Hear the music and find your feet July 19 through 21 at the 21st
annual Old Fort River Festival in Fort Smith. The three-day
multi-faceted family festival includes 25 arts and crafts vendors, a
large children's area, live music, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament,
ethnic foods and beverages, exhibits and a large fireworks display.

On Thursday, July 19 the festival is open from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Local, regional and national musical groups entertain at the festival.
From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday will be Carrie Underwood, followed
by Baby Jason and the Spankers, who will play from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. The band 17th Floor will play from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., rounding
out the first night of the festival.

Thursday night is family night and admission is half price or $2.50
per person. Friday and Saturday admission is $5 per person. Children
age 12 and under are admitted free during the entire river festival.

On Friday July 20 the festival begins at 5 p.m. and ends at midnight.
The popular band Trout Fishing in America kicks-off the music Friday
from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ultra Suede plays from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.,
followed by King Beez from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The last day of the festival,  Saturday, July 21, is packed full of
entertainment from noon until midnight. The Ladies of the Gospel play
from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Next up is the Racey Brothers from 2 p.m. to
3:15 p.m., followed by FunkShop from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Chris Wyatt will entertain from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the popular
Cate Brothers will perform from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rosie Ledet is next,
playing from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. There is a break in the music for
a fireworks show from 10 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Then Roomful of Blues ends
the night as the group plays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, vendors will offer a variety of food,
including, strawberry desserts, Kettle Korn, pork rinds, hot dogs,
corn dogs, cheese sticks, nachos, barbecue, spiral spuds, gyros,
funnel cakes, onion blossoms, pineapple soft serve ice cream, cotton
candy, lemonade, Mexican food and frozen flavored ice treats.

The children's area will be bigger than last year and have some new
entertainment. The return of the comical, fast changing, tall man, Kid
Davie will delight young and old as he strolls through the park on his
six-foot legs.  The children's stage will be filled with singers,
dancers and entertainers. Other children activities include the
Caterpillar Crawl, the Velcro Wall, the Bungee Run, the Bouncy Boxing
and new this year, the Gladiator Jousting Arena. Returning favorites
from last year include, the art tent, petting zoo, pony rides, fire
house, aquarium, and train ride.

Local, regional and state merchants display their wares, products and
services throughout Riverfest Expo Lane. Merchants offer everything
from new cars and boats to outdoor furniture to the latest in hunting
and fishing gear.  The festival takes place at Fort Smith Park at 6th
Street and Clayton Expressway downtown. For more information visit:
www.oldfortriverfest.com or call 501-783-6363.


Source: "Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"