20th Annual Depot Days Festival
(A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF SONNY BURGESS!!!)
The 20th annual Depot Days music festival is set to take place September 29th-30th, 2017 on historic Front Street in downtown Newport, Arkansas. The festival is a showcase of local, regional, and national talent paying tribute to the early history of Rock and Roll. Old U.S. Highway 67, which runs through the heart of Newport and Jackson County, was the home for dozens of roadhouses and nightclubs which hosted early shows by rock pioneers in the 1950’s and 60’s. Music legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Sonny Burgess all frequented the venues along the highway when Rock music was in its’ infancy. Festival goers from Europe, Australia, and all over the U.S. make annual pilgrimages to Front Street to catch a glimpse of living legends from the 50’s as well as younger generations of musicians who were inspired by the elders.
The expansion of the festival includes a Friday night Blues Show was a HIT last year. We are bringing the Blues Show back to the stage this year on Friday night at 6:00 p.m.
The festival also offers food vendors, crafts, children’s activities, a BBQ contest, and free prizes given away from the stage all day on Saturday! Coolers are welcome. Admission is FREE! For more information see our Depot Days Facebook page, our website at www.depotdays.orgg or contact the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at director@newportarchamber.org or call 870-523-3618.