Editor’s Note - Mar 22, 2026

Spring is starting to show up across the River Valley — and with it comes more to do, more to explore, and more reasons to get out around the community.

This week, a unique Van Buren business is getting national recognition, farmers market season is back, and our events calendar continues to grow with hundreds of things happening across the region.

As always, we’ve pulled together a few highlights to help you make the most of the week.

A unique downtown Van Buren business is getting national attention — and you can help them win.

Monsters on Main has been nominated for a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award, a fan-voted honor often called the “Oscars” of classic horror.

The shop, located on Main Street, features over 2,000 horror, sci-fi, and fantasy collectibles — plus a mini theater and museum-style displays — and is run by the team behind Scary Monsters magazine.

🗳️ Voting is open to the public, and every vote helps support a local business on a national stage.

❄️ Before the heat hits: time to check your AC

It won’t be long before those 90° days show up in the River Valley — and when they do, HVAC companies get busy fast.

That’s why now is the time to schedule a spring AC tune-up.

Local company Fusion HVAC helps homeowners get ahead of breakdowns by checking systems early — before the first real heat wave hits.

A quick tune-up can improve efficiency, catch small issues early, and help avoid being stuck without air when you need it most.

From chamber events to casual meetups, there are plenty of opportunities each week to connect with local professionals and entrepreneurs.

We keep a running list of upcoming networking events across the River Valley.

Hosting a networking event? Submit it to our events calendar.

Looking for something to do this week? We’re building one of the largest collections of events across the River Valley — gathered from community calendars, local organizations, and event listings throughout the region.

Our calendar now includes 300+ upcoming events, with new ones added daily.

Here are a few happening this week:

Sip & Say - Tea, Tales & Creative Trails | Fort Smith | Mar 25

Inprov on Main Audition | Van Buren | Mar 26

Alias Brass | Van Buren | Mar 27

Planning the weekend? We also pull together just the Friday–Sunday events so you can quickly see what’s happening.

👉 See Things to Do This Weekend

Or browse the full calendar with 300+ upcoming events across the region:

Fresh produce, local vendors, and weekend mornings are officially back.

The Fort Smith Farmers Market has reopened for the season, bringing together local growers, makers, and food vendors in one place.

From farm-fresh vegetables and baked goods to handmade items and seasonal finds, it’s one of the easiest ways to shop local and enjoy a morning downtown.

👉 Plan your visit + what to expect

Steven, the perfect mix of playtime buddy and professional couch potato. This happy guy is discovering just how wonderful people can be, and he’s making up for lost time by soaking in every bit of love he can get. Since the day he arrived, he hasn’t stopped smiling (seriously, it’s contagious!) and all he really wants is a cozy spot next to you, complete with a gentle hand resting on his head. With Steven around, your heart, and your couch, will never be empty again.

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
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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.