Festivity — Attraction in Fort Smith

A Personal Reflection on Communication Challenges As a member of the Hispanic community, I want to share a recent experience that highlighted the challenges we sometimes face when dealing with stereotypes and discrimination. This situation not only tested my patience but also made me reflect on the importance of respectful communication, cultural understanding, and standing up for fairness. The Situation I was planning a small, meaningful dinner for my son to celebrate a religious festivity( 1stvcommunion). It was supposed to be a simple event—just close family, soft music, and a peaceful atmosphere. However, when I reached out to book a venue, I encountered resistance that felt rooted in prejudice rather than practicality. The person managing the venue immediately made assumptions about me and my plans. She stated that "all Hispanics are so loud" and accused us of bringing more people than agreed upon—a stereotype I’m unfortunately all too familiar with. Despite my reassurances that I was responsible, that the guest list would be even smaller than expected, and that I’d keep the music at a low volume, she dismissed me outright. Her repeated comments about "you Hispanics being all the same" were not only hurtful but also unprofessional. When I directly asked her if she was denying me the room despite its availability, she confirmed it. Her reasoning? She didn’t want to "spoil" another event—a wedding happening in a different room. While I understand the need to manage noise levels and ensure all events run smoothly, her refusal felt less like a logistical concern and more like an excuse rooted in bias. My Response At first, I tried to reason with her. I explained that I was willing to adapt my plans—no DJ, just a low Spotify playlist—to accommodate any concerns. But her attitude didn’t change. Instead, she doubled down on her stereotypes about Hispanics being loud and disruptive. At that point, I realized this wasn’t just about logistics; it was about prejudice. I told her that if this was how she treated members of the Hispanic community, I would make sure others knew about it so they could avoid supporting her business. Suddenly, her tone changed. She backtracked and became defensive, but by then, the damage was done. Lessons Learned This experience left me feeling frustrated but also determined to address situations like this with dignity and clarity in the future. Here are some key takeaways: Stereotypes Hurt Everyone Stereotypes reduce individuals to unfair generalizations and prevent meaningful communication. Assuming that an entire community behaves a certain way is not only inaccurate but also deeply disrespectful. Stand Up for Yourself When faced with discrimination or unfair treatment, it’s important to calmly but firmly advocate for yourself. Ask direct questions (e.g., "Are you denying me because of my ethnicity?") to hold people accountable for their words and actions. Cultural Sensitivity Matters Businesses that serve diverse communities must prioritize cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. Dismissing potential clients based on stereotypes is not only unethical but also bad for business. Communication is Key Clear communication can often resolve misunderstandings before they escalate. In this case, I made every effort to explain my intentions and adapt my plans to meet the venue’s requirements—but unfortunately, my efforts weren’t met with the same openness. A Call for Change To my fellow Hispanic community members: let’s continue celebrating our culture with pride while also challenging stereotypes through our actions and words. We are not defined by outdated generalizations; we are individuals with unique stories and values. To businesses (FestivityFS): please remember that diversity is your strength. Treating every client with respect and fairness not only builds trust but also fosters long-term success. This experience reminded me of how far we still have to go in breaking down stereotypes and fostering understanding between cultures. But it also reinforced my belief in...

Festivity is a beautiful new event center in Fort Smith with so much potential for events of all sizes. It is located in Chaffee Crossing which makes it very convenient for people living and working on the east side of Fort Smith. The owners are incredibly accommodating and the pricing is very affordable. The building has tons of built-in amenities (sound system, screens, bars, food service areas, dividable space to accommodate smith to large groups, a kids room, lighted dance floor, etc.). Plus it is gorgeously decorated with elegantly chandeliers, custom Italian glass sinks in the restrooms, etc., etc. Every detail has been covered with the design of the event center. It is a comfortable space--functional yet comfortable, not sterile like many large event centers. I highly recommend using it for wedding and baby showers, weddings, wedding receptions, parties, dances, conference and business meetings, et al. You have to...

New, spacious venue in Fort Smith, AR right off of Massard! It’s easy to find and is a great place to throw birthday parties, weddings, or any type of event.

The entire venue has multiple rooms, allowing more than one event to take place simultaneously; however, you have the option to rent the entire venue as a whole if needed. It comes with a kitchen prep area fully equipped for preparing (not cooking) for your event and a bar section. I love the modernized look at this place, especially the chandeliers.

This is the first venue that I’ve seen offers it’s customers to rent an LED dance floor which is so fun!

The venue owner is very responsive, professional, and kind. Her ultimate goal is to provide her customers with an amazing venue to perfect their event whatever possible...