FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- The Arkansas Oklahoma State fair is in full swing, but before you enjoy the corn dogs and rides, you need to find a place to park. Some people living nearby want to help you find a spot.
"This is the place to park -- in the ditch, at Walkers," Arvil Walker said.
There are about 2,000 spots available, and every year, Arvil and Jean Walker provide a few extra.
"I would say 12 cars," Walker said. "But they come and go, and that kinda helps you a little bit."
They've lived in the same house for 50 years, and over the last 15 years, they've had some repeat customers.
"I have a lot of people that come by about every year and park here."
They operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
"One man came by last night and we had already filled up. He stopped and came and told me, 'You didn't save me a parking place!' but he was just teasing. He was kinda late. I don't save nobody a place," Walker said.
On Plum St., neighbors aren't competing with the parking price at the fair -- it's still $5 to park on most of the lawns."They are putting up with a lot of traffic and noise," Jackie Hoffarth, co-chair of parking at the fair, said. "If they can make an extra 50 bucks or a extra 100 bucks I think that's a good trade."The Walkers said they make about $400 each year from parking, and they use the money to travel to Branson, Missouri to meet with family from all over the country.
"We take a trip up there about every year -- kinda have a little fun with it," Walker said.
Fair organizers encourage the friendly competition and said the extra parking from neighbors helps them bring in more fair-goers every year. The fair runs through Saturday (Sept. 27).