Main Street Fort Smith invites the community and media to pop on by tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24, for a celebration of the new sidewalk mural “Mind Gap” by Northwest Arkansas-based artist TigerSasha in the 7th Street pedestrian corridor — the alley between 702 Garrison Avenue and the B.G. Hendrix State Building at 616 Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith.
📅 Tuesday, June 24
⏰ 2:00 – 3:30 PM
📍 7th Street Pedestrian Corridor, Downtown Fort Smith
🎨 Free & Open to the Public
This casual block party-style event will include:
● A chance to meet the artist, TigerSasha
● Popcorn from The Popped Popcorn Company and light refreshments
● A walk-through of the newly revitalized corridor and a first look at “Mind Gap”
The mural is part of Main Street Fort Smith’s larger alleyway activation project, which includes bistro lighting that helps connect Garrison Avenue to Rogers Avenue, linking the Belle Grove Historic District and The Bakery District through a more inviting and walkable pathway.
The mural was made possible in part by the Public Art Grant Program from the Division of Arkansas Heritage, funded by the 1/8 cent conservation tax (Amendment 75), and with generous support from the Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID).
Main Street Fort Smith also thanks the City of Fort Smith for its partnership and support in bringing this creative corridor to life.
Media Welcome
Media outlets are invited to attend for photos, video, and interviews with artist TigerSasha and Main Street Fort Smith Executive Director Amanda Hager.
About Main Street Fort Smith: 411 Garrison Avenue STE 109 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 mainstreetfs.org Main Street Fort Smith is a nonprofit organization committed to creating vibrant spaces in downtown Fort Smith through business development, arts and culture, special events, and the promotion of attractive amenities. Learn more at www.mainstreetfs.org.
For more information or to coordinate coverage, please contact:
Amanda Hager
Executive Director, Main Street
Fort Smith director@mainstreetfs.org
(479) 462-9132
www.mainstreetfs.org
#theGAC 2025 and 2026 Basketball Championships Awarded to Fort Smith
July 23, 2024
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Tuesday, the Great American Conference announced that Southside and Northside Arenas in Fort Smith will serve as the venues for the 2025 and 2026 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, respectively.
Both the Southside and Northside Arenas opened in 2021 and feature capacities of 2,300.
"Hosting the GAC Conference Championship not only brings visitors and spending to the Fort Smith area, it also showcases the community to potential workforce talent for future recruitment," said Ashleigh Bachert, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). "Events like this are more than sports. They raise the perception of the community in the eyes of thousands of people who are looking for places to play, work, and live," she continued. "It's also a great opportunity for our local community to experience high-quality sports in their own backyard."
The 2025 Championship will take place from Thursday, March 6th through Sunday, March 9th. The 2026 event will run from Thursday, March 5th through Sunday, March 8th. The tournament will feature the top eight men’s and women’s teams.
“The hospitality shown by the CVB and Fort Smith Public Schools on our site visit blew us away,” GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said. “That energy paired with the amenities that the city offers will make Fort Smith a great place for GAC basketball fans to experience postseason basketball in 2025 and 2026.”
Bruin Fieldhouse in Bartlesville, Oklahoma hosted the Men’s and Women’s Championships from 2012 to 2020. The league contested the 2021 Championships across various campus sites. FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma served as the venue from 2022 through 2024.
“We are grateful to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation for hosting our basketball championships at FireLake Arena the past three years,” Prewitt said. “David Qualls and the arena staff are first-rate and worked hard to give the GAC a quality experience.”
2025 GAC Basketball Championships Schedule - Games Played at Southside Arena
Thursday, March 6
- Women’s Game 1: Noon – Quarterfinal #1: No. 2 vs. No. 7
- Men’s Game 1: 2:15 PM – Quarterfinal #1: No. 2 vs. No. 7
- Women’s Game 2: 5:45 PM – Quarterfinal #2: No. 1 vs. No. 8
- Men’s Game 2: 8:00 PM – Quarterfinal #2: No. 1 vs. No. 8
Friday, March 7
- Women’s Game 3: Noon – Quarterfinal #3: No. 4 vs. No. 5
- Women’s Game 4: 2:15 PM – Quarterfinal #4: No. 3 vs. No. 6
- Men’s Game 3: 5:45 PM – Quarterfinal #3: No. 4 vs. No. 5
- Men’s Game 4: 8:00 PM – Quarterfinal #4: No. 3 vs. No. 6
Saturday, March 8
- Women’s Game 5: Noon – Semifinal #1: Winner G2 vs Winner G3
- Women’s Game 6: 2:15 PM – Semifinal #2: Winner G1 vs Winner G4
- Men’s Game 5: 5:45 PM – Semifinal #1: Winner G2 vs Winner G3
- Men’s Game 6: 8:00 PM – Semifinal #2: Winner G1 vs Winner G4
Sunday, March 9
- Women’s Game 7: 1:00 PM – Final: Winner G5 vs Winner G6
- Men’s Game 7: 3:30 PM – Final: Winner G5 vs Winner G6
2026 GAC Basketball Championships Schedule - Games Played at Northside Arena
Thursday, March 5
- Men’s Game 1: Noon – Quarterfinal #1: No. 2 vs. No. 7
- Women’s Game 1: 2:15 PM – Quarterfinal #1: No. 2 vs. No. 7
- Men’s Game 2: 5:45 PM – Quarterfinal #2: No. 1 vs. No. 8
- Women’s Game 2: 8:00 PM – Quarterfinal #2: No. 1 vs. No. 8
Friday, March 6
- Men’s Game 3: Noon – Quarterfinal #3: No. 4 vs. No. 5
- Men’s Game 4: 2:15 PM – Quarterfinal #4: No. 3 vs. No. 6
- Women’s Game 3: 5:45 PM – Quarterfinal #3: No. 4 vs. No. 5
- Women’s Game 4: 8:00 PM – Quarterfinal #4: No. 3 vs. No. 6
Saturday, March 7
- Men’s Game 5: Noon – Semifinal #1: Winner G2 vs Winner G3
- Men’s Game 6: 2:15 PM – Semifinal #2: Winner G1 vs Winner G4
- Women’s Game 5: 5:45 PM – Semifinal #1: Winner G2 vs Winner G3
- Women’s Game 6: 8:00 PM – Semifinal #2: Winner G1 vs Winner G4
Sunday, March 8
- Men’s Game 7: 1:00 PM – Final: Winner G5 vs Winner G6
- Women’s Game 7: 3:30 PM – Final: Winner G5 vs Winner G6
--- WWW.
Media Contact:
Eric Moyer | GAC Associate Commissioner for Communications