Every year in Santa Fe, thousands gather to witness one of the most unique and unforgettable traditions in the country. A towering 50-foot marionette known as “Old Man Gloom” is set ablaze in a dramatic community celebration. The tradition is both symbolic and spectacular. People write down their worries, regrets, and hardships, then “feed” them to Zozobra. When the fire ignites, their gloom literally goes up in flames making way for joy, renewal, and community spirit. The fiery spectacle is accompanied by live music, dancing, and a dazzling performance that must be seen to be believed. Watch the Zozobra Fire from Anywhere This year, you don’t have to travel to Santa Fe to experience the magic. Live coverage from KOAT streams nationwide on Very Local on Friday, August 29, starting at 8 p.m. CDT. The burning of Zozobra begins at 10 p.m. CDT. Watch for FREE . Whether you’re drawn to the cultural tradition, the mesmerizing visuals, or the chance to release your own gloom in solidarity, this is a night you won’t want to miss. 👉 Tune in on Very Local for a front-row seat to one of America’s most extraordinary celebrations. You can download the Very Local app for free from here.

The Benton County Fairgrounds came alive on Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16, 2025, as thousands gathered for SOAR NWA that benefits a non-profit called Open Avenues . A beloved annual celebration of adventure, entertainment, and community spirit. Over two unforgettable days, families, friends, and visitors from across the region experienced a one-of-a-kind blend of thrilling attractions and heartfelt connections. The signature highlight of SOAR NWA did not disappoint, as glowing hot air balloons illuminated the night sky in a breathtaking display. Guests were treated to tethered rides, offering a rare bird’s-eye view of the fairgrounds, making memories that soared just as high as the balloons. Click here to Watch the Mission Behind the Balloons The 2025 event once again proved why it offered adventure for thrill seekers, fun for families, and a chance for the community to come together in a celebration of summer. As the lights dimmed and the final notes of music faded, one thing was clear: SOAR NWA 2025 left attendees with unforgettable memories and anticipation for what’s to come next year. It's more than just a festival, SOAR NWA has become a cherished tradition in Northwest Arkansas. Check out the gallery below. Click Below For Gallery Soar NWA 2025 Proud Sponsors of Soar NWA

Get ready for a fun-filled evening in support of an amazing cause! Special Olympics Arkansas and Burton Pools and Spas are teaming up once again to host the 2nd Annual Duck Pluck on Thursday, August 28th, at Burton Pools and Spas, located at 6121 South Zero in Fort Smith. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Cheese and Quackers  reception, where guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with local Special Olympics Arkansas athletes. At 6:00 p.m., the excitement kicks into high gear with the live Duck Pluck Ceremony, where lucky participants can win one of eight grand prizes by adopting a duck. 🐥 Go here to adopt your duck 🐥 This event is more than just fun and prizes! It’s about supporting the mission of Special Olympics Arkansas, an organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of sports, health programs, education, and community engagement. With over 19,500 athletes and 16,000 volunteers across the state, Special Olympics Arkansas creates opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to thrive, breaking down barriers of isolation, intolerance, and inactivity. The Duck Pluck also supports the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Arkansas. Nearly 100 agencies and 1,500 officers across the state dedicate their time year-round to raising awareness and funds, culminating in the symbolic running of the Flame of Hope  into the Opening Ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions. Their efforts ensure athletes have access to training and year-round competition opportunities. You can find out more about Special Olympics Arkansas here

Filmmakers Hezekiah Bennetts and Felicity Hull presented Club Kinkead’s , a short documentary drawn from a four-year project on Fort Smith’s only remaining drag bar. This film was awarded the Fort Smith Proud award at the Fort Smith International Film Festival. The film highlights the club’s history, its performers, and the creativity of shows ranging from traditional drag to full-scale musicals like Titanic,  staged with Brothers Fox Productions. The couple, welcomed into the community they documented, aimed to show the richness of drag as an art form and the humanity of the people behind the makeup. While a feature-length version is in the works, Club Kinkead’s  offers a glimpse into a vibrant cultural hub that continues to thrive with weekly performances. Click Below to Watch the Interview Proud Media Sponsor of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

At the Fort Smith International Film Festival, filmmaker Shonie Delarosa debuted The Arrangement , the first feature-length romantic comedy filmed in the Navajo language. Inspired by family traditions and personal connections, the film explores arranged marriage, a practice once common in Navajo culture. Shot in remote desert locations under extreme heat, the production faced challenges but became a milestone for cultural preservation. Funded in part by the Navajo Nation Film Office, the project required most dialogue to be in Navajo, underscoring the urgency of revitalizing the language. Click below to watch the Interview Proud Media Sponsors for the Fort Smith International Film Festival

We spoke to Wendy O’Connor of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office at the Fort Smith International Film Festival. She highlighted the state’s support for filmmakers through production incentives, location assistance, and training programs. The state also hosts major festivals like DeadCenter in June and Circle Cinema in July, providing platforms for regional and national filmmakers. Arkansas creators are encouraged to submit their films, strengthening connections across state lines. Click Below to Watch the Interview You can go here to find out more about the Oklahoma Film and Music Office https://www.okfilmmusic.org/ Proud Media Sponsors of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

Director Garrett Brennaman brought his short film The Fight  to the Fort Smith International Film Festival, telling the story of a young boy named Noah who must confront his deepest fears while home alone with his sister. Behind the scenes, the production leaned on creativity and resourcefulness, with special effects makeup artist Shauna Murray transforming minimal materials into something striking. The result was a chilling presence that heightened the story’s tension while keeping the focus on Noah’s emotional journey. Brennaman hopes audiences leave with one lasting message: fear does not own you, you can overcome it. Click Below to Watch The Interview Proud Media Sponsors of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

Filmmaker Zach Bliss brought his short film The Good Twin  to the Fort Smith International Film Festival, a proof-of-concept thriller about a man who assumes his identical brother’s life as a cop, husband, and son of the police chief. Originally conceived as a commercially driven project, the story grew into a personal passion piece as Bliss wove in real experiences and layered drama. Balancing roles as writer, director, actor, and producer proved both rewarding and challenging, but the project has already drawn interest from industry veterans and A-list talent, fueling momentum toward a feature-length adaptation. Bliss hopes the film delivers pure entertainment, offering audiences a suspenseful escape rooted in classic storytelling. With The Good Twin , Bliss aims to capture the thrill of deception and identity while building toward a larger cinematic vision. Updates and details about the project can be found at thegoodtwinmovie.com . Click Below to Watch the Interview Proud Media Sponsors of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

Filmmaker Chris Coursey of Native Fable Movie Production presented Siren of the Woods  at the Fort Smith International Film Festival, a Cherokee-language horror film inspired by traditional stories of Deer Woman. Featuring a majority Native American cast and crew, the project was developed with help from language translator Marlene, who worked with Coursey to adapt the script entirely into Cherokee with subtitles for accessibility. Though not all cast members were fluent speakers, many embraced the challenge and saw the project as a chance to deepen their connection to the language. Now in his second year at the festival, Coursey credits the event’s support for helping showcase Native filmmakers and their work. His team continues developing projects under Native Fable Movie Production, including an upcoming anthology series. Click Below to Watch the Interview You can keep up with the film @nativefable_movie_production on Instagram or Native Fable Movie Production on Facebook. Proud Media Sponsors of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

Jeff Porter, co-CEO of Porter Craig Film and Media Distribution, returned to the Fort Smith International Film Festival for the second year of the MidAmerica Film Market. Designed to bring industry resources and knowledge to the southern region, traditionally only available at major markets like Cannes or Santa Monica, the event is quickly becoming a valuable platform for filmmakers. Last year’s launch drew international and domestic participants, while this year has seen even greater growth, with creators returning not just with ideas but with completed films now showcased and judged. Porter highlighted how technology is empowering independent filmmakers to compete at higher levels, encouraging collaboration, learning, and team-building as key to success. With Fort Smith as a partner, the MidAmerica Film Market is establishing itself as a hub for filmmakers to connect, grow, and share their work. Click below to Watch the Interview 👉 https://www.midamericafilmmarket.com Proud Media Sponsor of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

Director Russ Kirkpatrick, along with Susan’s daughters Heather Miller and Emily Shireman, shared their film Susan  at the Fort Smith International Film Festival. The award-winning documentary, which won Best Feature Documentary at the Fort Smith Film Festival, follows their family’s journey with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Aphasia, capturing both the challenges and resilience that come with caregiving. Filmed over several years, it offers a rare inside look at the impact of dementia while also serving as an advocacy piece to raise awareness and reduce isolation for families facing similar struggles. Through screenings, digital platforms, and the ongoing work of Susan’s daughters, the film continues to inspire conversations and change around dementia care worldwide. Find out more about the documentary at susansdoc.com . Click Below to Watch the Interview Proud Media Sponsor of the Fort Smith International Film Festival

At the Fort Smith International Film Festival, writer and director Dathan Smith introduced audiences to his gripping series Life Anthologies , an episodic drama that explores how people face the certainty of their own mortality. The season finale, screened at the festival, delves into the mysterious technology behind the life cards while continuing to highlight the show’s mix of genres and storytelling styles. With episodes already streaming on Fubo, Amazon Prime, and other platforms, Smith noted that the enthusiastic audience response has already set the stage for a second season Click Below To Watch Interview To find out more or to watch other episodes: Website:   LifeAnthologies.com , Social Media:  Follow Life Anthologies  on platforms like Facebook and Instagram under the handle @LifeAnthologies , Streaming Platforms:  Episodes 1–4 are available now on Fubo  and Amazon Prime Proud Media Sponsor of the Fort Smith International Film Festival