Connecting Russellville, AR and Enghien, Belgium

Building friendships through interpersonal and cultural exchanges

The Smurfs are those little blue people who live in mushroom-shaped houses deep in the forest. They were created by Peyo, a Belgian artist, in 1958. He was born in Brussels, Belgium and lived all his life there. They appeared in the USA through a TV series in 1981 which still airs on private networks.

Art Walk - June 5, 2026

Come participate in the SMURFS' Treasure Hunt organized by Russellville Sister Cities in partnership with the Handlebar. The RSC booth will be in front of the Handlebar, on Commerce Street!

A donation of $25 will be worth 3 beers and a donation of $10 will be worth 3 sodas or mocktails. You pick!

Have a Belgian Stella Artois or Hoegarden (or a domestic beer, soda, or mocktail) from the Handlebar. Get your drink at the Handlebar window allowing you to stay close to your family.

Sip your drink while going on a treasure hunt to find Smurf items throughout the Art Walk booths and stores. No worries, we will give you a hint on what to find... Bring back a picture proving you found the item to get your second beverage. Hunt again for your third drink…

Drink tickets are validated at the Russellville Sister Cities' booth, then exchanged for a drink at the Handlebar window.

The Smurfs were born in Brussels, Belgium, not far from Russellville's Sister City Enghien!

Our Ultimate Goal

Connecting Russellville and Enghien through friendship and learning immersion

Student Visits

Providing a scholarship to selected Russellville High School students to ease their financial burden to go visit Enghien and Belgium in 2027.

Organizing the coming of high school students from Enghien to visit Russellville and Arkansas.

Cultural Trips

Organizing community adult trips to visit Enghien and Belgium and hosting visitors from Enghien to visit Russellville and Arkansas.

Community Events

Bringing people together locally and abroad.
Come visit our tent at the next Russellville Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Patricia Rivière-Mitchell, Gabriele Haulmark, Philippe Van Houtte, Holli Hall, and Leo Cantu
Board directors of the Russellville Sister Cities Foundation
At the Downtown Russellville Art Walk on March 6, 2026, in Russellville

Philippe met with Enghien Alderwoman Valentine Pary and Enghien Mayor Marc Vanderstichelen in April 2025 to set a precedent and offer Russellville gifts to the city of Enghien.

When Philippe came back from Belgium, he gave Mayor Fred Teague the gift from the city of Enghien.

Friendship Cities

Share Your Thoughts

Questions or ideas?
We’d love to hear from you.