(Walnut Ridge, Ark.) – Beatles at the Ridge has developed into much more than a concert. A Saturday night showing of a Beatles film is also part of the festivities, as well as a book signing by the authors of “Come Together,” presentation of one documentary on the Beatles’ visit to Walnut Ridge, and filming of still another documentary. “A Hard Days Night” will be played Saturday night at the Regions Bank parking lot in Walnut Ridge. The film, which starred the Beatles, was made in 1964, the same year the group made their visit to Walnut Ridge. The movie will begin around 7:15 p.m., and it will be shown on a giant screen Jumbotron projection television. Those attending are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.
On Sunday, the authors of”Come Together: The Business Wisdom of the Beatles” will be on hand to autograph their book. Richard Courtney and George Cassidy wrote the book, which was published this year. It chronicles the calculated and highly successful effort that turned four teenage musicians s from Liverpool, England, into a multi-billion-dollar franchise with multi-generational appeal. Courtney and Cassidy will be selling and signing their book at a tent pavilion near the concert Sunday afternoon.
A documentary film of the Beatles visit to Walnut Ridge will be playing at a new downtown business Sunday afternoon, as well. Mike Bowman of Jonesboro produced the documentary, which features interviews with many of those who witnessed the Beatles’ stop here. It will be shown throughout the afternoon at Imagine, a new gallery that is opening at the corner of Main and Second Street. And, as that documentary is premiering, another will be in the works. Jerry Mitchell, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated reporter from Jackson, Miss., and his partner, Michael Roden, will be shooting footage in Walnut Ridge this weekend for their documentary on the subject. Roden, a Clay County native, is an assistant US attorney in Nashville.
And an important piece of history from the Beatles trip to Walnut Ridge is on display in the area this week. An immaculately restored 1962 Chevrolet Suburban will be on display at Cavenaugh Auto World and other locations. It is the same Suburban that carried some of the Beatles from the Walnut Ridge Airport to their vacation destination near Alton, Mo.
Beatles Day in Arkansas … Last Friday, Governor Mike Beebe signed the proclamation declaring September 18, as Beatles Day in Arkansas. Attached photo of group attending the signing are all from the Lawrence County Tourism Committee and Chamber of Commerce, along with State Representative James Ratliff and Senator Robert Thompson! Mayor Don House and WR City Council … Mayor House also signed a City proclamation declaring September 18th as Beatles Day and Mayor House and the Walnut Ridge City Council have renamed the first block of southwest second street … Abbey Road!
Thanks for their help and a special thanks to Ricky Ditto and his staff for already having the Abbey Road, street signs in place … what a fitting touch for the new Beatles Park, where the tribute will be permanently displayed next week.
The Red GMC Suburban … used to transport Paul from the WR airport and to bring Paul and George back to the airport from their stay at Pigman’s Ranch in Missouri, is on display in the main show room of Cavenaugh Auto World on 67 north in Walnut Ridge. They also have an enlarged photo of George, getting out of the same vehicle upon returning to the WR airport in 1964. Go by and have you picture taken before Sundays event, but expect to see the vehicle involved with our Sundays activities. A special thanks to Bob and Eva Morris of Willow Springs Missouri for letting us borrow the vehicle.