Portfest Festival announces June 6 headliner

Molly Hatchet will be the headline act on June 6 at the 28th annual Portfest “Rollin’ on the River” Festival. Hosted by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, Portfest is held on the banks of the White River at beautiful Jacksonport State Park, three miles north of Newport off Hwy. 69.

In the early 1970s a new form of music was emerging in the South. A mixture of blues, country, gospel and the English invasion of rock and roll that later was to be coined the phrase "Southern Rock." The music was filled with style and emotion and with bands in the forefront such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a band from Jacksonville, Florida called Molly Hatchet. Named after a famous 17th century axe murderess "hatchet molly," who would behead her lovers with the hand tool Lizzy Borden made famous.

Their self-titled debut album was released on Epic records in 1978 and reached multi-platinum status as the band established their reputation of working hard, playing tough and living fast through intense touring with such bands as Aerosmith, Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones and many more. In 1979, Flirtin' With Disaster was released and history was in the making. The band continued touring on the road with an average of 250 live shows per year and, like the first album, it also achieved multi-platinum status.

Tickets for June 6 are $7 either in advance or at the gate before 4 p.m.; they will increase to $15 at the gate after 4 p.m. Kids six and under get in free. Tickets will go on sale in mid-April at outlets throughout the region including Searcy, Batesville, Jonesboro and Newport. Annual Portfest-related activities include Miller Spectacular Carnival, a Buddy Bass Tournament, 5K Walk and Run, a kids fishing derby, two-person golf scramble, talent contest, horseshoe pitching contest, kids attractions and the Colgate Country Showdown.

Portfest is pleased to welcome Little Big Town in concert on Friday, June 5. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gates. For more information, contact the Chamber office at (870) 523-3618, email director@newportarchamber.org or check for updates at www.portfest.org, which is currently under redevelopment.