Fort Smith Fall Festival Returns October 4 With History, Food, and Family Fun

Downtown Fort Smith will transform into an open-air celebration of history and community on Saturday, October 4, as the Fort Smith Fall Festival brings a full day of free activities, performances, and museum access from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Presented in partnership with the Fort Smith National Historic Site, local museums, and civic organizations, the festival invites residents and visitors to step back in time with historical reenactments, live music, trolley rides, food trucks, and a bustling vendor market.

Free Admission and City-Wide Activities

Admission is free at all participating locations, including the Fort Smith National Historic Site, Clayton House, Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, Fort Smith Museum of History, U.S. Marshals Museum, and the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum. Free trolley service will run between sites from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., making it easy for families to enjoy multiple attractions throughout the day.

Highlights Across Downtown

• Kids Zone at Pendergraft Park (200 Garrison Ave)
  10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. with inflatables, bounce houses, face painting, temporary tattoos, and hands-on activities.

• Harvest Market & Vendor Fair
  Artisans and craftspeople from across the region will line the streets between 3rd & Garrison and 5th & Rogers, offering handmade goods and fall treats.

• Food Trucks and Free Eats
  Food trucks will be stationed on 3rd Street between Garrison Avenue and Rogers Avenue. Visitors can also grab free food at the Regional Art Museum and build-your-own sundaes at the Museum of History’s vintage Soda Fountain.

• Historical Demonstrations and Reenactments
  The National Historic Site will host living history encampments and demonstrations ranging from the 1800s through World War II, including Civil War artillery firings, cavalry demonstrations, and the reenacted Trial of Belle Starr.

Special Site Programming

• Clayton House (514 N 6th St) celebrates Judge Clayton’s birthday with cookies, lawn games, story time, and craft activities from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

• Fort Smith Museum of History (320 Rogers Ave) hosts author Mark Archuleta at 11:00 a.m., the Belle Starr Trial Reenactment at 1:00 p.m., and roaming reenactors all day. Sundaes are available for $5.

• Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum (2 N B St) welcomes visitors with six new exhibits, video presentations every 30 minutes, and free giveaways between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

• Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (1601 Rogers Ave) holds its annual RAM Fall Family Day with free hot dogs, crafts, scavenger hunts, and chalk art from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

• U.S. Marshals Museum (789 Riverfront Dr) offers free admission from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and an offsite children’s program at the National Historic Site Visitor Center.

Event Schedule Highlights

• 10:00 a.m. Belle Starr Trial Reenactment

• 11:00 a.m. School of the Soldier Musket Drill

• 11:30 a.m. Civil War Artillery Demonstration

• 12:00 p.m. Cavalry Demonstration

• 1:00 p.m. Kid’s Court Photo Booth

• 2:00 p.m. Historic Weapons Demonstrations

• 2:30 p.m. Civil War Artillery Demonstration

• 3:00 p.m. Cavalry Demonstration

• 3:30 p.m. Civil War Artillery Demonstration

Plan Your Day

The festival runs 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 4 at multiple downtown locations. Visitors are encouraged to park near one of the trolley bus stops and use the free shuttles to get around. Comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and an appetite are recommended to make the most of the experience.

For more information, visit fortsmithfallfest.com

True Crime Tonight: “The Beltway Sniper Case”

Arkansas–Oklahoma State Fair

Fort Smith Farmers Market (Downtown on Garrison)

Fort Smith Retro Market: Grand Reopening

Once, The Musical (Arts On Main at the King Opera House)

Wait Until Dark (Fort Smith Little Theatre)

Friends of the Library Chocolate Festival