Annual Attractions
Old
Fort Days Rodeo and Barrel-Racing Futurity
Now
rated as one of the best all-round rodeos in the country,
Fort Smith's annual Old Fort Days Rodeo and Barrel-Racing
Futurity offers nearly ten days of Wild West activities
that are pretty hard to top. Held each May since the mid-1930's,
the PRCA Rodeo begins every Memorial Day with a long and
colorful parade down Garrison Avenue -- and the nightly
"Grand Entry" at Harper Stadium shouldn't be missed. Since
its beginnings less than 25 years ago, the Futurity has
grown to one of the richest payoffs in the United States.
(See annual calendar of events.)
Riverfront
Blues Festival
Since
it began in 1991, the Riverfront Blues Festival has become
one of the biggest, hottest and jazziest annual September
events in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, attracting
jazz affectionados from a wide area of the blues-rich south,
and "name" blues artists and performers from all over. The
two-day event makes for a delightful music-filled weekend
in Fort Smith, hearing blues, blues, blues on the banks
of the Arkansas River. (See annual calendar of events.)
Arkansas-Oklahoma
State Fair
One
of the largest bi-state fairs in the nation, Fort Smith's
Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair attracts thousands of fair-goers
during its ten-day run in late September. They come to see
exhibitor competition in everything from arts and crafts
to livestock, and enjoy carnival rides, the midway excitement,
nightly big-name grandstand entertainment, and plenty of
good food. (See annual calendar of events.)
Arkansas
Trail of Holiday Lights
Fort
Smith ushers in each Christmas season in a special way,
beginning with the annual Christmas Parade down brightly-decorated
Garrison Avenue. Thousands thrill to the spectacular displays of holiday lights at Creekmore Park on Rogers Avenue, and the kids can take a trip on the "Holiday Express" miniature train ride through the Park.
The Garrison decorations alone, plus the brightly outlined downtown buildings, make
Fort Smith a "must" stop on the annual "Arkansas Trail of
Holiday Lights." (See annual calendar of events.)
Old
Fort Riverfest
Each
June since 1980, area residents and visitors have gathered
on the scenic banks of the Arkansas River for the three-day
Old Fort Riverfest that specializes in fun, food, activities
and events for people of all ages. The grounds are filled
with food booths and activity areas for children, as well
as vendors exhibiting area arts and crafts. The daily events
include music concerts and games at scheduled times. (See annual calendar of events.)
"Frontier Fest"
Bring the family! Bring Your Friends! Frontier Fest is in late October. It’s a weekend of fun and excitement along the banks of the Arkansas River near the National Historic Site in Fort Smith.
There’s something for every interest and taste, including skills and household life of the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. See life on the farm in the early 1900s. Taste the food of Civil War soldiers.
Learn about life on the frontier along the Butterfield Overland Stage Route, the Trail of Tears and the path of the 49ers.
Meet the outlaws and heroic deputy Marshals of Judge Parker’s Court. History comes alive in the parks and public spaces along the River and in Downtown Fort Smith.
Buy some souvenirs. Test your skills. Tickle your taste buds. It all happens in Fort Smith. (See annual calendar of events.)
Fort
Smith Airshow
Sponsored
by the 188th Fighter Wing of the Arkansas
Air National Guard, the spectacular Fort Smith Airshow occurs
bi-annually every other spring or fall. Visitors get an
exciting look at the old and the new in aviation -- both
in the air and on the ground. Besides numerous aviation
exhibits and aircraft to walk through, the skies over Fort
Smith are filled with shooting stars ranging from vintage
bi-planes to the famous "Blue Angels" precision flying team.
(See annual calendar of events.)
Back to top
Attractions & Activities
|
Calendar of Events
|
Lodging & Dining
|
Fort Smith History
Maps & Transportation
|
Conventions & Meetings
|
FREE Vacation Planner
Group Travel
|
Related Links
|
Photo Gallery
|
Privacy Policy
|
Home
FORT SMITH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
2 North B, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
1-800-637-1477 | (479) 783-8888
Fax (479) 784-2421
E-Mail:tourism@fortsmith.org
©2003 Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau
All rights reserved
Design and Programming by
Aristotle®
