👋 Hey River Valley Food Lovers!

This week is packed with flavor — and a few great ways to get involved in the community.

We’re celebrating National Donut Day, spotlighting Veterans Day events, welcoming a new Bed & Breakfast in Van Buren, looking ahead to Alma’s first Food Truck Festival, and reminding you where to discover + submit local events happening across the River Valley.

Let’s dig in 👇

National Donut Day celebrates a delicious tradition dating back to Dutch settlers who introduced “olie koeken”—early fried treats—in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Over the years, these oil cakes evolved into today’s beloved ring-shaped donuts, especially after the early 1900s with the help of new donut-making machinery.

Looking to join the festivities?

Local River Valley favorites are serving up fresh pastries and friendly smiles.

Popular stops include Irish Maid Donuts, The Donut Palace, Sugar Llamas, and Sunny Donuts in Fort Smith, Donut Palace and Paul’s Bakery in Van Buren, and Smith Donuts in Alma.

Whether grabbing a treat for yourself or sharing a dozen with coworkers, today offers the perfect excuse to enjoy a sweet bite and support beloved bakeries in our community.

Happy National Donut Day! 🍩

Veterans Day celebrations are arriving in the River Valley, offering meaningful ways to salute local heroes.  

Fort Smith hosts the Regional Veterans Day Parade at Chaffee Crossing on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with a Veterans Honors Ceremony at 10 AM and parade kickoff at noon.  

This gathering is Arkansas’s largest Veterans Day event, uniting veterans, military groups, families, and the community in recognition of their service.  

Downtown Van Buren will honor veterans with its annual parade on Sunday, November 9 at 2:00 PM, featuring local bands, organizations, and community pride.  

Residents are encouraged to nominate a veteran or veteran-owned business for a special spotlight in a future feature, supporting those who strengthen our neighborhoods.  

The community’s gratitude shines bright—thank you to every veteran and their families for your service and sacrifice.

The Josselin Inn Bed & Breakfast is opening in downtown Van Buren at 410 Drennen, inviting the community to its grand opening celebration on Sunday, November 9, from 1 to 5 PM.

Guests can tour the newly restored inn, enjoy live entertainment, and explore individually themed rooms, each with its own unique story.

Local musician Ashtyn Barbaree will provide live music throughout the afternoon, enriching the festive, welcoming atmosphere.

The inn blends historic inspiration with modern flair, featuring standout rooms like the Parisian-inspired Poppies Room, the patriotic 1776 Room with Americana touches, and the 1555 France Yellow Room offering a jacuzzi bath and family-friendly layout.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and experience this new local hospitality gem—blending history, style, and Southern charm in the heart of Van Buren.

Alma is set for a flavor-packed celebration as The Depot introduces the city’s first-ever Food Truck Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The lively event will take over downtown from 11 AM to 6 PM, featuring a tempting variety of local food trucks serving up smoky BBQ, street-style tacos, desserts, and more.

Organizers aim to spark a new annual tradition that highlights local tastes, supports small businesses, and brings neighbors together.

The Depot is now seeking food truck vendors of all cuisines—spaces are limited, so early applications are a must.

With electricity and water hookups available and simple permit requirements, the event offers a unique opportunity to reach hungry Alma crowds and help launch an exciting culinary legacy.

Interested vendors can learn more and apply by contacting The Depot on Facebook.

📅 Share Your Events on MyRiverValleyEvents.com

Looking for things to do around the River Valley?

Check out MyRiverValleyEvents.com — your local hub for community events, festivals, live music, classes, markets, and more!

Whether you’re planning a neighborhood gathering, hosting a fundraiser, promoting a class, or putting on a major event, you can submit your listing right on the site.

It only takes a minute — and helps more people discover what’s happening across the River Valley.

👉 Explore & submit events at:
MyRiverValleyEvents.com

Help us spread the word by sharing with friends, businesses, churches, clubs, and anyone hosting an event!

🍽 Thanks for reading!

Want to help us highlight great local food + events around the River Valley?

👉 Submit your events: MyRiverValleyEvents.com
👉 Honor veterans + veteran-owned businesses: go.rivervalleyfork.com/honor

Know a restaurant, food truck, or hidden gem we should feature?
Hit reply and tell us — we love hearing from you.

See you next week, Fork Fam!
Stay hungry. 🍴

— River Valley Fork