👋 Hey Fort Smith!

It’s a big week in the River Valley!

With Veterans Day around the corner, our community is gearing up for one of the state’s biggest celebrations at Chaffee Crossing — plus Comic Con fun, important updates on property taxes, major water-infrastructure improvements, and more ways to stay connected locally.

Whether you’re honoring a veteran, planning a weekend outing, or looking for what’s new around town, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get into it 👇

Fort Smith gears up for the 13th Annual Regional Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Chaffee Crossing.

The day kicks off with a moving honor ceremony at 10:00 a.m.  The grand parade rolls out at noon, bringing together veteran organizations, military units, civic groups, and local marching bands.

This free, family-friendly event is widely celebrated as Arkansas’ largest Veterans Day tribute, offering a chance for the community to express thanks to service members from all branches and generations.

Chaffee Crossing—formerly a major military training hub—adds historic meaning, linking Fort Smith’s past and present dedication to those who serve.

Everyone is encouraged to wear red, white, and blue, bring a flag, and arrive early for the best view.  Parking is available off Terry Street.

Experience a patriotic tradition that continues to strengthen River Valley community pride and honor.

As Veterans Day nears, the River Valley comes together to honor local veterans shaping our community — not only through military service, but also entrepreneurship and leadership.

From small business owners to local mentors, these men and women exemplify courage, dedication, and community spirit.

This month, there’s a special call to recognize the veterans who call the River Valley home and spotlight those running businesses that help our region thrive.

Community members are encouraged to submit names and stories of local veterans or veteran-owned businesses, helping build a recognition list that celebrates their influence.

Every submission makes it possible to honor even more of those who lead, volunteer, and invest in Fort Smith and beyond.

To say thank you, and to be featured, submit your entry at the recognition link above.

MyRiverValleyEvents.com is now live, offering a brand-new destination for discovering local happenings across the River Valley.

From lively festivals and parades to unique classes, concerts, and family-friendly activities, the site helps you find everything going on in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood, and nearby communities—all in one simple platform.

If you’re hosting an event or know someone planning something special, submitting it is quick and easy—just a minute on the site puts your activity in front of neighbors and visitors.

Support your favorite groups, churches, clubs, and small businesses by exploring, sharing, and adding to the growing community calendar at MyRiverValleyEvents.com.

Join in and help connect the River Valley, one event at a time.

✅ Featured Events This Week

13th Annual Regional Veterans Day Parade

📍 Chaffee Crossing
🕘 Ceremony 10 AM | Parade 12 PM
A regional celebration described as Arkansas’ largest Veterans Day event.
Details →

🎉 Comic Con / Fort Smith

November 8–9 • Kay Rodgers Park • Fort Smith, AR

Gear up for a weekend of video games, comics, anime, card games, vendors, and special guests as River Valley Comic Con returns to Fort Smith!

This family-friendly fandom festival brings together artists, creators, cosplayers, collectors, and fans of all ages for two unforgettable days under one roof.

✅ Kids 12 & under — FREE
✅ Youth 13–17 — Only $10

⭐ What to Expect

• Guest creators, actors & artists

• Cosplay fun & photo ops

• Vendors + collectibles

• Video games & card games

• Anime + comics + more

•  

📍 Location

Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center
Fort Smith, Arkansas

🗓 Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 8–9, 2025

Tickets + full guest list available at:
👉 RiverValleyComicCon.com

Bring your friends, bring the kiddos, or assemble the whole squad for two days of fandom, fun, and epic memories!

Sebastian County experienced a striking 60.23% rise in property values during a recent reappraisal, marking the highest jump among 17 Arkansas counties.

Johnson, Independence, and Crittenden counties also saw increases above 54%, with Calhoun, Logan, and Sevier following closely, all reflecting profound shifts in the local real estate market.

This marks the first reappraisal since 2020 and showcases the lingering effects of pandemic-era disruptions, including construction slowdowns and soaring demand.

Property assessments remain tied to actual home sales, ensuring valuations closely mirror market realities.

For 2024, Sebastian County reported 1,533 home sales worth $375.9 million — a 10% jump in value and a 5% increase in volume over last year.

Residents aged 65 or disabled can apply for a property value freeze, providing some relief amid sharply rising property assessments.

This trend underscores Arkansas’s rapidly changing real estate landscape and its impact on local homeowners.

The City of Fort Smith is accelerating upgrades to its sanitary sewer system in compliance with a federal Consent Decree, a move vital for community health and infrastructure stability.

At a recent Rotary Club gathering, Water Utilities Director Lance McAvoy highlighted meaningful progress: since 2014, crews have assessed 466 miles of sewer lines, cleaned 452 miles, and sharply cut overflow days.

Key programs address service line repairs and manage fats, oils, and grease, targeting root causes of blockages.

Looking ahead, the estimated cost for remaining work exceeds $640 million.

Voters recently approved up to $360 million in bond funds, marking widespread support for these improvements.

At least $70 million in contracts will be considered for city board approval this November, paving the way for major work—including pipe replacements, manhole updates, and better communication to residents—over the next two years.

Meet Sadie Joe: an adventurous, clever pup with boundless energy and heart.

This petite, 40-pound dog is equally happy cuddling on the couch or exploring new trails alongside you.

Sadie Joe thrives on activity and curiosity, making her a fantastic companion for anyone who loves training, learning new tricks, or getting outside for daily walks.

Her spirited personality and eagerness to please mean she brings joy wherever she goes, always ready with a wagging tail and bright eyes.

If you’re looking for a loyal friend with a curious mind, Sadie Joe is ready for adventure and affection.

This smart, adult female is seeking her forever family—could that be you?

☀️ 7-Day Weather Outlook – Fort Smith

This week in Fort Smith will stay mostly comfortable and sunny — early-week highs in the 70s and cool evenings. Tuesday may bring brisk winds and low humidity, so keep that in mind if you're lighting fires or spending time outdoors. By Sunday, expect a noticeable chill — highs in the mid-50s and overnight lows near freezing:

• Monday: Sunny and pleasant. High ~ 72 °F (22 °C), low ~ 44 °F (7 °C).

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, breezy; elevated wildfire risk due to low humidity and dry brush. High ~ 76 °F (24 °C), low ~ 47 °F (8 °C).

• Wednesday: Pleasant with plenty of sun. High ~ 76 °F (24 °C), low ~ 54 °F (12 °C).

• Thursday: Partly sunny and warm. High ~ 78 °F (26 °C), low ~ 54 °F (12 °C).

• Friday: Bright and warm once again. High ~ 78 °F (26 °C), low ~ 47 °F (8 °C).

• Saturday: Pleasant with a mix of clouds and sun. High ~ 77 °F (25 °C), low ~ 44 °F (7 °C).

• Sunday: Cooler with mostly sunny skies. High drops to ~ 55 °F (13 °C), low around ~ 30 °F (‐1 °C).

🙌 That’s a wrap!

Thanks for reading this week’s Fort Smith Buzz.

If you know a veteran or veteran-owned business, please take a moment to submit their info — we’d love to recognize them in an upcoming issue.

Got an upcoming event?

Add it to MyRiverValleyEvents.com and help spread the word!

If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend or share on social — it helps us grow the River Valley’s local news community.

See you next week — and Happy Veterans Day!