DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY|dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – A new era begins for the Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce this weekend with the inaugural Three Rivers Heritage Festival to be held on the Montgomery County Courthouse Square.
The festival has endured several setbacks due to the COVID pandemic, but has prevailed. The festival will begin Friday, September 23 with vendors setting up between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the courthouse square in Mount Ida. A wide variety of vendors will be on hand. Local school organizations will also be fundraising during the event.
Friday night will feature music on the Front Porch Stage beginning at 7 p.m.
Saturday will be filled with activities to include the Dub Clenney Memorial Car Show.
While car shows have long been a part of past festivals in Mount Ida, This year marks the first year for the Dub Clenney Memorial Car Show. Dub Clenney was a long time resident of Montgomery County who had a love for cars. He was a vital part of early car shows in Mount Ida. Organizers for this year’s event have chosen to honor his legacy by naming the new car show in his honor.
Registration for the car show will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 24, with judging to take place at 12 p.m. Awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m.
Applications for the car show are available at the Chamber office or you can call 870-867-2723 or 870-260-6140.
The first 25 entrants will receive a goody bag and the first 50 will receive a dash plaque. There will be a trophy in each class, in addition there will be Dub’s Family Choice, Chamber of Commerce Choice, People’s Choice, Best Interior, Best Engine, Best Paint and Best Overall.
Entry fee is $30 and entries will be accepted up to the day of the show.
Saturday’s events will include a host of vendors with a variety of wares. Bouncy houses will also be available for the younger attendees.
Music will fill the air throughout the day with local musicians taking the stage from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. Local artists will get a chance to perform before a live audience as they audition for a possible spot in next year’s Front Porch Stage schedule. All you need to bring is your voice and an instrument.
Anyone interested in participating can sign up on Facebook through messenger, or you can text (870) 867-7213.
Saturday night will feature the lyrical talents of Mike Mayberry and the Slowhands. Mike and his band have been a mainstay of the Front Porch Stage and Chamber Festivals in the past. The show will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
Festival and car show shirts will be available for purchase at the Chamber booth. Come by the Chamber booth for an opportunity to win some cash while learning about the rich heritage of Montgomery County’s natural beauty inclucing Lake Ouachita, and the Ouachita Mountains. You can also learn about the Caddo, Ouachita and Little Missouri Rivers. Montgomery County is also home to three IMBA Epic Trails, The Womble, Ouachita and LOViT Trails are among the best in the country for mountain biking and hiking.
You can also learn more about the Heritage House Museum and other great attractions in Montgomery County.
For more on the festival contact the Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce at (870) 867-2723. You can also find them on Facebook or online at www.mountidachamber.com
