Fort Smith region to celebrate art, survivors, music and the fair

The Fort Smith region will have much to celebrate in September including the 37th annual CAE Adult Artist Competition, Wings of Hope Butterfly Release, and the return of the annual Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair and all the fried food that comes with it.

CAE 37th annual Adult Artist Competition Exhibition
The Center for Art and Education in Van Buren will debut its 37th annual Adult Artist Competition Exhibition with an opening reception and awards ceremony on Sept. 7.

Featuring artwork from 50 different local artists, the exhibit will include pieces in a range of mediums including watercolor, oil, acrylic, graphics, colored pencil and many others. Awards will be presented to the top artists, as determined by the judges panel.

The reception will be held at CAE from 1 to 4 p.m., with the awards ceremony at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Works will remain on display in the CAE gallery through Sept. 26 and will be available for sale. For more information, call 474-7767.

Wings of Hope Butterfly release
In honor of Sept. being National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the River Valley Chapter of the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition (ARVOCC) will host a "Wings of Hope" event on Sept. 13.

The celebration of survivors will be held at the Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith and will include music and a butterfly release. A beautiful wall hanging, crafted by the Support House Quilters, will also be on display for gynecological cancer survivors to sign.

Drawings for door prizes will be held for those in attendance. Light refreshments will also be served. The release ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Admission to the friendly event is free, and donations are welcome. For more information, call 883-3379.

Fountain of Music
The Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center will present an evening of songs through the decades with its Fountain of Music event on Sept. 13.

The concert will feature classics from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, as well some of today's most popular music. More than a dozen local artists will perform. Fountain of Music will also include a silent auction. Refreshments will be available at the snack bar.

The concert will be held at the King Opera House in historic downtown Van Buren. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m., with the show to begin at 7 p.m. General admission is $10. All proceeds benefit the Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center which serves "as a safe haven and loving refuge for caregiving families." For more information, call 484-7782.

Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair
The 78th annual Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair will come to town Sept. 19-27.

Hosted at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith, the local tradition will feature fun games, entertainment, and food for fair-goers of all ages. Rides, including the always popular Tilt-a-Whirl and Scrambler will return, along with a Fun Zone Fun House,  Martian Maze, and the midway centerpiece, a 70-foot "Century Wheel' Ferris wheel.

In addition to rides and games, the fair will host the 2014 Youth Talent Contest, a Creative Arts Competition, livestock exhibitions and awards, and  the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair Pageant. Entertainment will also include Monster Trucks, the Hangin' Judge Bull Riding event and a demolition derby.

Country star Pat Green will perform at the Hugh Hardin Arena on Sept. 26 beginning at 8 p.m. Other musicians will include Polo Urias y su Maquina Nortena, All That Remains, and more. Entry to the concerts are free with a paid gate admission.

Gate admission is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 3-11, and free for ages two and under. The week will include several armband nights, as well as a "Food Day at the Fair" that will allow free entry until  5 p.m.  with the donation of one canned good or non-perishable food item. Special advance ticket packages are also available.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 783-2393. For a complete schedule and entertainment line-up, visit the fair's website.

Celebration in the Park
Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance will commemorate National Recovery Month with a Celebration in the Park on Sept. 20 that will include free rides, children's games, and live music.

Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes will headline the entertainment that will also feature several  other regional musicians and artists. A number of local agencies that support recovery will also be on-hand offering information about their programs and services.

The party will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance offices, located at 311 South 70th Street in Fort Smith.

Admission to the celebration is free. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call Joni Padilla at 785-9432.