Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What you need to know before heading to the 2026 State Fair

Spotted on the Little Rock calendar: Wed Night Volleyball

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Coffee in hand, Little Rock? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What you need to know before heading to the 2026 State Fair
  • Want free dinners while boosting kids' reading in Little Rock?
  • How to register for Old State House's homeschool resource fair

Also on today's calendar: JET - Down The Moonlit Mile Revue and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What happened to the pregnant cat that ate yarn? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Sunshine and sweltering heat, with a high of 99 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very hot, temps: high: 98, low: 77.
  • Thursday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 96 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2026 Arkansas State Fair returns this October (thv11.com) — Mark your calendar: the Arkansas State Fair returns to the Little Rock fairgrounds October 16–25, bringing rides, food, and big crowds to the capital city. Gates open daily at 11 a.m., and anyone under 18 must be with an adult 21 or older after the 6 p.m. youth curfew.
   

2. Southern Tail Brewing book drive to benefit children in Arkansas and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (thv11.com) — Southern Tail Brewing in Little Rock is honoring Dolly Parton with a "9 to 5" themed book drive on September 25, aiming to collect 925 children's and young adult books for Central Arkansas middle schools. Locals can donate books or money, with donations matched for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and a chance to win six monthly dinners. It's a hands-on way to support kids' reading close to home.
   

3. Homeschool Resource Fair offered (501lifemag.com) — Homeschool families in Little Rock can explore hands-on Arkansas history, art, and natural resources at a resource fair on the Old State House Museum grounds Friday, Sept. 25. Sessions run morning and afternoon, cost is $5 per family, and advance registration is required by Sept. 23 to secure a spot and learn about field trip opportunities.
   

4. Little Rock Startup DrawSort Wants to End the 'Invisible Cost' of Engineering Drawings (arkansasbusiness.com) — A University of Arkansas at Little Rock senior has launched DrawSort, a Little Rock-based startup using AI to slash the time engineers spend sorting technical drawings. By automatically indexing plans across multiple disciplines, the platform aims to cut labor costs for firms and contractors while still flagging items that need human review. Local readers may soon see homegrown tech reshaping engineering workflows nationwide.
   

5. Why Circumference Group's Chad Brown Went to Harvard and Came Back to Build in Arkansas (arkansasbusiness.com) — A Little Rock-based investor and nonprofit leader shares how his career took him from Sherwood to Harvard and back to Arkansas, where he now helps grow local tech startups and serves on several Central Arkansas boards. He also offers advice to young professionals about building relationships and making the most of Arkansas's tight-knit business community.
   

📸 Around Little Rock

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Little Rock

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Wednesday September 9
  • Wed Night Volleyball →
    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13901 Quail Run Drive, Little Rock

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Little Rock Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My husband and I are looking into a possible babysitter periodically for our new son.
    We are incredibly cautious and picky so you can expect a background check and an interview process. Ideally this person would have weekday… (Nextdoor Pleasant Ridge Road)
  • Could we please try to use this app for its intended purpose?
    I believe that might help reduce some of the disagreements we've been having. We already encounter a lot of negativity in the news and elsewhere, so… (Nextdoor Sturbridge)
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Inventory Clerk Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Little Rock. Apply here.
  • Dollar General posted a job opening for ASST STORE MGR in LITTLE ROCK, AR S13271 in Little Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Little Rock here.

Ok Little Rock! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: She had mittens! (Thank you April M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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