16, 2027, show at Tulsa's BOK Center goes on public sale today at 10 a.m. Central. Def Leppard and Goo Goo Dolls' April 16, 2027, show at Simmons Bank Arena goes on public sale Friday at 10 a.m. Central.
Worth the drive
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Try an ancient dart-throwing tool at Spiro Mounds
Saturday is Archaeology Day at Spiro Mounds, with activities from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Atlatl throwing starts at 11 a.m., followed at 1 p.m. by a demonstration of how archaeologists separate small finds from soil. There will also be artifact sorting.
Activities are included with regular admission: $10 adults, $8 ages 62+, $5 students ages 6–18, free for children 5 and younger, or $30 for a family of up to six.
The center recommends calling 918-962-2062 before visiting because staffing can cause unexpected closures.
Hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free; parking is $5 per vehicle. Use 11037 High Sky Inn Road in Hindsville for directions. Some exhibitors take only cash, and the fairgrounds allow service animals only.
A few practical reminders
Property taxes are due today, October 15, in both Sebastian and Crawford counties. Check your county collector's payment information if you still need to take care of yours.
Fort Smith's fall cleanup runs Saturday and again October 24, from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. It's for city residents with a driver's license or utility bill. Yard waste isn't accepted, and trailers and commercial vehicles aren't allowed. This year, bikes in any condition can be dropped off for recycling at all four sites. Check the city's post for locations and accepted materials.
Fort Smith Public Schools has no school Friday, October 16, or Monday, October 19, for fall break. Greenwood students are also off both days: Friday is a staff professional-development day, and Monday is fall break.
There is more on the calendar
The full Sweet Home River Valley calendar has more events around the area. Filter by day, city or category to find what fits your weekend.