It’s hard to believe, but May 2015 will be here before we know it. Another year gone by and more “things to do” than we could have ever imagined. And, from the looks of things, 2015 is going to be even bigger and better, certainly when it comes to western heritage!
“Relive the Heritage / Restore the Pride” is what one group in town started chanting in late August of 2013, and it gets louder every day! Focused on the western heritage of our region, Fort Smith Western Heritage Month hopes to bring to light just what it means to have that ‘true grit’ we all have heard about and grown to love. Being named #5 in “Top Western Towns” in the United States by True West Magazine, and the fact that a national museum for the US Marshals is being built on the banks of the Arkansas River (set to open in 2017) it’s no wonder why the committee behind “Fort Smith Western Heritage Month” is excited to see the heritage walking the streets, loud and proud! How? The month of May has been officially proclaimed by the mayor or Fort Smith as Fort Smith Western Heritage Month, and during that time, there are more “things to do” than you could ever imagine, ending with the world famous Old Fort Days Rodeo at the end of the month!
Here’s a list to get you started, and more is added all the time. Like the FSWHM Facebook page to keep up to date with what happening during the month of May. RELIVE THE HERITAGE / RESTORE THE PRIDE!
May 2015 Calendar of Events:
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April 30: Motorcycle Memories – exhibit opening, 5:00 – 8:00 p. m. (Fort Smith Museum of History)
May 1-2: Steel Horse Rally (Downtown Fort Smith) – Ride into downtown Fort Smith in the Steel Horse Rally Motorcycle Parade, park in the center of Garrison Avenue and enjoy great live music and entertainment.
May 1-2: Hangin’ Judge Cutting Horse Show (Kay Rodgers Park) – Come experience one of the world’s most popular equine sports today.
May 1-2: IC Spring Carnival (Downtown Fort Smith, 13th Street) – Come join the fun! There will be games and fun for the whole family! Free entertainment, live music, and loads of food booths- Chinese, German, Mexican, Italian, and much more! Visit our silent auction and buy a chance on a $10,000 giveaway. For more information, call 479-783-6798.
Steel Horse Exhibit (Fort Smith Museum of History)
May 2: Cannon Firing (Fort Smith National Historic Site) – US Army exhibit from Chaffee Crossing Museum set up on the Historic Site parade ground.
May 2: May Day at Clayton House – (Clayton House) Drop in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tea in Fort Smith’s only Victorian-era home authentically restored and open to the public for tours. Enjoy scones, warm tea and mimosas, inside or on the grounds. The $15 fee includes a guided tour, craft, and a chance to grasp a ribbon from the May Pole for some cheery fun with friends.
May 2-3: Lawbreakers & Peacemakers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum)
May 3: Walking Tour of Victorian Homes sponsored by the Clayton House
May 3: Indian Territory Pistoliers – Pioneer covered wagon living history display. (The wagon will be set across the street from from the Fort Smith National Park / Gallows from 12pm-5pm)
May 4: Frontier Marshals Lecture – (Blue Lion on 2nd Street – 6:30PM)
May 7: Program with Denny Flynn, 6:00 p. m. (Fort Smith Museum of History)
May 8: US Marshals Safe Kids! Fair – (Pendegraft Park, 3-6PM) – An event featuring multiple community agencies that will focus on safety for community children. Free DNA LifePrint Kits will be available (includes fingerprints, palm prints, photographs, and DNA swabbing to aid law enforcement in the event a child goes missing).
May 9: National Train Day (Frisco Station) – Many activities planned including an open house, tours and several activities for adults and children!
May 9: Choctaw Nation Stickball Demonstration (Historic Site Grounds) – An event for the entire family! Learn about the game of stickball, participate in bead making and much more! (Sponsored by the Hardwood Tree Museum)
May 9-10: Indian Territory Pistoliers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum)
May 15: Western Heritage Art Show (Old Frisco Station – Downtown) – Featured art for sale from the western frontier, prairie, Native American, and Cowboy and well as other art. Free event to attend to see the artwork. For more information contact Joan McCoy at [email protected]
May 16: Western Heritage Art Show (Frisco Station – Downtown) – Featured art for sale from the western frontier, prairie, Native American, and Cowboy and well as other art. Free event to attend to see the artwork. For more information contact Joan McCoy at [email protected]
Judge Parker’s Rope War – (Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park – High Noon) Join ThingsToDoInFortSmith.com and KISR 93 for the 2nd annual tug-o-war showdown on the river in downtown Fort Smith! This is family-friendly event is fun to watch or grab the rope and participate! Who will take home to sought after “GOLDEN NOOSE?” Come find out on the 16th of May! Plus, a special opening performance by the Indian Territory Pistoliers at start of the Rope War!
Lawbreakers & Peacemakers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum)
Walking Tour of Garrison Avenue with Judge & Mrs. Parker (benefiting the Fort Smith Museum of History)
Indian Territory Pistoliers – Pioneer covered wagon living history display. (The wagon will be set across the street from from the Fort Smith National Park / Gallows from 12pm-5pm)
Walking Tour of Victorian Homes (sponsored by the Clayton House)
Indian Territory Pistoliers – Pioneer covered wagon living history display. (The wagon will be set across the street from from the Fort Smith National Park / Gallows from 12pm-5pm)
May 18-23: Old Fort Barrel Futurity & Derby (Kay Rodgers Park)
May 23: Sutton Mansion Civil War Hospital (Clayton House)
Movie Night in the Park – (Fort Smith National Historic Site) Come out and watch the original True Grit on an outdoor screen on the lawn of the historic site. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. (Movie starts at 6pm.)
May 23 & 24: Indian Territory Pistoliers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum)
May 24: Cowboy Mounted Shooting Demonstration (Marshals Museum Grounds, Downtown on the River – 10AM & 2PM)
Lawbreakers and Peacemakers on site during the mounted shooting demonstration with an “ole west” town set up, and performances before the shooting takes place.
May 25: IC Church Pancake Breakfast (Parish Center, 6AM) – Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, 7am – Pancake breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, juice, etc, held at Immaculate Conception Church at the head of Garrison Avenue.
Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade and 5K Colordash (Downtown, 10AM) – A community-wide Color 5k (Participants are provided a shirt and showered with color powder at multiple stations throughout the race) leading the Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade and winding through the downtown area of Fort Smith. Unique course, hundreds of participants expected! To sign up and for more details, go to thecolordash5k.com ***REGISTER HERE*** Plus, don’t miss an old west shootout at the start of the parade by the Lawbreakers and Peacemakers!
Optimist Club Carnival – Old Town Club Parking Lot-Garrison Ave
Cowboy Poets (Fort Smith Museum of History – following the Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade)
Indian Territory Pistoliers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum – after parade)
May 25-30: Old Fort Days Rodeo (Kay Rodgers Park)
May 28: Queen’s Tea – honoring current and former rodeo queens and Dandies (1PM-3PM – Fort Smith Museum of History)
May 30: Indian Territory Pistoliers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum)
Optimist Club Rifle Raffle – winner announced at the Old Fort Days Rodeo (Kay Rodgers Park)
May 31: Lawbreakers & Peacemakers Robbing of the Trolley (Fort Smith Trolley Museum)
Indian Territory Pistoliers – Pioneer covered wagon living history display. (The wagon will be set across the street from from the Fort Smith National Park / Gallows from 12pm-5pm)