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Happy weekend, Fort Smith!
In today’s happening-today edition: Frozen Knuckles Run, MudBug Mayhem Crawfish Festival, and gold and silver are hot + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Regional labor trends diverge: Most Arkansas metros posted year-over-year job gains in December, but unemployment rose in many areas. Fort Smith added 700 jobs, while only the Memphis area saw the jobless rate dip — see the metro breakdown.
Small-town charm and value: Eight Arkansas cities still offer homes under $180,000, a new roundup says, with Fort Smith spotlighted for many options under $150,000, frontier history and modern living, plus reasonable property taxes — see all eight Arkansas cities.
Standout chef-driven dining picks: An Arkansas foodie roundup names 11 cool places to eat, with Fort Smith’s Prima Italia on the list alongside picks in Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, Little Rock, and Hot Springs — see all 11 restaurant picks.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor Money.com
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I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
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🫶 We got your back
Color therapy, downtown: Need a midweek reset? The Unexpected turns familiar Fort Smith blocks into a walkable art hunt, where fresh details surface on every pass, no fuss. With a friend in tow and an ordinary corridor, everyday errands quietly morph into a sweeter-than-algorithm vibe check.
Stitch fix, locally: From sturdy machines to designer fabrics, classes, and repairs, Sewing Machine Center keeps Fort Smith makers moving. When projects wobble, their crew offers calm, know-how, and a gentle nudge to begin that someday idea, then sees you through with service that lasts.
Taproom to bookmark: Fort Smith Brewing Company keeps it refreshingly local with a rotating tap list featuring Arkansas Commoner, Trailblazer IPA, and Dat Nguyen Stout. Settle onto the chill patio, catch up with friends, and let an easy neighborhood pint happen whenever the week calls for it.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🥞 Lions Club Pancake Breakfast @ Trinity Baptist Church (Pocola) | Saturday (3/7) at 6:30 AM – Skip the sad cereal and hit the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, town’s favorite excuse to eat your weight in flapjacks, maple syrup, and coffee. Expect long tables, familiar faces, and proceeds that actually stay local.
🥾 Butterfield Trail MBU @ University of Arkansas | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – The Butterfield Trail District is hosting Merit Badge University, a full day of hands-on classes, seasoned counselors, and progress on Eagle-required boxes. Open to Scouts from all councils, meaning your kid levels up, you snag a quiet day, and someone learns knots that hold.
🦞 MudBug Mayhem Crawfish Festival @ Mudbug Mayhem (Barling) | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Bring your appetite for a full-on mudbug throwdown. Crawfish cookoff, car and truck show, Cajun cornhole, live bands, and a family zone that actually entertains. Equal parts tail peeling, tire polishing, and two-stepping, with vendors, contests, and bragging rights.
🎉 Bakery District Street Fest @ The Bakery District | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Lace up and head to the 3rd annual Bakery District fest for local vendors, great food trucks, and all-day tunes capped by Covington Creek. Start with the Kegs & Legs 5K, then test mettle at stein holding, and ego at the adult spelling bee.
🍴 2026 RMEF Westark Chapter Banquet @ Columbus Acres | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – Put on your boots and head to the Westark Chapter banquet for an evening of fellowship, hearty food, and fundraising for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Expect good company, friendly bidding, and the warm glow of helping elk habitat without sleeping in a tent.
🌊 The Water Planet @ Arcbest Corporation Performing Arts Center | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – The Symphony is diving back in with a concert all about water, featuring Smetana’s The Moldau, Handel’s Water Music, and Debussy’s La Mer. Consider it a stress rinse for the ears, then drift to the After Party at The Bakery District.
🥶 The 2026 Frozen Knuckles Run @ Fort Smith Brewing Company (Barling) | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Kicking off riding season, Frozen Knuckles Run loops into Oklahoma and back to Fort Smith Brewing, proving nothing warms the soul like cold knuckles for Steel Horse Rally. $20 to ride, first 100 get a free burger, shirts for donations, and a 50/50.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Fort Smith report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 68°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 56%
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 3pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 71. Southwest wind around 0 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 0 mph.
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