Weekend highlights for Rangers include:
Saturday, April 25
Morning Ranger Breakfast (FREE)
Darby Days (all day) — a family-friendly outdoor event presented by the Fort Smith National Historic Site and the Fort Smith Museum of History, featuring reenactments, weapons demonstrations, static military displays, and hands-on activities.(FREE)
5:00–9:00 p.m. Black and Tan Social (FREE), REGISTER HERE
Sunday, April 26
7:00 a.m. Darby Challenge — a military-inspired ruck march and race commemorating service and sacrifice, while celebrating Fort Smith’s connection with its Italian sister cities, including Nago-Torbole and Cisterna
Proceeds benefit the Fort Smith Museum of History and the new Darby House Organization.
The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge commemorates General Darby’s sacrifice on April 30, 1945, in Nago-Torbole, Italy, during World War II. In 2023, Fort Smith and Nago-Torbole formalized a sister city partnership rooted in this shared history, and the Darby Challenge coincides with Nago-Torbole’s Col Darby 40-Mile Ranger Challenge, reinforcing the international connection. A defining moment of the 2026 event is the Silent Mile along the Arkansas River waterfront, honoring 93 World War II Arkansans listed as KIA or MIA and interred near Fort Smith’s sister cities in Italy. The course begins and ends at the General William O. Darby statue in Cisterna Park, traveling along “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail, north along the Riverfront to Fort Smith Park, and returning to Cisterna Park, where participants are invited to reflect and pay their respects.
The 2026 Challenge will also honor Master Sergeant Joshua Lloyd Wheeler, a member of the Cherokee Nation and a native of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, who was killed in action in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve. A member of the elite Delta Force, MSgt. Wheeler was the first American service member killed by enemy fire while fighting ISIS militants.
Registration opened January 25, 2026, at runsignup.com. Participants and spectators are encouraged to join in honoring service, sacrifice, and international friendship at this meaningful Fort Smith tradition.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, contact:
Caroline Speir | 479.783.7841 | fsdarbychallenge@gmail.com
Executive Director, Fort Smith Museum of History
More information about the hosting organizations is available at fortsmithmuseum.org and darbyhouse.org.