Arbyrd prepares for Cotton Pickin' Festival 2008

ARBYRD, Mo.,-- Mayor Lonnie Gibson and the City of Arbyrd is as enthusiastic as ever regarding the fast approaching Third Annual "Cotton Pickin' Concert."

The event, which is slated to take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Arbyrd City Park, will consist of a full day of fun activities including a Bootheel Biker Poker Run that will start up at 7:30 a.m.

There will also be several family-and kid-friendly activities taking place throughout the day, in addition to other entertainment, vendors, prizes and music.

Lonnie Gibson Jr.

Speaking of music, this year's event will feature Southeast Missouri's good ol' boys, the Kentucky Headhunters, with special guest, the Ben Brand Band and friends of Nashville Tenn.

"The Headhunters are excited to be here in Arbyrd, and we are pretty thrilled to have them," Gibson said.

The Headhunters group consists of Doug Phelps, Greg Martin, Fred Young and Richard Young, and is most notably known for their honky-tonk, Southern sound.

"This band has sold over six million albums and received numerous music awards," Gibson noted. "It's going to be a great show."

Also performing is the Headhunters' guest, the Ben Brand Band.

However, due to a recent car accident, the man himself will not be on stage.

According to Gibson, Brand was in a crash and suffered injuries which have prevented him from performing.

The good news is that Brand is on the road to recovery and, according to Gibson, Brand says "things are looking good."

The Ben Brand Band is a group that has played in local clubs for several years and shared the stage with great artists including The Kentucky Headhunters, and other favorites such as The Bellamy Brothers, Billy Currington, Exile, T. Graham Brown and Merle Haggard, according to Brand's myspace page.

Other groups appearing during the festival will include the country duo, Blacktop at 3 p.m., Fault Line at 4 p.m. and Bill Hurst and Don Osment at 5 p.m.

The Headhunters will take the stage later in the evening, following a comic performance by Arbyrd's mayor that should keep everyone in stitches.

Gibson plans to fill the park with laughter as he takes the stage to put on a few, unique, creative, and most of all, hilarious skits based on comedy favorites like Ray Stevens and other well known humorists.

The Third Annual Cotton' Pickin' Festival is going to be much like a family-oriented Woodstock of sorts, where guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and their cooler, if they wish, for a day at the park.

Seating will be provided, but is limited, with the city expecting a large crowd. Concessions will also be available.

"The 7UP/RC Bottling Company, distributors of the Crunk Energy Drink will be introducing its new, citrus flavored, energy drink at our event. They will have the Crunk tent set up along with the Crunk mobile and the Crunk Girls will also be there," Mayor Gibson said.

According to David Kellums, sales manager of the 7UP/RC Cola Bottling Company of Paragould, Ark., the Crunk Energy Drink Company has also donated money in support of a 2009 Yamaha V Star 650 motorcycle, that will be given away during the concert.

Mayor Gibson said to win the V Star, you only need to buy a ticket to get into the festival.

"Each ticket is a chance to win and all you need to do is be present," Gibson explained.

All proceeds for the festival will support the Arbyrd City Park Recreation Fund, which is designed to improve the community park.

Gibson said the city is working on the installation of a new swing set and would like to add a modular playground area, as well as, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

"We would also hope to add lighting, seating and a concession stand in the near future," Gibson added.

Mayor Gibson, on behalf of Arbyrd would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors for their support: 7UP and RC Cola, 107.1 The Train and the Senath State Bank, Arbyrd Co-Op, Faulkners Grocery Store, Agexplore, International, Adkerson Trucking, Kellums Construction, 4-Way Cotton Gin, Adams Fertilizer Company, CoMark Cotton, Dalton Cotton Company, Central Chevrolet, Allenburg Cotton, HOGAIR, Shelter Ins., Hometown Café, NEA Signs and Banners, Ameren UE, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Kirk Equipment, Agri Packaging and Logistics, AP and L, Baker Implement Co., Kennett Irrigation, Baker Implement Company, Unico Bank, GT Ag, LLC., TSI Specialists Inc., Russell Construction, Glean Sain, Steadfast Trans-Continent, Mr. T'S Riverside, Black Gold, Reinhart Cotton Company, Agriliance, First National Bank, Senath State Bank, Burton's Quick Shop - Flowers and Gifts, Iron Horse Café, AJ's and Hogland Yamaha.

"This is not just about the city of Arbyrd," Gibson continued. "The festival is more about community and the true meaning of the word. We would like to see everyone at the festival including locals and those people who live in surrounding communities. We want everyone to come out and have a good time."