Fort Smith International Film Festival
The Fort Smith International Film Festival returns Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, August 1. You can see independent films you probably won’t catch at a regular theater, meet filmmakers, hear the stories behind the movies, and get a look at how films are made, sold, and shared.
Feed the Future Giving Day
Feed the Future Giving Day is happening Friday, July 31, from 9:00 to 2:00 at Community Services Clearinghouse on Wheeler Avenue in Fort Smith. This giving-day event supports the Meals for Kids Backpack Program, which helps provide weekend food backpacks for local children.
River Valley Veteran Resource Fair
The River Valley Veteran Resource Fair is happening Saturday, August 1, starting at 9:00 at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith. If you’re a veteran, service member, caregiver, or part of a military family, you can connect with local agencies, support organizations, and people who can help with benefits, services, and community resources. Public listings also mention free haircuts, breakfast, and lunch.
Back-to-School Bash Fort Smith
The Back-to-School Bash is happening Saturday, August 1, from 9:00 to noon at the Family Life Center. You can get help getting ready for the school year with free backpacks, school supplies, shoe vouchers, haircuts, and sports physicals while supplies last. Kids need to be there to receive backpacks, supplies, and shoe vouchers, so it’s a good one to get to early.
Greenwood Back-to-School Bash
Vital Church’s Back-to-School Bash is happening Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 to 1:00 in Greenwood. You can bring the kids for free backpacks, school supplies and haircuts, plus food, games and music. It’s free and open to the community.
Hand to Hand Foundation’s Back-to-School Giveaway
The Hand to Hand Foundation’s Back-to-School Giveaway is happening Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 to 1:00 at the Mulberry Fairgrounds. If you have a student in the Mulberry/Pleasant View school community, you can stop by for free back-to-school items.
Fort Smith Public Library Time Travel Tea
Fort Smith Public Library is hosting Time Travel Tea on Saturday, August 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 at the Main Library. You can step back in time for a 250th anniversary tea party with finger foods, tea or juice, games, and a little U.S. history. Period costumes are welcome, so you can dress the part or just come enjoy the afternoon.
Mountainburg Back-to-School Bash
The Mountainburg Back-to-School Bash is happening Saturday, August 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 at Living Waters Restoration Center in Chester. It’s free for all ages, and you can get help getting ready for the school year with school supplies, backpacks, cotton candy, snow cones, and goodies from the Mountainburg Public Library while supplies last.
Bell Park Back-to-School Bash
The Bell Park Back-to-School Bash is happening Saturday, August 1, from 5:00 to 9:00 in Greenwood. You can enjoy bounce houses, water slides, a foam party, live music and more. Admission is free, with food trucks and snow cones available for purchase.
Veterans Outdoor Yard Sale
The Veterans Outdoor Yard Sale is planned for Saturday, August 1, from 7:00 to 5:00 at Fort Smith Retro Market on Towson Avenue. You can browse outdoor sale booths and support local military veterans selling items to make a little extra money. It’s free to shop, with vendor spaces available separately for veterans.
Matthew 25 Project’s Back-to-School Giveaway
The Matthew 25 Project’s Back-to-School Giveaway is Monday, August 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 at Blakemore Field in Van Buren. Crawford County students can receive free backpacks, school supplies, hygiene kits and socks. It’s drive-through only, and children must be present.
Community Carnival
The Community Carnival is happening Wednesday, August 5, starting at 6:00 at Van Buren Masonic Lodge No. 6. You can stop by for free carnival games, prizes, hot dogs, and a fun neighborhood evening with the lodge.
Back-to-School Pool Party
The Back-to-School Pool Party is happening Wednesday, August 5, starting at 6:00 at Creekmore Park Pool in Fort Smith. You can enjoy one more summer night at the pool before the school year gets going, with swimming, friends, and a fun community pool-party atmosphere. I would confirm admission details before posting this one as free.
Fort Smith Public Library
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is playing Thursday, August 6, from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Fort Smith Public Library. Admission is free, and you can bring snacks and covered drinks or stop by Dewey’s Café before the movie.
City Play Day
City Play Day is happening Friday, August 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 at MLK Jr. Park in Fort Smith. It’s free to attend, and you can enjoy food, drinks, activities, local organizations, and a fun evening outside with the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation team.
Back-to-School Bash: Student Edition
The Back-to-School Bash: Student Edition is happening Saturday, August 8, from 10:00 to 3:00 at 208 South 4th Street in Van Buren. You can stop by for a back-to-school day with snacks, vendors, a rock-painting contest, a planting activity, and other fun for students. It’s open to all ages
Back-to-School River Valley Primary Care
River Valley Primary Care is hosting a Back-to-School event on Saturday, August 8, from 8:00 to noon at the Northside Clinic on Kelley Highway in Fort Smith. You can stop by for free health screenings, including blood-pressure, pulse-oxygen, and glucose checks. There will also be school supplies for kids and a bounce house, making it a helpful stop before the new school year starts.
