Fort Smith Region to celebrate Darby’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day and Bootleggers

The coming weeks are filled with reasons to celebrate. General William Darby turns 103, Valentine's Day returns, there will be a party for Shane and Bootleggers get their own ball.

• William O. Darby Birthday Celebration
Celebrate the birthday of one of Fort Smith's most famous citizens, the late General William O. Darby, at The Fort Smith Museum of History on Feb. 8. The museum invites everyone to come enjoy  cake and punch in honor of the WWII hero, who became known for founding the famous Darby Rangers.

Guests will have the chance to tour the Darby exhibit room and view a film on the legendary general, who would have turned 103 on Feb. 8. The birthday party will run from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission to the celebration is free with a paid museum admission, which costs $5 for adults and $2 for children. The event is open to the public. For more information, call 783-7841.

• Clayton House Themed Afternoon Tea-Victorian Poetry
The Clayton House in Fort Smith will host an old-fashioned afternoon tea, set to a Valentine Victorian Poetry theme on Feb. 8. Guests of the historic home will enjoy sipping on tea and dining on delicious desserts from Creative Kitchen, while hearing works from some of the era's most renowned poets.

Local poet Sue Ann Hamiter Frizzell will be on-hand reciting classic Victorian verse and sharing about the literary art form. Harpist Hollye Dickinson will also perform. The tea will begin at 2 p.m. Cost is $25 for non-members and $20 for members of the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation. Reservations are required, and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling The Clayton House at 783-3000.

• Greenwood Prom Fair
Prom season is just around the corner and young ladies looking to score a nearly-new dress at a great deal can head over to the Greenwood Prom Fair on Feb. 8.

The fair will feature hundreds of gently-used prom, cotillion, and formal dresses, as well as shoes, and accessories. This year's sale will also include a selection of new dresses, make-up and shoes.

Ladies wishing to sell their former prom, cotillion, or formal dresses can participate in the event by dropping consignment items off on Feb. 7 from 5-8 p.m. at Greenwood High School. A $3 drop-off fee per item will be charged, but will be returned if items sell. The seller will receive 80% of the sale proceeds, with the other 20% benefitting Greenwood Bulldog Breakout, which provides Greenwood High School seniors with a safe and fun event to celebrate graduation in May.

The Prom Fair will be set-up in the Greenwood High School Student Union and run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick-up will take place following the event from 2-4 p.m. Admission is $2. For more information, call Debbie Brown at 479-252-0299.

• Party on the Patio
The Shane Bailey Memorial Music Society will present "Party on the Patio," a pre-Valentine's Day bash, on Feb. 13 Beef O'Brady's in Fort Smith. The concert will feature Don Bailey & Friends, and several local musicians including Rick Endel, Rick Ware, and more than a dozen others. The party will get started at 7 p.m. No cover will be charged, but guests are encouraged to donate to The Shane Bailey Memorial Music Society, which "provides funding, education, and other opportunities to help foster creative music and artistic expression," in honor of the late Shane Bailey.

For more information, visit the group's Facebook page.

• Hearts of Hope Dinner and Dance
Couples looking for a break from the usual restaurant Valentine's Day date can head over to the "Hearts of Hope" event on Feb. 14 benefitting the Next Step Homeless Services of Fort Smith. Guests will enjoy a romantic night of cocktails, dinner, music and dancing, all while supporting a great cause.

The evening will kick-off at the Riverfront Pavilion in Fort Smith with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Sweet and Lowdown. A silent auction will also be held.

All proceeds from "Hearts of Hope" support the Next Step Homeless Services of Fort Smith which helps "homeless clients seek solutions to homelessness through individual case management with direction toward self-sufficiency." Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online. For more information, call 479-242-5100.

• Bootlegger's Ball
The Fountain of Youth will celebrate its 25th anniversary by throwing its first annual Fountain for Families Gala-Bootlegger's Ball on Feb. 15. The 1920s-themed event will be held at the Choctaw Casino and Hotel in Pocola and will include dinner, drinks, dancing, and lots of great entertainment.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Guests will be treated to a lavish buffet-style meal, along with live music provided by the band Cutthroat Trout. The evening will also include live and silent auctions, which will feature custom-made jewelry, art, and a number of gift cards and certificates.

All proceeds support The Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center, which provides care activities, nutritious meals and a 'family feel' environment for senior citizens and other dependent adults. The Center also seeks  to "provide peace of mind, and a much needed break from constant care giving," to caregivers and other family members.
Tickets for the ball are $75 and can be purchased at the center or by calling 784-7782.