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2022 Kids' Fest Brings Family Fun to Downtown Newport
May 05, 2022
Kids' Fest Brings Family Fun to Downtown Newport
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2022
Newport, Arkansas
Downtown Revitalization and Improvement Volunteer Effort
For more information call (870) 523-3618
Newport is pleased to announce that the Monster Kids’ Fest will be held downtown on Saturday, May 14. The event will be from Noon to 6 p.m. and features activities for children of all ages. Admission and all the attractions are free-of-charge thanks to the generous sponsors for Monster Nights Downtown Entertainment Series.
On the Terry Scoggins Memorial Stage, Kids Fest welcomes the All-Star Stunt Dogs Show for three interactive performances at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. This must-see show will entertain people of all ages. From back flips, handstands, big air stunts, to amazing tricks; these “All-Star Stunt Dogs” are thrilling the nation. You may even recognize the stars from Good Morning America, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Oprah Winfrey show, Queen Latifah Show, NatGeo Wild, Animal Planet, Disney Plus, the Rose Parade, or from commercials. What makes these stunt dogs so special? Besides their talent for the flipping, jumping, and racing, all of these amazing pooches have been adopted out of shelters from across the country and turned into stars. Their mission is to promote the importance of pet adoption, spay & neutering, and encourage people to be responsible pet owners. The louder you cheer the more air the dogs get! So come join the “Dog-Gone Fun” at Kids Fest.
While downtown, stop by to see Arkansas-based Hulsey Amusements who will be bringing a few carnival rides to downtown Newport including a water canoe ride, train ride, parachute ride and 50-foot Frolic ride. Rides will be located in the gravel lot on Front Street.
The Jane Parnell Performance Hall across from the Depot on Front Street will be transformed into a children’s activity zone. Join volunteers from ASU-Newport for free arts & crafts, balloon art and a wide range of fun activities that will entertain children for hours. While there, be sure to register your child for great prizes to be drawn on stage at 6 p.m. including a Meta Quest 2 All-in-One Virtual Reality Headset, a Pyle Karaoke Party Bluetooth Speaker System and gift cards.
Surrounding the downtown park, Hog Wild Entertainment will be bringing a spider jump attraction, bounce houses, a giant dual slide, a three piece 65-foot obstacle course and a three-person gyroscope. New this year, Hog Wild will also offer a two-lane bungee run and a giant Twister game. For the really adventurous, try out the 25-foot rock climbing wall to test your climbing skills.
Cockrill’s Country Critters will bring a wide variety of animals to the festival and pony rides throughout the day under the big tent beside the Iron Mountain Depot. Let your little ones get up close with animals large and small. Other attractions include the Farm Bureau Milking Cow, Jacksonport State Park educational booth and much more.
Make plans to attend Kids’ Fest on May 14 in downtown Newport, Arkansas beginning at Noon. Admission and parking are free. Food trucks will be on site including Hot Dog Heroes, Fathead Grill and Long’s Tropical Sno. The day will be guaranteed to delight your children. In the event of inclement weather, check the Monster Nights page on Facebook for the day’s alternate indoor plans. Call (870) 523-3618 for more information.
Jackson County Community Theatre!
There's No Place Like Local This Holiday!
Newport Christmas Parade The Newport Christmas parade will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 beginning at 6 p.m. Entries are now being accepted at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce for business and nonprofit organization floats, walking groups, antique vehicles, beauty queens, horseback riders, school clubs and organizations, etc. Participants will be traveling down Hwy. 69 to Malcolm Avenue then down to Village Mall parking lot. Awards will be given for first, second and third place for both the commercial and non-commercial categories. Entry is free, and participants may choose their own holiday theme. However, Santa Claus will be flying in early from the North Pole as the last entry in the parade, so please do not plan a “fake” Santa on your float. Float judging will begin no later than 5:30 p.m. Please include the name of your business or organization somewhere on your float for faster judging. Line up will be held in the parking lot across from Riceland Foods no sooner than 5 p.m. (McLain and Hwy. 69). Walkers and dance groups should line up on the Riceland side of Hwy. 69. Vehicles that are entered in the parade are to enter the parking lot from McLain Street and face toward Hwy. 69. There will be a line up crew on hand. The line up area will be very crowded. Those who are driving vehicles that will not be in the parade are asked to find parking on the Riceland side of Hwy. 69 and walk across to the line up area. If dropping off a parade participant, please do not enter the parking lot. If you are planning to watch the parade along the route with children, please make sure that they stay by the street curbs and not in the road for safety purposes. Immediately following the parade, there will be a drive-by Christmas display event at the home of Dr. Patti Mullins, 4 Sue Circle. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there. Enter by clicking the link below. Entry forms are also available at the Chamber office, 201 Hazel Street. Completed forms may be faxed to 523-1055, dropped off at the Chamber at 201 Hazel Street, or emailed to director@newportarchamber.org . In the event of inclement weather, parade participants will be notified of an alternate date. Parade Entry Form
Mary Alice Holden Conner Memorial Park Closed For Maintenance
Public Notice for KOKR Radio
Public Notice for KNBY Radio
25th Annual Depot Days
18th New Vision Newport Leadership class now accepting applications!!
Newport Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet Thursday, August 10, 2023
NEDC Wins Settlement Worth $2.5 Million in Medical Marijuana Lawsuits For Immediate Release Newport Economic Development Commission Newport, Arkansas director@newportaredc.org The Newport Economic Development Commission won a settlement with a value of $2,518,015.00 yesterday in two separate lawsuits concerning the relocation of a medical marijuana cultivator previously located in Newport, Arkansas. In November of 2020, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission approved a transfer of Natural State Wellness, LLC’s license to Good Day Farms, LLC. At that same meeting, the Commission also approved a transfer of location, allowing the facility to move from Newport, Arkansas to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Jon Chadwell, Executive Director of the Newport Economic Development Commission made a formal request to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission to reverse the decision to move the facility. That request was denied. In April of 2021, Attorney David Couch, a Newport native, filed a lawsuit for plaintiffs the Newport Economic Development Commission; the City of Newport; the Newport Charitable Foundation and the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board against the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission; the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division; Good Day Farm, LLC; Natural State Wellness, LLC and Harvest Health and Recreation, Inc. in Circuit Court of Jackson County. The suit was to recoup economic damages caused by the relocation of the facility. That lawsuit was followed by another lawsuit in October of 2021 by Couch for the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board to recapture possession of the property sold to Natural State Wellness with all improvements, including the building constructed on the property by Natural State Wellness. The lawsuit against the property owner BLRS was moved to federal court. On February 22, 2023, a mediation process was held with Couch and Chadwell representing the plaintiffs and individuals and attorneys representing Harvest Health and Recreation, Inc. and Good Day Farms, LLC. Through the process, the defendants agreed to a settlement which returned the building and land to the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board, awarded $1,000,000 in cash restitution to the community and covered the legal fees and costs. The total value of the settlement is $2,518,015.00 which is being paid through a negotiated agreement between Harvest Health and Recreation, Inc. and Good Day Farms, LLC and a transfer of property from BRLS to the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Bond Board. “We feel vindicated to receive this settlement from Harvest Health and Good Day Farms on behalf of Newport,” stated Jon Chadwell. “We have many exceptional businesses in Newport that are significant partners in growing the community. However, when a business does not live up to its commitments, we feel obligated to take action behalf of the community.” Newport Mayor Derrick Ratliffe said, “The City of Newport has established a very pro-business environment and we are excited to have this building back under local control so we can use it to recruit another company to our community.” This settlement brings an end to the two-year process of seeking restitution for Newport and Jackson County.
