Visit Van Buren Arkansas

06/02/2026

Check out the summer events in the Visit Van Buren June E-newsletter!

Visit Van Buren, Arkansas

06/02/2026

A rare opportunity for artists and history lovers alike!

Join Architectural Observation: From Grand Interiors to Historic Streets on June 13 from 9 AM–1 PM at Arts On Main. Explore and sketch the beautiful details of Van Buren’s historic Opera House and downtown streetscapes.

✅ FREE (registration required)
✅ Ages 15+
✅ Work in your preferred medium
✅ Rare access to the King Opera House

Limited seating—register early!

Arts on Main, 415 Main St, Van Buren
Registration/Info- https://artsonmainvb.com/adultstudio/g9z60paf3eth5pg1omn8tfv3dqam1q

06/01/2026

It may feel early, but if you’re planning to compete, now’s the time to get ready 👀

The wait is over — the 2026 Crawford County Fair Book is officially available! 🎡🌾🎆

Inside you’ll find everything you need to plan your fair week — including pageants, livestock shows, home economics competitions, and the always crowd-favorite Cowboy Showdown 🤠🔥
Plus, the full schedule of events so you don’t miss a thing.

Whether you’re entering, competing, or just coming to enjoy the fun, now’s the perfect time to start planning. Fair week will be here before we know it ❤️💙

View the 2026 Crawford County Fair Book
www.thecrawfordcountyfair.com

06/01/2026

Heads up from the Van Buren School District 🚧🏃‍♂️

The Van Buren track is currently undergoing renovations and improvements over the next few weeks. If you’re using the track, please use caution while work is underway.

The facility will be fully closed soon as installation of the new surface begins. Closure dates will be shared as soon as they are available.

We appreciate everyone’s patience as these exciting upgrades are made to improve the track for our community!

06/01/2026

Warning: Downtown Van Buren may experience unusually high levels of deliciousness on June 13. 🍦🍔🌮

Side effects of attending the Summer Street Eats Food Truck Festival & Sugar Rush Throwdown may include:

✅ Saying, "I'll just get one thing" and leaving with six different snacks
✅ Debating whether tacos, barbecue, or funnel cake counts as a balanced meal
✅ Discovering that dessert is, in fact, a food group
✅ Needing a nap by 5:01 PM

Join us in Historic Downtown Van Buren on Saturday, June 13, from 10 AM–5 PM for a day filled with food trucks, sweet treats, and enough calories to fuel your summer adventures.

Come hungry. Leave happy. Possibly sticky. 😋

For more information and vendor applications, https://oldtownvanburen.com/summer-street-eats-food-truck-festival/

06/01/2026

☀️ June 1st has arrived, and with temperatures and humidity teaming up, summer has officially entered the chat! 😎💦

That splash pad at Freedom Park is looking pretty inviting today. If you're looking for a way to cool off, grab the kids, bring your sunscreen, and head downtown for some fun in the water.

10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., weather permitting

Stay cool, Van Buren!

05/29/2026

The Freedom Park Splash Pad is Open!

The Splash Pad is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the hours of operation are from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., weather permitting.

05/26/2026

Standing proudly at the south end of downtown Van Buren, the Crawford County Courthouse is more than just a beautiful landmark — it’s a living piece of Arkansas history. Built in 1842 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is believed to be the oldest active county courthouse west of the Mississippi River.

The courthouse has witnessed generations of history, surviving a devastating fire in 1876 while preserving portions of the original structure within the building you see today. Its original Seth Thomas tower clock still watches over downtown, just as it has for well over a century.

The courthouse grounds also tell the story of Van Buren’s role in westward expansion. A historic marker commemorates the Butterfield Overland Stage Route, which once traveled directly down Main Street before crossing the Arkansas River here in Van Buren. Visitors can also spot the historic statue of H**e, the Greek goddess of youth and happiness, adding even more character to this treasured site.

The next time you’re exploring Van Buren’s beautifully restored historic downtown, take a few moments to walk the courthouse grounds and experience this remarkable piece of history for yourself.

300 Main Street, Van Buren, AR

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we invite you to visit the south side of Freedom Park — a place to quietly reflect and honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving our country, as well as our local first responders. 🇺🇸

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today. Surrounded by memorials, fountains, and flags standing proudly overhead, Freedom Park serves as a reminder that freedom is never free.

“All gave some, some gave all.” ❤️🤍💙

833 Main Street, in Historic Downtown Van Buren

05/25/2026

Did you know the mural inside the historic Van Buren Post Office at 22 South 7th Street was commissioned through the U.S. Treasury Department’s Section of Fine Arts during the Great Depression?

Painted by artist E. Martin Hennings, The Chosen Site depicts a pioneer family selecting a place to build their new home. The Van Buren Post Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and remains home to this unique piece of public art history.

You can read more about this artwork and how it came to be through the University of Central Arkansas’ Depression Era Post Office Murals project:
https://uca.edu/postofficemurals/map-of-murals/