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22nd Annual Depot Days Festival
Aug 28, 2020
The 22nd Annual Depot Days Music Festival is set to take place Saturday, September 26 on historic Front Street in downtown Newport, Arkansas. Part of the Monster Nights Downtown Entertainment Series, the festival is a showcase of local, regional, and national talent paying tribute to the early history of Rock and Roll. Music begins at 11:30 a.m. concluding at 9:30 p.m. on the Terry Scoggins Memorial Stage in the Front Street Park. Please note that the festival will be following the directives of the Arkansas Department of Health for outdoor events. Masks must be worn while moving about the park but can be removed once seated. Spectators may sit with a family group, but social distancing of at least six feet will be required from other patrons. All events will be held outdoors this year and admission is free.
One of the most electrifying bands in the South, The Memphis All-Stars, generate energy and excitement everywhere they perform. From R&B, to Rock ‘n’ Roll, to any music your ear can imagine, The Memphis All-Stars will keep you on the dance floor all night long. They are truly the definition of “Memphis Music.”
The Zyndall Raney Band features veteran performers playing early rock, old country, blues, gospel, jazz and Big Band numbers. The band includes the George D. Hays Foundation and Music Hall of Fame inductee Zyndall Raney; Doug Greeno, who played in Jackson County night spots since the 1950s, Marcus Grady, lead guitar and vocals; Bill Lewis, bass guitar, and Donna Lewis, vocals; Mike Gio, drums; and vocalist Bill Davis who dresses as a popular 1950s Memphis rock-and-roller.
Guitarist Michael Walker, a Newport native who moved to Dallas in 1989, will share his love for the electric guitar with riveting sounds of blues and smooth jazz. In 2013 Michael was signed to the Spectra Jazz label as a solo artist. He delivered his debut album, “A Smoother You” which earned him praise and respect from his peers in the Jazz world. In 2018 Michael graced released another CD “Daylight.”
Brick Fields recently won The Ozark Blues Society Blues Challenge and went on to represent Northwest Arkansas at the International Blues Competition in Memphis. There, in a field of over 260 performers, they advanced to the semi-finals and, as some say, put them in the top 40 of the best blues bands in the world. Based in Eureka Springs, Brick Fields have also won folk, songwriting and regional music awards.
Founded in 2009, the Side Street Steppers began as a simple duo unearthing rare and popular music from the 1920s and 30s. Dubbed the Golden Age of Gramophone Recording, the Steppers perform on vintage and homemade instruments with back stories about each song. The group has grown into a full-blown Memphis institution who have played over 1,000 shows and released four full-length studio recordings.
The Jimmy Dunham Family has been singing Gospel music for over 40 years. They have travelled throughout Arkansas and surrounding states playing at churches, theaters, reunions, and any place folks want to hear their country-style gospel music with a twist of “Rockin’ Gospel.” The family has become a staple at Depot Days and it is a privilege to welcome them back.
Old U.S. Highway 67, which runs through the heart of Newport and Jackson County, was the home for dozens of roadhouses and nightclubs which hosted early shows by rock pioneers in the 1950’s and 60’s. Music legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Sonny Burgess all frequented the venues along the highway when Rock music was in its’ infancy. Festival goers from Europe, Australia, and all over the U.S. make annual pilgrimages to Front Street to catch a glimpse of living legends from the 50’s as well as younger generations of musicians who were inspired by the elders.
The festival also offers food vendors, crafts, a BBQ cooking contest and much more. Coolers are welcome. Bring your lawn chairs. For more information, find Depot Days on Facebook, visit www.depotdays.org or contact the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-523-3618.
Get your Depot Days shirt through our online store! Shirts are $15 for adult sizes (Small through 5XL) and $12 for youth sizes (youth XSmall through youth XLarge). Choose from one of two shirt colors. Shirts are 100% cotton but are a Heather 50/50 blend which means they are true to size and should not shrink.
Order by September 9th to have yours before Depot Days! Pick up at the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce or have them shipped directly to your home (shipping fees apply). Shirts will not be available on site during Depot Days. However, the online store will remain open through October 2nd. Get yours today!
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.
