Trina Bell
Daily Dunklin Democrat
HORNERSVILLE, Mo. -- Coldwater Productions announced it is gearing up for the Sixth Annual Little River Fest held on the banks of the Little River at Hornersville.
Any and all music lovers are invited to attend what some have referred to as the Bootheel's version of Memphis in May.
"When we started River Fest a few years ago, we wanted to put something together so people could come together for a good time," Coldwater Productions' Chris Droke said. "We wanted something that would provide and promote live music here in Hornersville and bring people to town.
Droke said the initial idea was to aim River Fest in the spirit and tradition of the Hornersville Farmers and Merchants Club Watermelon Festival. "With the improvements we've made each year, this year's River Fest promises to be the best ever."
Little River Fest, Southeast Missouri's premier R&B, Country, and Rock music event, is right around the corner, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 21.
The gates open at 1 p.m., with the first concert scheduled to kick-off at 3 p.m.
The setting for Little River Fest is the riverside park on Little River adjacent to the Missouri Department of Conservation boat landing in Hornersville. "Most like that seating is open," Droke said. "People bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and park it where ever they want."
To go along with the theme of "Little River Fest" concessions at the event include barbecue, crawfish, hot dogs, hamburgers, and wings, as well as other refreshments. Ice cold beverages will be available, therefore, no coolers are allowed.
For those who plan to make an entire night of the event, a camping area is available near the concert site, but please remember, an advance notice will need to be given if you plan on camping, to prevent overcrowding.
This year's line-up will feature performances by Dani, who was an American Idol favorite from Memphis, Tenn., who some say is a mixture of Norah Jones, Bonnie Rait, and Sheryl Crow.
Also returning this year is Kennett's own, The Usual Suspects, who have become an area favorite. The Usual Suspects, featuring Gary Wilcoxson, Darryl Wilcoxson, Jim Baker, Wendell Crow, and Ken Williams, are a local favorite, who keeps everyone moving with their renditions of blues and rock favorites.
Kennett native Ashley Wilcoxson, who has been busy making a name for herself in Nashville, will be another returning performer, as well as the Joe Pagetta Band, also from Nashville, who has ties to the Kennett area as well.
Other rocking performances can be expected by groups like Jaded, a band of local rockers who were definite crowd pleasers at last year's event, Back Roads, a group from Little Rock, Ark., and Bow Legged, of Jonesboro, Ark.
More information about the upcoming event will be announced at a later date. Anyone with questions about the festival or to reserve a camp site, please call Chris at (573) 737-9619.
Sponsors for this year's event include: Wickers, FOCUS Bank, Budweiser, 7-Up RC Bottling, Nucor-Yamato Steel, Schilp Dodge, Mitchell Drug, Guit Down Music, Sokoloff-Prosecutor, and Triple FM.