The Times Dispatch
Walnut Ridge, AR
Gretchen Hunt, Editor
The Lawrence County Chamber’s Festival Committee and Tourism Committee have joined forces for one mega event to be held in downtown Walnut Ridge on Sept. 15.
This year’s Beatles at the Ridge event will include activities that have normally been held in October as part of the Iron Mountain Festival, as well as a performance by the Liverpool Legends that evening and the grand opening of the Guitar Walk at Cavenaugh Park.
Brett Cooper, chair of the Tourism Committee, said combining the two events just made sense.
“By merging these two very successful events, we can have a festival that covers all of downtown Walnut Ridge and attracts large numbers of local residents and visitors alike,” he said.
The Sept. 15 event will include activities on both sides of Main Street in downtown Walnut Ridge, including vendor booths, entertainment, an art show, a quilt show, a duck-calling contest, a motorcycle show and a variety of displays and activities.
Lorra Whitmire, chair of the Festival Committee, said several vendors have already registered for booths, and attendees can expect favorite attractions such as the horse rides and bounce houses, plus some new additions including a BB gun shooting range and a display of Volkswagen bugs.
Charles Snapp, a member of the Tourism Committee, said combining the events will advance the Chamber’s efforts to promote Lawrence County.
“We have a rich music heritage in this area, and the groups working on the Beatles tribute, the Guitar Walk and the Beatles at the Ridge music festival want to bring that to everyone’s attention,” he said. “What better way to accomplish that goal than to merge with the long running Iron Mountain Festival that features local talent and entertainment.”
Organizers say the event should definitely have something for everyone.
“We’re looking forward to a great day Sept. 15, and we hope the whole community will join us in making it a big success,” Cooper said.