Little River Fest continues to grow

04/10/03
Buddy Winkle

HORNERSVILLE – In its biggest year ever the Little River Fest will feature several performers, some of whom have yet to be announced, said Chris Droke, project coordinator.

The Little River Fest will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the riverside park on the Little River, adjacent to the Missouri Department of Conservation boat landing.

One of the headliners of the event will be Slick Ballinger, a blues musician from Cape Fear, N.C. Droke said Ballinger will also be in the area performing on the Friday prior to the Little River Fest. He said that Ballinger will be performing in Kennett at the End Zone on Friday, April 18.

“Hopefully some of the people who see him there at the End Zone will want to see him again at the Little River Fest,” Droke said.

He said tickets for the Little River Fest would be on sale at the End Zone.

Also headlining the event will be Starroy. Starroy, a rock band from Steele, Mo., includes Adam Barnard, Justin Henry, Jason Hollis and Scotty Robertson. The group just released its first CD “the blue hemp super turf experience. . .”

“We had a blast playing at the Little River Fest last year,” said Barnard, who provides lead vocals and rhythm guitar for the band.

Henry, lead guitarist, said, “The venue is awesome. It’s so beautiful being next to the Little River.”

For more information on Starroy, visit their website at www.starroy.com.

Other acts include Angie Joyner and the Psychobilly Cadillacs. The band performs a combination of country and rhythm and blues.

There will also be a performance from the Usual Suspects, consisting of Gary and Daryl Wilcoxson, Jim Baker and Ken Williams.

Jim Roberts will also be performing jazz and blues on his acoustic guitar.

Droke also said there may be additional performers.

“I’ve been working hard to get a few more acts signed for the Little River Fest,” he said. “Several have shown interest in performing, but nothing’s set in stone yet.”

Tickets for the event are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Droke said advance tickets are available in Hornersville at Ford Oil and UAP. In Kennett tickets can be purchased at Wilcoxson’s Home Place and Dixie Appliance Radio Shack. In Cardwell, Mo. tickets can be purchased at Mr. T’s Riverside and in Paragould, Ark. at M & M Music and Sam Goody’s. Tickets can also be purchased in Leachville, Ark. at Robertson Bros. Furniture or the Malt Shop.

For more information on tickets, call (573) 737-2911 or e-mail Penny McLarty at mclartypenny@vip1.net.

“Ticket sales have been going real well. We’ve been selling some every day,” Droke said.

Crawfish will be prepared and sold by Ron Pigue, of Paragould, Ark. and Charles Brooks, a past winner of the Memphis in May Barbecue Cookoff, will be preparing and selling barbecue plates.

“No coolers will be allowed into the event,” Droke said. “All concessions will be available.”

The Hornersville Fire Department will have a booth again this year. The department will be selling hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks.

Droke said that the senior class at Senath-Hornersville High School will be raising funds for their senior trip by parking cars.

He said in case of rain, the Little River Fest will be held at the American Legion Building in Kennett.

“But we expect and we hope to have good weather,” he said.

Droke said the 2003 Farmer’s Almanac predicts a full moon and a temperature of 79 degrees on Saturday, April 19.

As part of the Little River Fest’s commitment to public service, all profits will go to the Hornersville Organization of Municipal Excellence, Droke said.

Bradley Distributing, Anheuser Busch and Coldwater Productions are the sponsors of the event.