While the 4th July in Fort Smith may have been celebrated in 1897 "in pretty good style", the celebrations have only improved since then. If you are looking to take your loved ones, especially those of senior age, out on that day, you need to find activities that are suitable for both their needs and wants. So, what can be done to match such a mood?
Below, we offer some of the key Fourth of July activities throughout the area, including senior events and holiday gatherings that promise Fort Smith summer fun, including:
Use this information to plan senior-friendly events and ensure your time with your loved one is truly special.
It's impossible to discuss the festivities in Fort Smith without mentioning the Mayor's Fourth of July celebrations. This massive festival along the banks of the Arkansas River draws in many different groups who might enjoy older adult activities, including options like:
While the celebration spans a large area, seating is available throughout the region, offering both good views of the river and a chance for your loved one to rest their legs before continuing.
The free event is designed to be a family-friendly activity for residents, so expect to see activities suitable for both adults and children. Whether your loved one prefers to be involved or would rather watch their family experience a shared celebration, the location offers a variety of options.
At the end of the evening, you can watch the 9:30 p.m. fireworks show. However, before that, expect to hear a formal welcome from the mayor, followed by a musical tribute from the local training corps. The whole event promises a true celebration of American patriotism to be proud of.
To be ready for the event's fireworks display, make sure to bring along a folding chair. You can then community it down when everything is about to begin, guaranteeing a community to sit for you and your loved one. However, if it is all too much, you could always return to Morada Fort Smith, where we would be happy to host you.
If you want a quieter experience, consider visiting the U.S. Marshals Museum with your loved one to get a taste of American history on the 4th of July.
One of the other benefits of this option is that the climate-controlled museum displays will always remain at a temperature that helps preserve the exhibits. As such, you can expect the location to be comfortable. If your family is feeling the heat, it makes the perfect escape from the sun.
If you're looking for more reasons to visit, the location offers a senior discount. As such, you can bring your loved one without needing to worry about the cost of their ticket.
Should you wish to stay for the remainder of the day, you also have the option of enjoying refreshments. The U.S. Marshals Museum café offers a chance to sit down with a pastry and talk about everything you've seen with your loved one. It gives you an excellent opportunity to discuss what they think about the things they've seen and how their life experiences contextualize it all differently to you.
If you need additional assistance with your loved one's mobility, wheelchairs are available at the location. If you check in with the museum staff at the front desk, they should be able to assist you in finding what you need. The museum also features wide pathways that run through the exhibits, allowing you to fully appreciate the range of what's on display.
Several other options exist, allowing you to enjoy the indoors and escape the sun's heat. One of the more eclectic is that of the streetcar and railroad museum, showcasing a full range of streetcars throughout the town's history.
The location doesn't only have stationary displays, however. The museum also features a streetcar that still operates seven days a week. Should you wish to take a trip, you and your loved one can sit on one of the benches in the streetcar and experience the feeling of riding in a piece of history that many will never have the opportunity to experience.
As you travel, a conductor will impart details about both the city's history and that of the car itself. The round trip is long enough to take some great photos and build memories that you can share with others later on, as well as come back with at the next holiday and reminisce about with your loved one.
Enjoying holiday gatherings is particularly important for retirees, as the absence of workplace socialization and the realities of senior life can often leave people without anyone to share the holidays with. At the same time, patriotic music and the concept of shared traditions can evoke a sense of purpose and nostalgia in many people.
Both of these activities can help strengthen memory recall in seniors, especially those experiencing issues with mental wellness. As such, the structured events of either a trip to a museum or an indoor activity can allow them to experience a more joyful 4th of July.
With a family visit, this feeling can be even more powerful. By bringing more people a loved one knows to visit their senior living community with you, you can ensure that they get the most out of the experience.
Whether you enjoy the trip on an electric streetcar, watch a firework display, sit in a museum café, or share the experience with your family, there are dozens of options for Fourth of July activities all across Fort Smith. So, organize your day and give your loved one a holiday to remember.
If you would like to learn more about the services we offer residents on such days and what makes our community a great location to be, contact our staff. We can book a tour for you, allowing you to see precisely what we offer and assist with any transfer into our community.