BY NEXT WEEKEND. >> WELL, TOMORROW FORT SMITH NATIVES ISAIAH JOE AND JALEN WILLIAMS RETURNING TO THEIR HOMETOWN FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE. >> OH YES. SO THE CELEBRATIONS WILL BEGIN AT THE BAKERY DISTRICT AT 4 P.M., THE PARADE STARTING AT 6 P.M. THAT WILL GO DOWN GARRISON AVENUE FROM NORTH SIXTH STREET TO NORTH 10TH STREET. 40/29 NEWS TEAM WILL BE LIVE ALL DA
Parade and celebration planned in Fort Smith for hometown NBA champions
Updated: 5:34 PM CDT Jul 23, 2025
Fort Smith will host a parade to honor its two NBA Champions on Thursday. 40/29 News will stream the parade live at 4029tv.com, on our YouTube page, the free 40/29 News app, and on Very Local Arkansas.Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams, both Fort Smith natives, won the 2024-25 NBA Championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder.Both are expected to attend the parade, called “Thunder In The Fort.”When will the Thunder In The Fort Parade begin?A celebration will begin at The Bakery District at 4 p.m. The parade will start at 6 p.m.What happens at the celebration?It will include a live DJ, food trucks, an ice cream truck, bounce houses, and kids’ activities. It will last until 8 p.m.What is the parade route?The parade will go down Garrison Avenue from North 6th Street to North 10th Street.Will any roads be closed?Streets along Garrison Avenue will begin closing at 5 p.m.Additionally, South 7th Street, between Parker Avenue and Wheeler Avenue, will be closed from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.What happens after the parade?Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams will address the crowd from The Mill’s balcony.What makes Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams special?They both played at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. They each won state titles for the Fort Smith Northside Grizzlies, although in different years.They each also spent two years playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Joe played in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, while Williams played in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.In 2022, the Thunder drafted Williams, and Joe signed as a free agent.They’ve been teammates ever since and won the 2024-25 NBA Championship together.
FORT SMITH, Ark. —
Fort Smith will host a parade to honor its two NBA Champions on Thursday. 40/29 News will stream the parade live at 4029tv.com, on our YouTube page, the free 40/29 News app, and on Very Local Arkansas.
Both are expected to attend the parade, called “Thunder In The Fort.“
When will the Thunder In The Fort Parade begin?
A celebration will begin at The Bakery District at 4 p.m. The parade will start at 6 p.m.
What happens at the celebration?
It will include a live DJ, food trucks, an ice cream truck, bounce houses, and kids’ activities. It will last until 8 p.m.
What is the parade route?
The parade will go down Garrison Avenue from North 6th Street to North 10th Street.
Will any roads be closed?
Streets along Garrison Avenue will begin closing at 5 p.m.
Additionally, South 7th Street, between Parker Avenue and Wheeler Avenue, will be closed from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What happens after the parade?
Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams will address the crowd from The Mill’s balcony.
What makes Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams special?
They both played at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. They each won state titles for the Fort Smith Northside Grizzlies, although in different years.
They each also spent two years playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Joe played in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, while Williams played in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
In 2022, the Thunder drafted Williams, and Joe signed as a free agent.
They’ve been teammates ever since and won the 2024-25 NBA Championship together.