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🌱 See how Van Buren High School shined in regional theater awards.
Van Buren, Arkansas Patch AM: a 4 min readHey there, Van Buren! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- See how Van Buren High School shined in regional theater awards.
- How a Van Buren senior beat 61,000 applicants for a top scholarship
Also on today's calendar: Arts On Main — Financial Wellness for Artists and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What gets wetter & wetter as it dries? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Thursday: Cloudy, with a high of 66 and low of 51 degrees.
- Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 64, low: 47.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 68 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Walton Arts Center annouces 2026 Diamond Award Finalists (nwahomepage.com) — Van Buren High School’s production of “Shrek the Musical” has earned multiple Diamond Award finalist honors, including nods for actors Jenna Cossey, Beyton Baker, and vocalist Anixxa Chen, plus a Best Ensemble nomination. Teacher Jessica Fisher is also recognized with a Sparkle award. The regional ceremony will be held May 23 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. 
• Elijah Pinkham Earns Prestigious Gates Scholarship Honor (1019therock.com) — Van Buren residents can cheer on local senior Elijah Pinkham, who has been named a Gates Scholar, one of only 750 students chosen nationwide from more than 61,000 applicants. His award will cover remaining college costs and recognizes his academic excellence, leadership, and perseverance, bringing national attention to his small hometown school community.
📸 Around Van Buren
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Van Buren
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Little Ones and Loved Ones Petal Party →
Monarch 61, 105 N 28th St Suite D, Van Buren
9:00 am
Friday May 1
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Arts On Main — Financial Wellness for Artists →
Arts On Main, 415 Main St, Van Buren
6:00 pm -
The Vibe at The Hive
Chamber of Commerce, 510 Main St, Van Buren
6:00 pm -
Local Lunch at Chick-fil-A Van Buren
Chick-fil-A Van Buren
11:30 am -
Planning Commission Meeting →
Van Buren Municipal Complex, 1003 Broadway, Van Buren
5:30 pm -
Crawford County Nonprofit Connection →
Van Buren Chamber, 111 N 12th St, Van Buren
9:00 am -
5A State Track Meet at VBHS
Chamber of Commerce, 510 Main St, Van Buren
10:30 am -
First Thursday Talk & Book Swap
Chapters on Main, 816 Main Street, Van Buren
6:00 pm
Friday May 1
Saturday May 2
Tuesday May 5
Thursday May 7
📣 Van Buren Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
2026 First Friday Breakfast Series at the Expo: May 1st →
Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. 7th Street, Fort Smith
7:30 am -
2026 Business Expo & Career Fair
Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th Street, Fort Smith
9:00 am -
Alma Dance Show →
Skokos Performing Arts Center, 103 E Main St, Alma
2:00 pm -
AHS Dance Show →
Skokos Performing Arts Center, 103 E Main St, Alma
2:00 pm
Friday May 1
Saturday May 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Somewhat new to posting and also the neighborhood.
Looking for quotes/recs from someone to clean my 840 sq ft home. Half moved in at the moment and just exhausted. It needs a decent amount done for… (Nextdoor Fayetteville Rd)
🗞 Nearby News
Fort Smith
- Bass Pro Shops preparing to open Fort Smith location with four-day grand opening (5newsonline.com)
- Mercy Fort Smith cancer center to double access by 2027 (nwahomepage.com)
- Fort Smith Southside softball beats Rogers Heritage (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com)
Alma
- Joy Sue Tackett (talkbusiness.net)
Ok Van Buren! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A towel (Thank you Beth H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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