Fort Smith gears up for Spring Break, Egg Hunts, and Joe Nichols

Warmer weather has finally arrived, making way for a number of exciting events in the Fort Smith region. The coming weeks will include special Spring Break programming at the Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Clayton Conversations focusing on the Shipley Family, the UAFS Alumni Easter Egg Hunt, the Cox Community Concert featuring country star Joe Nichols, and the Super Heroes for Autism 5k.

Spring Break at the River Valley Nature Center

The Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith invites students to enjoy some great Spring Break Special Programs March 21-March 29.

Beginning on Saturday (March 21), the center will offer a variety of courses, guided hikes, crafts classes, and outdoor experiences for families to enjoy. Courses will included kayaking, geocaching 101, archery, turkey calling, and more. Activities will vary each day and will include some programs tailored to specific ages groups.

Programs are free. A complete Spring Break schedule is available online. For more information, contact the Arkansas River Valley Nature Center at 452-3993.

Clayton Conversations: A Holsum History – The Shipley Family
The Clayton House in Fort Smith will continue its “Family History Series” with a presentation by the Shipley family about their three-generation bakery business on March 22.

Fort Smith attorney Benjamin Shipley and his father, Harry Shipley, Jr., will share their memories of Shipley Bread, as well as images reaching back to Harry Shipley, Sr.’s first bakery job in 1904. The speakers will "weave a story beginning with horse-and-buggies, tenacity and 15-hour days, through the Depression and World War II, to industrial modernization." The speakers will share images of Shipley Bread employees shaping loaves and working  in what was once one will most downtown Fort Smith’s most recognizable businesses.

Refreshments and tours will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the program at 1:30 p.m. Admission to the monthly series is free for members of the Fort Smith Heritage Foundation or a $10 donation towards the preservation and programs of the Clayton House. Space is limited, with seating provided first to attendees with reservations. To RSVP, call 783-3000.

UAFS Alumni Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter Bunny will soon make his way through town and UAFS is celebrating with its fourth annual Alumni Easter Egg Hunt on March 29.

Held on the university campus green, the EGGstravaganza will offer children the chance to hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny. A number of "big prize" eggs will be hidden, featuring gifts for winners in each age group. Participants will be able to have their photo taken with the bunny and UAFS mascot Numa. Face painting will also be set up and refreshments will be served.

UAFS alumni children ages 10 and under are invited to take part in the festivities at no charge. Families are asked to bring one non-perishable food item or canned good (per child) to be donated to the River Valley Food Bank. Registration is required to ensure there are enough eggs. For more information, call (877) 303-8237.

Cox Community Concert featuring Joe Nichols
Country music star Joe Nichols will delight fans at the 7th annual Cox Community Concert on April 2.

A Rogers, Ark., native, Nichols has experienced great success in the country music industry, with hits such as “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” “Brokenheartsville,”  and “The Impossible." He has earned numerous awards and is currently promoting his latest album, "Crickets."

A partnership between Cox and the City of Fort Smith, the event offers locals and out-of-town visitors the chance to enjoy the beauty of the riverfront, while hearing great, live music. Gates will open at 6 p.m., with Arkansas-favorite Barrett Barber taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Nichols will perform at 8:15 p.m.

Tickets are free, but are required to enter. They be are available, while they last, at Cox Solutions Stores in Fort Smith, Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs and Harrison. This year, guests are also asked to bring a minimum of two non-perishable food items to donate at the door, to support local food banks.

Food and beverage vendors will be on-hand at the event, with sale proceeds benefitting the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs and the Mercy Foundation. Guests are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the performance. No food or drinks from outside the gate will be allowed on the premises. For more information, call 785-4225.

Super Heroes for Autism 5k
Super Heroes come in many forms and many are needed to help in the fight against autism. They will come to the rescue at the annual Super Heroes for Autism 5k on April 4. Race events will include a 5K for adults and one for children ages three to 12, as well as one-mile walk  adults and children.

Held at Chaffee Crossing's Well Lake, the event will get underway with registration at 7 a.m. The 5k will start at 8 a.m., followed by the one-mile run/walk at 8:10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers and to participants with the best costumes.

Registration is available online. Prices range from $10 to $30 depending on event and age. Early registration discounts end March 23.

Proceeds benefit Developmental Wings, which seeks  to provide customized educational, developmental, and advocacy programs for people with autism and developmental disabilities in under-served populations in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. For more information, call 459-0645.