Rollin’ on the River at Portfest
May 20, 2009
Kimberly J. Williams, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
A summer afternoon and evening spent along the banks of one of Arkansas’s picturesque rivers is wonderful thing. Throw in live music, a carnival, a talent contest, lots of activities for kids, and a fireworks extravaganza…and you’ve got a rip-roaring good time! You’ll find all of this and much more at the 28th annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival, being held June 5-6, along the banks of the White River at Jacksonport State Park near Newport. This year’s festival features performances by one of Country music’s most popular groups, the award-winning Little Big Town, and the iconic rock band Molly Hatchet.
Molly Hatchet and Little Big Town Headline
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
A summer afternoon and evening spent along the banks of one of Arkansas’s picturesque rivers is wonderful thing. Throw in live music, a carnival, a talent contest, lots of activities for kids, and a fireworks extravaganza…and you’ve got a rip-roaring good time! You’ll find all of this and much more at the 28th annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival, being held June 5-6, along the banks of the White River at Jacksonport State Park near Newport. This year’s festival features performances by one of Country music’s most popular groups, the award-winning Little Big Town, and the iconic rock band Molly Hatchet.
Molly Hatchet and Little Big Town Headline
One of the highlights of Portfest is the live entertainment. This year’s headliners include a 70s iconic “Southern rock” band and one of the hottest country groups on the horizon.
Formed in Jacksonville, FL, Molly Hatchet was named after an infamous murderess from the 17th Century. The band released their debut album in 1978 and the disc quickly reached multi-platinum status. The group’s fame continued to soar as they toured with such musical legends as The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Bob Seger. The band toured throughout the 1980s and announced they would disband in 1990. After releasing a best-selling greatest hits album in 1991, Molly Hatchet reunited. The band continues to tour nationally and internationally. In 2009, Molly Hatchet will play concerts throughout the United States as well as dates in Brazil, Sweden, Spain and Finland.
After performing publicly for the first time together in 1999, Little Big Town has become one of the hottest up-and-coming bands in country music. The foursome’s first album was released in 2002, but it was not until the group changed record labels and released The Road to Here in 2005 that fans and critics alike began to take notice. The Road to Here was certified platinum and produced four Top 20 hits. In 2007, the group was named New Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. They have received numerous Grammy, Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and CMT Music Award nominations. The group has toured with George Strait, Martina McBride, and Kenny Chesney.
Little Big Town will take the stage on Friday, June 5, at 9 p.m. Tickets for the June 5 activities are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Molly Hatchet will perform on Saturday, June 6, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for Saturday’s events are $7 in advance but will increase to $15 after 4 p.m. Kids ages six and under get in free both days. All musical performances are general seating and festivalgoers are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. There is a $5 additional charge for those who bring coolers.
Activities for the Entire Family
This year’s Portfest offers a wide array of activities for children and adults. The festival’s carnival will open on Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. for carnival discount day. Thursday, June 4, is carnival armband night and rides will open at 6. On Friday, June 5, festival gates open at 4 p.m. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. and opening ceremonies will begin at 7. Riverbilly will perform at 7:15, followed by Little Big Town at 9. Saturday’s events, all of which are free with gate admission, include arts and crafts vendors, an Astroliner rocket simulator, a Portfest time warp booth, special programs by Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission aquarium. Arkansas Steel will sponsor a special children’s tent and there are special activities just for kids, including a super slide, trackless train rides, a petting zoo, a super bouncer, pony rides, and plasma car races.
Saturday, June 6, starts off with a Buddy Bass fishing tournament at 6 a.m. The tournament boasts $2,000 in cash prizes. The fishing tournament will be held along the White and Black Rivers and weigh-in will take place at Portfest at 3 p.m. A horseshoe-pitching contest starts at 10 a.m. and offers single and doubles categories. The Colgate Country Showdown, a local talent contest designed to find the most promising country music talent in America, starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and features performances by 12 contest finalists.
Jacksonport State Park
Formed in Jacksonville, FL, Molly Hatchet was named after an infamous murderess from the 17th Century. The band released their debut album in 1978 and the disc quickly reached multi-platinum status. The group’s fame continued to soar as they toured with such musical legends as The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Bob Seger. The band toured throughout the 1980s and announced they would disband in 1990. After releasing a best-selling greatest hits album in 1991, Molly Hatchet reunited. The band continues to tour nationally and internationally. In 2009, Molly Hatchet will play concerts throughout the United States as well as dates in Brazil, Sweden, Spain and Finland.
After performing publicly for the first time together in 1999, Little Big Town has become one of the hottest up-and-coming bands in country music. The foursome’s first album was released in 2002, but it was not until the group changed record labels and released The Road to Here in 2005 that fans and critics alike began to take notice. The Road to Here was certified platinum and produced four Top 20 hits. In 2007, the group was named New Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. They have received numerous Grammy, Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and CMT Music Award nominations. The group has toured with George Strait, Martina McBride, and Kenny Chesney.
Little Big Town will take the stage on Friday, June 5, at 9 p.m. Tickets for the June 5 activities are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Molly Hatchet will perform on Saturday, June 6, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for Saturday’s events are $7 in advance but will increase to $15 after 4 p.m. Kids ages six and under get in free both days. All musical performances are general seating and festivalgoers are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. There is a $5 additional charge for those who bring coolers.
Activities for the Entire Family
This year’s Portfest offers a wide array of activities for children and adults. The festival’s carnival will open on Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. for carnival discount day. Thursday, June 4, is carnival armband night and rides will open at 6. On Friday, June 5, festival gates open at 4 p.m. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. and opening ceremonies will begin at 7. Riverbilly will perform at 7:15, followed by Little Big Town at 9. Saturday’s events, all of which are free with gate admission, include arts and crafts vendors, an Astroliner rocket simulator, a Portfest time warp booth, special programs by Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission aquarium. Arkansas Steel will sponsor a special children’s tent and there are special activities just for kids, including a super slide, trackless train rides, a petting zoo, a super bouncer, pony rides, and plasma car races.
Saturday, June 6, starts off with a Buddy Bass fishing tournament at 6 a.m. The tournament boasts $2,000 in cash prizes. The fishing tournament will be held along the White and Black Rivers and weigh-in will take place at Portfest at 3 p.m. A horseshoe-pitching contest starts at 10 a.m. and offers single and doubles categories. The Colgate Country Showdown, a local talent contest designed to find the most promising country music talent in America, starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and features performances by 12 contest finalists.
Jacksonport State Park
In the 1800s steamboats made Jacksonport a thriving river port. During the Civil War, the town was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces because of its crucial locale. Jacksonport became county seat in 1854, and construction of a stately, two-story brick courthouse began in 1869. The town began to decline in the 1880s when bypassed by the railroad. The county seat was moved in 1891 to nearby Newport, and Jacksonport's stores, wharves and saloons soon vanished. The town is now home to Jacksonport State Park, and features an 1872 courthouse with unique exhibits to explain the history of the building and area. The Mary Woods No. 2 riverboat is moored nearby, offering tours of the White River’s last working paddlewheel boat. Other facilities include campgrounds, pavilions, a playground, a wildflower preserve, trails, and boat ramp with access to White River.
For More Information
To learn more about the 28th annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival, visit www.newportarchamber.org or phone the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-523-3618. For more information on Jacksonport State Park, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com/jacksonport.
For More Information
To learn more about the 28th annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival, visit www.newportarchamber.org or phone the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-523-3618. For more information on Jacksonport State Park, visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com/jacksonport.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"