Mayor Hosts Family-Friendly New Year’s Event

Stars are hung and balloons are filled for the Fort Smith mayor’s family-themed indoor New Year’s Eve celebration. 

The non-alcoholic festivities with dancing, a balloon drop, and carnival-style games kick off at 8 p.m. and last through midnight. Admission is free. Tickets will be sold for various activities.

Guests of all ages will be entertained with performances from Irish dancers, an improv comedy group and a live band.

Local high school students in the classic rock cover band “Just the Chips” are excited to perform at the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve event. “It’ great – one of the biggest events we’ve had,” said band member Ethan Echols.

A special toddler activity room with bounce-arounds, movies, games and a Piñata Celebration will also be available.

Tim Seeberg, General Manager of the Fort Smith Convention Center, said guests can get their pictures drawn by a caricature artist or a temporary tattoo painted on.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.

Those who bring two non-perishable food items will receive five free tickets.

The food items will be donated to the Children’s Emergency Shelter in Fort Smith. The shelter cares for kids who have been removed from their homes and placed in state custody.

Executive Director Jack Moffett said the donated food will help the shelter’s operations.

“We feed 22,000 meals a year,” said Moffett. “Food that is donated to the shelter is food that doesn’t have to be bought. So anytime we can get a donation of food, it’s very beneficial to us.”

For more information call the Fort Smith Convention Center at 479-788-8932.