Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Festival activities comes together

Plans continue to be unveiled about the 24th Annual Forest Festival slated for Saturday, Oct. 30, in downtown Gurdon.

Billy Wells, who is in charge of booth sign-up, said the number of booths is still right at 100, with the last minute booth requests yet to come in. The festival is sponsored by the Community Development and Entertainment Club (CD&E).

"We have some that always wait for a weather report before paying their money," Wells said. "But if you are interested, come on down to my flower shop at Khun's Hardware and we will fix you up. I am really pleased with the entertainment line-up for this year."

Terry LeMay, who has been the entertainment coordinator for three years, said, "We've got things pretty full now on the Main Street bandstand. I may try a couple more in the 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. slot but the rest of the day seems full up.

"We want everyone to come and have a good time with our family oriented entertainment. We have tried to be sure to get entertainment the whole family can enjoy."

LeMay is the pastor of the First Christian Church of Gurdon.

As to the entertainment, it starts just after the kick-off parade at 10 a.m.

At 10:30 a.m., Hawkins Family "Southern Gospel" out of Hot Springs will perform. LeMay said Hawkins family has been a regular at the Forest Festival for more than a decade.

At 11:15 a.m., the Hillary Frisby Show, starring 11-year-old Hillary, will take the stage "and probably sing country". She is the daughter of Tommy and Tammy Frisby of Gurdon.

At 11:30 a.m., Design By Grace of Prescott will sing gospel; noon, grand opening political speeches, marshal candidates and others; 12:15 p.m., South Arkansas Cheer Academy; 12:30 p.m., the Advancers "Gospel Music" from Pine Bluff; 1 p.m., the Elizabeth Hill "Country Music Show," with Gurdon native Elizabeth Hill; 1:30 p.m., Messengers from the Heart "Gospel Music" of Gurdon; 2 p.m., Mt. Cannon Baptist Church Choir of Gurdon; 2:30 p.m., Christina Danneils "Country Music;" 3 p.m., Winnie Clark Country Music USA (oldies up to new country) of Gurdon; 3:30 p.m., Pat Talley and Friends of Gurdon; 4 p.m., CD&E Club Auction (big fundraiser for this and future festivals); 5 p.m., Halloween Costume Contest (anyone may enter); 5:30 p.m., the Jill Plyer Show, country and gospel; and 7:30 p.m., a street dance with Marlin Harper Country Music Band.

"The street dance usually lasts until about 10:30 p.m.," LeMay said. "Everyone is encouraged to come and have fun."