“I’m sorry.”

I know the comment is meant in jest, and I know it’s supposed to make me chuckle slightly and shake my head. I realize that it’s not a literal sentiment and that the delivery is generally followed by a “No, but really…” type of statement.  But if you happen to be the next individual who responds with this phrase when I disclose that I just recently moved to Fort Smith, you’d better love seeing a fat man cry out of desperation and exhaustion.

This supposedly joking statement, “I’m sorry,” is given by many folks, for many reasons. Some will quote economic climate in the Fort Smith area as a reason for their sarcastic ire. The job situation is less than ideal, to be sure, but not unlike what this country is experiencing on a much larger scale. Others will quote a lack of certain amenities or decent people within the locale, which I love pointing out is a direct reflection of the individual making the statement, as they are a resident of the community, as well. And yet others will lament plainly, “There’s nothing to do in Fort Smith.”

Huh? That’s a new one on me.

Let’s first break down that statement. The word “There’s” is a contraction, easily extrapolated out to its expanded form of “There is.” ” This is also a declarative statement. This means that the commentator is about to make a statement that indicates they believe something exists, and that this statement is also factual and true. “Nothing.” This, obviously, is the opposite of “something,” and means that the sum total of what there is, is zero. “to do This combination of words is generally taken to mean “activities or events in which one can participate.” This could be swimming, maybe, or a baseball game, perhaps. Maybe it’s a concert, or a play. Could be that it refers to a simple cookout in a friend’s backyard, or a park to play in with the kids. The point being, this could refer to a variety of things that one can, again, participate in. “in Fort Smith.” Now you’ve done gone and made it personal.

The phrase “there’s nothing to do in Fort Smith” is bothersome, and as someone who has recently moved to the area with four children and a wife, it’s also discouraging at times. Having lived elsewhere for a while before moving “back home”, the first question I usually have for those with this common lament is “What is it that you want to do that isn’t available here?” This question often brings up valid amenities and activities that Fort Smith doesn’t currently offer. No, there’s no zoo here. Nope, you can’t walk into a museum with international, million dollar artwork on display. Sure, largely popular bands that you specifically love don’t play here. And, you’re right, there’s not a gigantic sports arena that hosts a national team in town.  But simply because those statements are true does not mean that “there’s nothing to do in Fort Smith.” And, as a point of…well, being belligerent, I guess, I’d argue that Fort Smith actually serves as a great central hub for access to all of those aforementioned things, with many of them being under just a few hours away. The next question that normally immediately follows the first is, “What are you doing about it?” I marvel at the mindset that the city or county governments should just have everything available and at-hand for its citizens, without any effort or merit given from the citizens themselves. The community my family and I moved from definitely had a lot of “things to do”, but we didn’t credit our city or county governments with that – we credited like-minded citizens and people coming together to make it happen.

Back to the statement at hand…is there really “nothing to do in Fort Smith?” As I mentioned earlier, I have four children. Since we’ve moved to Fort Smith, which has only been a matter of about 1 month, the wee ones have had the opportunity to do the following:

Story-time every week at our branch of the Fort Smith public library

Attend an improvisational comedy workshop for kids at the Fort Smith Public Library, Main Branch (thanks, Naturally Improvable!)

Ride a freakin’ ferris wheel and carousel for a buck apiece at the downtown riverside park

Eat real corn-husk tamales that were made in a converted VW bug for the first time (thanks, Shorty’s!)

Play putt putt at Creekmore Park

Get lost at Creekmore Park and throw their mother into hysterics (that place is huge!)

Drink smoothies and relax on the patio at Sweet Bay

Walk the nature trail at the Janet Huckabee Nature Center

Watch snakes and other animal getting fed at the Janet Huckabee Nature Center, also managing to throw their mother into hysterics (my wife is a saint, folks)

Ride bikes through Chaffee Crossing

Lament that the Aquatic Center won’t be here for a while

Tour the downtown Fort Smith History Museum

And that’s just for the kids. My wife and myself? Between the two of us, we’ve already enjoyed many activities and events that Fort Smith has to offer in our short time here:

Concert at the Rib Room (2, actually!)

Date night at the MovieLounge (ever been? This place takes you away!)

Downtown Fort Smith Farmer’s Market shopping on Saturdays (seriously, amazing vendors there with so much good stuff)

Drink Frozen Mega Mochas and relax on the patio at Sweet Bay (the smoothies subdue the kids!)

Worshipping on Sundays at Covenant Grace Presbyterian (in the old Brunswick Chapel downtown – truly beautiful!)

Multiple sponsored and timed 5k’s

Workout bootcamp at the Riverfront Park (a sunrise like no other!)

These are just a few of the things to do that we’ve managed to scrounge up in Fort Smith with minimal close friendships or outside references. Based off of these alone, the statement “there’s nothing to do in Fort Smith” holds no merit. And this list doesn’t even include the cookouts, porch-sitting sessions, and lively games of beersbie that we’ve had with friends and family.

The items on these lists may not appeal to everyone, but there is so much more going on out there. It doesn’t take much effort at all to find them and get involved. Gamers, I see Hawg Head comics posting weekly sessions at their shop. Theatre-lovers, the Fort Smith Little Theatre is always having a show that far exceeds local theatre quality and expectations. Foodies, there is always a little nook or cranny left for you to explore (Yellow Umbrella, anyone?!).  Music-lovers – Summer Jam a short while ago, and Bluesfest on the horizon! Volunteers for charity and non-profits – whoa! The opportunities there are overwhelming!

Nothing to do? When’s the last time you looked (really looked, not just googled and gave up)? What you want to do isn’t available? What have you done to help make it available? I once heard a wise man say, “If you’re bored, you’re boring.” I’d like to add on to that, if I may:  if there’s nothing to do, then you’re doing nothing about it.

Thad  Crawford / Freelance Writer – TTDIFS