Monticello Live

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National country music recording artist, John Michael Montgomery, has been announced as the headline act for Monticello’s annual Forestry Festival, which will be held on April 2 at City Park.

More details will be announced later this week.

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Click here to see the map of those 29 states.

Wilmar’s Juneteenth Celebration is recognized nationwide as one of the largest celebrations that commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1865. 

This year, at least 29 states were represented at Wilmar’s celebration, based on visits with guests and license plates seen over the weekend.

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For generations, the Robertson family grew up in their home at the intersection of 7th Street,and Hart Avenue, in Wilmar.

They lived in, what is now, the only remaining 1800’s era house in Wilmar.  The others have gradually disappeared.

The Robertson parents have passed away, but their adult still respect their family tradition of gathering at the homestead for Wilmar’s Juneteenth.

Shown here are some of the immediate family, along with a cousin or two who joined in this year.  Family members traveled form California, Georgia (moved there from Michigan), and even Alaska to attend Juneteenth this year.

A local focus group is seeking ideas and volunteers to organize an annual Festival to be held on the 4th Saturday of October.

If you would you like to volunteer and help plan this festival or if you have any ideas for themes, events, or contests please send an email to monticellofestivalideas@yahoo.com.

Please submitted suggestions by November 2.

Students from Monticello Dance Academy competed in the 25th annual Buck Fever Festival Talent Show in Banks. Participants included Alli Beth King, Lexi Thomas, Alexandria Pennington, Olivia Wilson, and Charlee Carter. The winner of the 4-9 year old dance solo division was Olivia Wilson. The winner of the 10-14 year old dance solo division was Charlee Carter.

Olivia, the 8 year old daughter of Jeremy and Rachel Wilson, also won 3rd overall. Charlee, the 14 year old daughter of Mark and Michelle Carter, won 1st overall.

Students are pictured here with instructors Alana Garbacz and Allison Neill.

Local band CashboX will be playing live at the Rhythm and Roots festival in Monticello with Andy Griggs.

CashboX will take the stage at 5:00 and Griggs at 8:00. For those of you who haven’t noticed, CashboX has been having a lot success and has become quite well known, especially in South Arkansas. Their desire to move away from the new “modern country” sound and lean towards bringing back southern rock, they have quickly acquired a fan base all over the United States, and even in Europe. CashboX is featured on several European “southern rock” websites and radio stations, right along with all the southern rock greats, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, and Molly Hatchet.

CashboX has also given back to the community and fans that have gotten them where they are today. They have played benefit shows for Race for the Cure, and are set to play this year at Cablevision’s “Toys for the Tots” toy drive. They have also set up a fundraiser on their website for a special little boy, Haygen, who is the son of a very passionate and helpful CashboX fan. You can view the details at http://www.cashboxmusic.com (more…)

In 1991, Mayor Harold West proclaimed May 4, as “Hank Thompson Day” in Monticello, AR. The dedication of a little league field was named in his honor at Jordan Park, Hwy. 278 East.

The family is hosting the “ Hank Thompson Day Celebration” on Sunday, May 2, 2010 @ 3:00 pm to be held at the little league field named in his honor.

Free Food and drinks will be served, activities for the children and fellowship for the community as well. The recipient of the second memorial scholarship will also be named during the celebration.

Everyone is invited to attend and join in some family fun in honor of our beloved Hank Thompson.

In case of inclement weather the event will be inside the Sadie Johnson Community Building at the same address.

Usually the follow up reports after a local festival don’t include arrest reports, but for the second consecutive year, this has been the case in Monticello. (more…)

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