Like any great idea, this too started with beer and burgers on the back deck over an open fire…sort of. A few years ago we had some friends over (to be left un-named to protect the innocent). One of my wife’s friends brought her new boyfriend over. That’s fine. I love meeting new people, especially when beer is involved. As the night progressed and the cooler became more and more empty, we got on the topic of this great city. “This town sucks; it’s dead, THERE’S NOTHING TO DO IN THIS TOWN…” he cried after he successfully broke backyard party foul #37, “offending the host.” It happens though. We’ve all been there. Anyway, we proceeded on with this topic of discussion as I was simply amazed at his passion of really not liking this town. Despite my first reaction to give him the ole, “if ya don’t like it, git the hell out” line (I tend to go further into redneck it seems the more beer I drink), I decided to humor him and get into an all out discussion. After about an hour, I was exhausted and he had finally tripped and fallen during his last nature call (backyard party foul number 61), so essentially, the conversation was over and it was time for him to go home. (By the way, my wife’s friend later thanked me for helping her to see the REAL MAN behind in her newfound beau.) Needless to say, he didn’t make the cut. But he did inspire inspiration.
I really thought on that line, “THERE’S NOTHING TO DO IN THIS TOWN” as I’ve heard it more than once. I’m a very involved guy, always running and always doing something, sometimes even getting exhausted doing all the things I do, so how could anyone POSSIBLY think there’s nothing to do here? So, the quest started to find a way to get out the word that yes, there is in fact plenty to do here and not just here, but our entire region. So started the “things to do in fort smith” Facebook that was nothing more than me posting about things that either I would be going to myself, or interested me in some way. Then I started to ask for feedback from others to help me post things that were coming up. I began to search the Google box on “things to do” subscribe to newsletters, e-alerts, picked up the latest copy of eFort Smith, @Urban, perused local websites…..Holy cow, there are TONS of things to do! If only there was one site, one central hub that housed ALL things to do (from an entertainment perspective) wouldn’t that make it easier to find something to do? What’s the best way to do that? A website of course! After some creative brainstorming and some initial investments that ultimately failed, I tabled the idea, played on Facebook, and opened another beer.
Yesterday, May 9th 2013, thingstodoinfortsmith.com became a reality. No more looking all over the place when trying to find something to do. No more excuses for folks that have an event they want to promote to not have a real opportunity to do so. Not just a form to fill out (yes, we have that) but a personal touch by helping promote event. We don’t put everything on this site, and you know what, we might miss something too, but that’s where YOU come in. We want you to have a feeling that this site is a part of your own. We welcome feedback and the option to write about something you’re excited about to be posted. This site is to be fun, informative and will straight CRUSH the hater that claims, “there’s nothing to do in this town.” There are other sources to find things to do, we know this, but there’s is not a SINGLE source for ONLY things to do. Here, you won’t read about the latest vote or city ordinance (we might tell you where to go to find it though). This site will combine ALL the efforts put forth in trying to get the word out, and be happy about sharing our info with everyone. After all, isn’t that what the internet is all about? Mass sharing quickly, efficiently? Although we do have a rocket scientist on staff, it became very clear very quickly that, folks, this is NOT rocket science. If you’re looking for that, you’ll have to open a new window.
Please spread the word about us. It’s technically just day 1, so be patient with us. There’s no doubt a genuine interest in this area, and we’re here to deliver an online calendar, an interactive interface, and digital solution to THINGS TO DO IN FORT SMITH. Now, before you peruse the site to find that there are events posted in NWA or Little Rock or Tulsa, just know that this site isn’t restricted to Fort Smith and the River Valley. There are tons to do around Fort Smith. We did set a “radius” and we’ll post about things that are a reasonable driving distance away from the Greater Fort Smith Region. (Yes, Dallas is a reasonable driving distance, but it didn’t make the cut, sorry). We live in an area that is so close to so much. We’re using that to bring you up to speed on just how great living in Fort Smith really is. I look at us as being in the center of great.
Enjoy the site. It’s a constantly moving piece. Help us by sharing our link, liking our posts on Facebook and just old school word of mouth. There is so much to do here. Now, let’s tell the masses!
Rham Cunningham
Inventor of Cool Things / Things to Do Co-Conspirator