Editor’s Note - Mar 1, 2026

This week wraps up our SCORP series — a look at how long-range outdoor planning shapes life in the River Valley.

But planning documents only matter if they actually improve everyday life — our weekends, our parks, our trails, and the businesses that surround them.

So this issue keeps it simple: one final look at what’s ahead, a local spotlight, a few things happening around town, and a reminder of why we love living here.

On January 14, 2026, construction officially began on one of the most ambitious projects in Arkansas history: a lift-served mountain bike park at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. You might ask, "That’s 80 miles away—why should I care?" Because state planners view Fort Smith not as a separate entity, but as the "Gateway City" or "Basecamp" for this massive new attraction. In the finale of our 5-part series, we break down how the flow of tourists, tax credits, and outdoor gear is designed to move between the River Valley and the Ouachitas, and what local businesses need to do to capture the traffic passing through town.

Spring Break is still a few weeks away — but spots for this filmmaking camp are filling up fast. 🎥✨

Instructor Grace Andrews is leading a five-day deep dive into filmmaking inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest. Students will reimagine scenes, learn the fundamentals of shooting and directing, and collaborate to produce their own short film.

The week wraps with a public premiere — giving students the full creative experience from concept to screen.

📅 March 23–27 | 10 AM–1 PM
📍 Arts On Main
🎭 Premiere at King Opera House — March 27 at 1:30 PM
💲 Free | Grades 10–12

If you have a high school student interested in film, theater, or storytelling, this is a rare opportunity to learn hands-on — and see their work showcased on a historic stage.

If you’re craving classic, small-town pizza night — Steffey’s Pizza in Lavaca delivers exactly that.

From handcrafted pies piled high with toppings to crowd-pleasing favorites the whole family can agree on, Steffey’s has built a loyal following by keeping things simple: good food, generous portions, and a welcoming hometown feel.

Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or fueling up after a ballgame, it’s one of those River Valley spots that locals quietly swear by.

📍 Lavaca
🍕 Dine-in & Takeout Available

Recently verified in the River Valley Local Directory

Looking to stay connected to other local business owners? We keep a running list of business networking events and professional meetups happening around the River Valley.

Whether you’re new to the area or just looking to reconnect with the local business community, you can see upcoming events here:

There’s always something happening across the River Valley, and we continue adding new events each week to the calendar. Here are a few events from the River Valley Local calendar happening this week:

Beginner Beekeeping | Fort Smith | Mar 2

Fort Smith Little Theater Auditions | Fort Smith | Mar 2

Boston Mountain Homesteading Workshop | Chester | Mar 7

If you’re planning ahead, we now also break out just the upcoming weekend’s events in one place so it’s easier to see what’s happening Friday through Sunday.

👉 See Things to Do This Weekend

MudBug Mayhem is back — bigger and hotter than ever.

Expect a crawfish cook-off, cornhole tournament, car show, softball tournament, live music, food vendors, and a full kids zone.

It’s shaping up to be one of the biggest early-spring gatherings in the River Valley.

Follow coverage from across the River Valley:

Add your Business to the River Valley Local Directory

Submit an Event to our Events calendar

Meet more Adoptable Dogs at Almost Home Shelter or Fort Smith Animal Haven

Thanks for reading River Valley Local. We’re continuing to build River Valley Local into a single place for events, local answers, and practical information.

Have something we should know about? An event, update, or story tip? Just reply to this email — we read every message.

Community note
River Valley Local grows through word of mouth. If you find this newsletter useful, sharing it with a friend or neighbor helps strengthen local coverage across the River Valley.

We’re also working toward our next community milestone — 1,000 subscribers — and when we get there, we plan to celebrate with a local giveaway. More details soon.

River Valley Local is typically sent Sunday mornings. Occasionally, we’ll send a special mid-week update if something important affects a specific area.