🌱 Patch AM: What’s planned for Fort Smith’s biggest history festival this October?

Hi Fort Smith! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What's planned for Fort Smith's biggest history festival this October?
• What Fort Smith's board just funded for sewers and local heroes
• What rising sales tax revenue means for Fort Smith city services

Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Sunny and toasty conditions, with a high of 101 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Hot with sunshine, temps: high: 101, low: 78.
• Saturday: Hot, with a high of 102 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 7th annual Fort Smith Fall Festival returns Oct. 24; event to feature more than 80 living history reenactors (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Downtown Fort Smith will come alive Oct. 24 with the seventh annual Fort Smith Fall Festival, a free, family-friendly day packed with living history reenactors, demonstrations, crafts, and kids' activities. Local museums and attractions, including the Fort Smith Museum of History, Clayton House, Miss Laura's, the Trolley Museum, and the U.S. Marshals Museum, are offering free or discounted admission and special events.
   

2. Board of Directors approves more than $3 million in consent decree work, honorary street namings (nwaonline.com) — Fort Smith's Board of Directors has approved more than $3.3 million in consent decree sewer work, including a major contract with local firm Forsgren and engineering services from Hawkins-Weir, funded by the city's sales tax. Directors also backed honorary street signs recognizing Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh and the late Judge Jim Spears, celebrating prominent Fort Smith natives' contributions and local pride.
   

3. Fort Smith sales tax collections climb 4.4% through July 2026 (swtimes.com) — Fort Smith's sales tax collections are running about 4.4% ahead of last year through July, boosting revenue for county, police, fire, parks, sewer, and street projects. City reports show millions more flowing into dedicated funds, though officials haven't pinpointed whether higher spending, prices, or other factors are driving the gains.
   

4. Fort Smith Board of Directors table contract with Denali Water Solutions (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith's Board of Directors has put a nearly $1 million contract with Denali Water Solutions on hold until Sept. 15, delaying urgent work to clear residuals from Lake Fort Smith and Lee Creek water treatment lagoons. Directors raised concerns about relying on a single bidder and Denali's odor complaints elsewhere, even as engineers warn lagoon overflow could send material into a nearby creek if work isn't done soon.
   

5. Fort Smith hosts 90th annual Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair (nwahomepage.com) — Fort Smith will host the 90th Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair from Sept. 25 through Oct. 3, bringing rides, concerts, rodeos, livestock shows, and plenty of fair food to town. Locals can save money by buying advance admission and ride vouchers online through Sept. 20, with detailed pricing laid out for adults, youth, seniors, and children.
   

📸 Around Fort Smith

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday September 7
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1217 S Waldron Rd
  11:00 am
• 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
  6:30 pm
Tuesday September 8
• 810 Billiards & Bowling: Ultimate Game Show
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
  6:30 am
Wednesday September 9
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 1217 S Waldron Rd, Fort Smith
  11:00 am
• Ribbon Cutting: The Forum Barbershop
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 3215 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith
  12:00 pm
• Andy's Frozen Custard Kids Night
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 6565 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
  4:00 pm
• 810 Billiards & Bowling Trivia Night
  810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
  6:30 pm
Friday September 11
• 2026 First Friday Breakfast Series: September 11th →
  University of Arkansas Fort Smith Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, Reynolds Room, 800 North 49th Street, Fort Smith
  7:30 am

📣 Fort Smith 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

Thursday September 3
• Canva Workshop with the Center for Non-Profits
  Chamber of Commerce Van Buren Chamber OG&E Meeting Room
  9:00 am
• Center for Nonprofits at The Chamber
  Chamber of Commerce Van Buren Business Resource Center
  9:00 am
• Ribbon Cutting for Pine Hollow Clothing Co.
  Chamber of Commerce Pine Hollow Clothing Co.
  2:00 pm
• VB @ Home (v. Northridge)
  Alma Middle School Alma, AR 72921
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Check out my new group: LOST AND FOUND ANIMALS Everyone who is interested is welcome to join.
  Here's the link: https://nextdoor.com/g/agwcokqox/ (Nextdoor Cavanaugh Rd)
• Attention yard sale people!!
  Can we please, please normalize pulling all of your yard sale signs down the day that you end your sale! I am so tired of driving here there and… (Nextdoor Cavanaugh Rd)

• Nestlé S.A. posted a job opening for 2nd Shift Relief Operator Utility- Glass/Pouch in Fort Smith. Apply here.
• Kohl's posted a job opening for Part-Time Store Cleaning & Operations Associate in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.

Ok Fort Smith! 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 shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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