Van Buren Buzz
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Plan your week in 60 seconds ⏱️
Plan your week in 60 seconds ⏱️
Fall festival highlights, local shows, market times, and a clean 7-day outlook.
The Buzz Staff
Sep 25, 2025
Trivia Question❓In Van Buren, Arkansas, there is a historic building known as the "Old Frisco Depot." It served as a major transportation hub for the city in the late 1800s. What was the original purpose of the Old Frisco Depot? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Van Buren, Arkansas stands out as a city where rich history fuels a vibrant, modern community.
Settled as Phillips Landing in the early 1800s, Van Buren's downtown and Main Street Historic District showcase beautifully restored Victorian and Italianate buildings.
Highlights such as the King Opera House, Drennen-Scott House, and the Frisco Depot serve as cultural touchstones and business hubs.
Local small businesses, galleries, and makers are transforming Main Street while events like Downtown JunkFest and Second Saturdays foster community bonds.
As Van Buren grows, residents balance historic preservation with revitalization, boosting local pride and tourism.
Challenges remain, including infrastructure and balancing modern needs, but ongoing restoration and increased events promise even more reasons to visit or call Van Buren home. Read More... |
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Interesting Facts |
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Levitt AMP Fort Smith: The Mexican Standoff (Free Concert) |
📅 Thu, Sep 25 ⏰ 6:00 PM–9:00 PM 📍 Harry E. Kelley River Park, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Free 📑 More Info Bring lawn chairs for a high-energy conjunto/tex-mex show; opener at 6, headliner around 7:15. |
Once, The Musical @ King Opera House |
📅 Thu–Sun, Sep 25–28 ⏰ Times vary by date (see link) 📍 King Opera House, Van Buren, AR 🎟 Not listed 📑 More Info Award-winning musical of love and music in Dublin; presented by Arts On Main at historic theater. |
Arkansas–Oklahoma State Fair |
Arkansas–Oklahoma State Fair 📅 Thu–Sat, Sep 25–27 ⏰ Times vary by date (see link) 📍 Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Adults $10; Seniors/Youth $6; Under 3 free 📑 More Info Carnival rides, free-with-gate entertainment, expo exhibits, and Brew Haus music; nine-day fair runs Sept 19–27. |
Fort Smith Little Theatre: Wait Until Dark |
📅 Thu–Wed, Sep 25–Oct 1 ⏰ Times vary by date (see link) 📍 Fort Smith Little Theatre, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Opening Night $20; Others $13 📑 More Info Classic thriller about a blind woman outsmarting criminals; evening shows and Sunday matinee scheduled. |
Ride the Train: Van Buren → Winslow (A&M Railroad) |
📅 Sat, Sep 27 ⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM 📍 Old Frisco Depot, Van Buren, AR 🎟 Not listed 📑 More Info Scenic three-hour, 70-mile round trip through Boston Mountains, high trestles, and the Winslow tunnel. |
Fort Smith Farmers Market (Downtown) |
📅 Sat, Sep 27 ⏰ 7:00 AM–12:00 PM 📍 N 2nd St & Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Free 📑 More Info Shop local produce, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and coffee at bustling downtown open-air market. |
Fort Smith Farmers Market (Midweek) |
📅 Wed, Oct 1 ⏰ 7:00 AM–12:00 PM 📍 N 2nd St & Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Free 📑 More Info Weekday market with seasonal produce, artisan foods, and gifts on historic Garrison Avenue corridor. |
Ride the Train: Van Buren → Winslow (A&M Railroad) |
📅 Wed, Oct 1 ⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM 📍 Old Frisco Depot, Van Buren, AR 🎟 Not listed 📑 More Info Midweek scenic excursion through Ozark foothills; vintage coaches and dome cars on select trips. |
Fort Smith Fall Festival 2025 |
📅 Sat, Oct 4 ⏰ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM 📍 Downtown Fort Smith museums, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Admission: Free 📑 More Info Family-friendly day with free museum entry, trolley rides, vendors, food trucks, and a corgi festival downtown. |
Junie B. Jones Jr. The Musical |
📅 Fri, Oct 9-11 ⏰ 7:00 PM 📍 King Opera House, Van Buren, AR 🎟 Admission: Not listed 📑 More Info Arts On Main presents the junior edition musical—family-friendly laughs, catchy tunes, and first-grade shenanigans. |
Peacemaker Music Festival 2025 |
📅 Fri–Sat, Oct 10–11 ⏰ Times vary by date (see link) 📍 Riverfront Amphitheater, Fort Smith, AR 🎟 Admission: $59.50 single day; $69.50 weekend GA 📑 More Info Two nights of country, rock, blues, and Americana on the Arkansas River with charitable mission. |
Downtown Van Buren Fall Festival |
📅 Sat–Sun, Oct 11–12 ⏰ Times vary by date (see link) 📍 Main Street Historic District, Van Buren, AR 🎟 Admission: Not listed 📑 More Info Two days of handmade crafts, local vendors, and small-town charm along historic Main Street. |
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Meet Chrissie |
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Chrissie, a six-year-old Border Collie beauty with brains, charm, and just the right amount of sass. Don’t let her age fool you, Chrissie still has plenty of pep in her step and a heart full of love to give. She’s a social butterfly who adores meeting new people and never turns down a chance to make a new friend. When it comes to four-legged companions, Chrissie is more of a “guys’ girl”, she gets along fine with the fellas but prefers not to share her space with other ladies. That means she’d be happiest as the queen of her castle with a brother pup, or better yet, soaking up all the attention as your one and only. Chrissie is ready to trade her wag for a family who’ll adore her forever. Could that be you? |
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Your Weekly Weather Forecast: |
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Van Buren, Arkansas — 7-Day Forecast
Fri Sep 27 → Thu Oct 3
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Fri Sep 27
Mostly sunny
81° / 56°
☀️
Sat Sep 28
Mostly clear
84° / 59°
☀️
Sun Sep 29
Partly sunny & warm
87° / 58°
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Mon Sep 30
Mostly cloudy
85° / 60°
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Tue Oct 1
Mostly cloudy
84° / 62°
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Wed Oct 2
Mostly sunny
85° / 63°
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Thu Oct 3
Partly sunny
86° / 62°
Source: AccuWeather 10-day outlook for Van Buren, AR (snapshot)
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Old Frisco Depot in Van Buren, Arkansas was originally built as a passenger station for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, also known as the Frisco Railroad. |