Festival to Feature Free Concerts from Charles Esten, Rissi Palmer, More
Vendors, Food Trucks, Activities, Contest Announced
RISON - This Saturday, large crowds can be expected to fill the streets of Downtown Rison as the city prepares for the Rison In The Fall Festival, which opens to the public at 12 noon Saturday, Oct. 12.
“In the past few years since rebranding the festival into a musical event, we’ve averaged between 2,000-2,500 people throughout the day,” Festival Director Douglas Boultinghouse said.
“Based on the feedback we’re getting on the entertainment lineup and from the increased advertising efforts this year, we’re expecting the crowds to be even larger.”
Boultinghouse joined Herald Publisher Britt Talent and Festival Co-Founder Roy Phillips for a new episode of the Free Range Conversations Podcast streaming now to talk all things Rison in the Fall and the growth the festival has seen.
Boultinghouse said the biggest contributing factor is the expanded lineup of performances featuring Matt Wilkerson, Marybeth Byrd, BIAS, Rissi Palmer and Charles Esten.
“People are really excited to see each act, and they’re equally as excited to get to Rison,” he said.
According to Boultinghouse, there’s a local following for Wilkerson, Byrd and BIAS, all Arkansas natives. Wilkerson is just getting his start performing, but BIAS has been recording in Nashville following his Top Nine placement on NBC’s The Voice last fall. Byrd previously competed on The Voice, but also placed in the Top 12 of American Idol in 2023.
“BIAS is looking at this show in Rison has his ‘homecoming’ show,” Boultinghouse said. “He’s from White Hall originally and is looking at seeing many friends and family at the festival.”
Boultinghouse said the same goes for Wilkerson and Byrd.
“Matt’s bringing his own crowd of people to see him open the show, and Marybeth’s friends, family and fans from all over the state are making their way to Rison to see her,” he said.
It all leads up to two nationally-known performers taking the Rise Up Rison Stage that evening.
GRAMMY-nominee Rissi Palmer is making a return to Arkansas to perform at the festival after revealing during a past podcast episode that one of her first performances as a singer was at the Arkansas State Fair, and years later at Walmart headquarters to celebrate the release of her album in 2007.
Singer and actor Charles Esten will headline the festival concluding the night’s concerts. In last week’s podcast, Esten shared that though he’s known for his acting in shows like “Nashville,” “Outer Banks,” “Who’s Line Is It Anyway,” and many other shows and films, music is his first love and the place he feels the most at home.
“Charles is looking forward to taking the stage in Rison and sharing his new music and create magic connecting with fans,” Boultinghouse said.
All five concerts are free to attend, but guests will need to bring a lawn chair.
The schedule is as follows:
- 1 p.m. Matt Wilkerson
- 2:30 p.m. Marybeth Byrd
- 4 p.m. BIAS
- 5:30 p.m. Rissi Palmer
- 7 p.m. Charles Esten
Boultinghouse encourages people to stream the Free Range Conversations podcast episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or ClevelandCountyHerald.com to hear more from each act, and an overview of the festival as a whole.
Street Closures, Entrances and Restricted Access
Streets will begin closing at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.
“As our stage crew begins arriving Friday afternoon and into the evening, we will start to close off portions of Main Street and Third Street,” Boultinghouse said.
Streets will remain closed through Sunday morning.
For exact locations of closed streets, please refer to the festival map.
There will also be areas of the festival that must remain closed off to the public, specifically the 300-block of Main Street.
“In years passed, people have trickled in through the intersection of Main Street by the Courthouse,” Boultinghouse said. “We cannot allow the public in this area for many safety and security purposes as it is directly located behind our stage.”
Boultinghouse said the area will be closed off with barriers to prevent access.
“Our stage crew, as well as entertainers and their crews, will be utilizing this space, as will our Rison Shine Community Development volunteers assisting them,” Boultinghouse said.
The public is asked to enter the festival by following the alley behind Buie/Cole Funeral Home to the FBT Community Park, or at the intersection of Main and Second, or intersection of Third and Pine.
“For everyone’s safety, guests attending the festival must enter through the alley/park or at the intersections where we have food trucks placed,” he said.
Vendors and Food Trucks
Boultinghouse said the festival will feature eight food trucks this year and around 40 vendors on Main Street and Third Streets.
Set up for the vendors will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
“During set up, we ask the public to refrain from coming downtown into the areas where the festival will take place,” Boultinghouse said.
“We will officially open up at 12 noon to allow you to explore the vendors and trucks.”
A list of vendors can be found and the end of this article, and on clevelandcountyarkansas.com. They are also shared on the Rison in the Fall Festival Facebook Page.
A map of the vendors can also be found in this issue of the paper.
“We have a few spaces still available to fit in vendors, and some still in the registration process now to be announced by the end of the week,” he said.
Vendors will be accepted until spaces are filled, through 12 noon, Friday, Oct. 11 by calling/texting (870) 510-2433.
Bounce Houses
Freedom Assembly will host two bounce houses from 12 noon to 7 p.m. behind Access Medical Clinic on Third Street for kids and families to enjoy.
Cleveland County Cares Fishing Expedition
Cleveland County Cares will be giving away a fishing expedition prize valued at over $1,400 during the festival. Tickets will be sold at the Cleveland County Cares booth on Main Street. The winner will be chosen before the last concert.
Pet Photo Contest
Rison Paws for a Cause is hosting a pet photo contest in FBT Park on Main Street.
“This year, we replaced the traditional pageant with a Most Photogenic Contest,” said Paws representative Penny Pitchford.
Submissions to be printed are due by noon Friday, Oct. 11 or you can bring your pet’s photo to the Paws for a Cause booth at noon on Saturday, Oct. 12.
For a $5 donation, your pet's photo will be displayed, and the pet receiving the most votes will receive a custom t-shirt, with a matching one for the pet parent!
Please submit photos to be printed to RisonPawsForACause@yahoo.com and make the $5 entry fee donation via cash app or PayPal $risonpawsforacause or @risonpawsforacause.
Paws for a Cause will also have a Photo Booth setup, and renowned groomer Jamie Creighton will have bandannas for sale.
Votes will be $1 each or 6 votes for $5. Each vote/dollar will also be an entry into a drawing for an iRobot - Roomba i3+ EVO (3550) Wi-Fi Connected Self Emptying Robot Vacuum!
“Your pet doesn’t need to be present to win and you won’t need to be present to win the roomba,” said Pitchford.
Joe Cook Memorial Horseshoe Tournament
Big Red’s Feed Trough will host the annual Joe Cook Memorial Horseshoe Tournament beginning at 10 a.m. on the corner of Third and Pine Street.
The tournament is being organized by Lauren Cook Threlkeld.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and costs are $20 per team.
Race to Rison in the Fall 5K/1-Mile Walk
Saturday’s festivities will kick off at 7 a.m. with the 5K and 1-Mile Walk sponsored by Absolute Health.
Registration is available on RunSignUp.com online through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11.
Day-of registration will be available beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Main Street.
Participating Food Trucks
Taco Shellz will offer burritos, quesadillas, street tacos, Mexican corn cups, frybread and fresca drinks.
The Pizza Trailer will offer wood-fired pizza by the (x-large) slice and drinks.
G&T BBQ will offer ribs, brisket, chicken, polish sausage, baked beans, mac and cheese and more.
Marv’s Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will offer hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos and BBQ.
Lucy Mae’s Southern Foods will offer burgers, chicken strips, fries, chicken and steak phillies, pork chop sandwiches and more.
Kingdom Made Treats will offer small batch Italian ice, funnel cakes, deep fried oreos, fresh squeezed lemonades, footlong corn dogs and caramel apples.
Lybrand Park N Go will offer Boba Drinks, Shaved Ice Cream, Nachos and UFO sandwiches.
Big Red’s Feed Trough will offer pulled pork, brisket and ribs.
Participating Vendors
Crider’s Creations - Handmade gemstone jewelry and handmade sewn items.
The Forgotten Drawer - Squishmallowes, Pokemon, lanyards, ketchains, Hot Wheels.
VFW Post 4455 and Toys for Tots - Scholarship information, raffles and Toys for Tots collection box.
M&S Essentials - Essential and body oils.
Sunflower Farm Originals - Jewelry, bows, shirts, cups, cakepops, farmhouse decorations.
Jacob Wilson, Edward Jones Financial Advisor - Information, Door Prizes.
Lana Jane Creations - Mesh wreaths, stained glass.
Cleveland County Hamsters - Amateur Radio Club and Emergency Services.
Lanwood Community - Historical information on Landwood School.
Handmade Things by Billy Bowlin - Wood crafts and more.
The Painted Skunk - Car freshies.
Funcessories - Permanent Jewelry, trucker hat bar, personalized handbags, accessories, apparel and seasonal items.
Arkansas Blue Cross, Blue Shield - Information.
Rison Church of Christ - Information.
Double M Firearms/Cleveland Co. Cares - Fishing expedition giveaway, cookbooks, concealed carry information, etc.
Cleveland County Cattleman’s Assocation - Information.
Lynda Jaggers Crafts - Laser, hand painted Christmas ornaments, fall and Chrismas door hangers, etc.
State Representative Sonia Barker - Information.
Muscadine Linens - Machine embroidered lines.
Keeley Banic, Color Street - Independent Stylist.
Judy’s Creations - Baked and canned goods, keychains, lanyards, wristlets, beaded pens, embroidered shirts.
The Right Insurance Agency, Jim Rardin - AM Better Health Insurance.
Yolanda Rauls Desserts - Cakes and more.
The Byrd House - Door hangers.
Roxanne’s Baubles and Beauties - JBloom Fashion Jewelry.
Hallie and Company Boutique - Fashions, accessories and more.
Reflections Therapy Services - Information.
Direct Auto Insurance - Information.
Promise Cookies and More - Cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls.
Pine Bluff Thunder Track Club - AAU Track and Field.
Bethel No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church - Information.
FBT Bank - Information.
Rison Paws for a Cause - Pet Photo Contest, Photo Booth, Bandanas.
Pain Boss - All natural pain relief and on-site tincture rub.
Eunoia Distressed Flannels - Handmade distressed fall flannels.
Cricket Wireless - Information.
Linked by Cass - Semi-permanent hair chains and earrings.
Mainline Health Systems - Information.
That’s So You Boutique - Purses, jewelry and accessories.