Beatles at the Ridge Set for Sept. 15-16 in Downtown Walnut Ridge (Posted by Ginger Smith)
Beatles at the Ridge Set for Sept. 15-16 – The 2017 Beatles at the Ridge Music Festival is set for Sept. 15-16 in downtown Walnut Ridge. This year’s festival will mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.
Branson’s Liverpool Legends will again headline the music festival, which is free to all to attend. They are scheduled to take the stage on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Other music performances on that Friday evening and Saturday will include: Deadwood Groove, Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers, Jeffrey and the Pacemakers and Riverbilly.
Beatles at the Ridge also features the renowned Artists and Authors Symposium, which brings in Beatles experts and enthusiasts from across the country. Doors will open Friday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Studio, located on Main Street, and the official kickoff for the festival will be a “John Lennon” concert by Alan Bernhoft at 3:30 p.m. Featured authors will be Bruce Spicer and Jude Southerland Kessler, both of whom have written numerous books on The Beatles and are featured speakers at the Fest for Beatles Fans in New York and Chicago. Featured artist for the symposium is Enoch Doyle Jeter, artist in residence at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
A book release party for Spizer’s “The Beatles and Sgt. Pepper: A Fan’s Perspective” will be held as part of the Friday evening activities, and Dr. Ken Womack will be featured on Saturday as he releases his new book “Maximum Volume: The Life of Beatles Producer George Martin.”
Contests, activities and a variety of vendors will round out the two-day event. A full schedule of events, including other performers, artists and authors who will be featured at the festival, can be found at beatlesattheridge.com.
There is vendor space still available at this time, but spots are filled on a first-come, first served basis. Vendor information, including rates and how to reserve a spot can also be found on the event website.
