TEXARKANA, Ark. -- An all-day, all-local music festival will raise funds for the Literacy Council of Miller and Bowie Counties on Saturday.
The Locals for Literacy Music Festival at Hopkins Icehouse downtown will spotlight the Texarkana music scene while supporting the Literacy Council's 100 Families program. Thirteen bands are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., as well as a singer to open the festival with the National Anthem.
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LINK: Locals for Literacy Music Festival Performance Schedule
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The festival was the idea of Literacy Council volunteers, and organizers hope it will become an annual event.
"One of our volunteers said, 'Hey, I have this idea for a music fest. We want to spotlight local artists because we have so much talent right here in Texarkana. And would you mind if we plan this music fest and gave you guys the proceeds?'" said Jenny Walker, Literacy Council executive director.
Hopkins has gotten the appropriate permits and will close off part of East Third Street in front of the restaurant to provide space for bands and music fans.
Hopkins has been "really amazing and very supportive of this," Walker said. "We have such a great and generous community. I'm always very inspired by the people that just show up and show out whenever we need something. And this is definitely not an exception."
The 100 Families program aims to help families in crisis and to help marshal the resources of various community organizations to help meet their needs.
"It is all about collaborative assistance for these families in crisis. We will work collaboratively to build guided pathways and help out the families in needs such as food, housing, transportation, mental and physical health, and recovery," said Kristina Rivas-Jones, the program's local coordinator, at a kickoff event in March.
The 100 Families initiative was started by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2015 and is now operating in many Arkansas communities, the latest being Miller County. Bowie County is the first Texas community to take part.
(The Locals for Literacy Music Festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Hopkins Icehouse, 301 E. Third St. All-day admission will cost $10.)
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Have you heard our local music podcast Tune In Texarkana? Host Erin DeBlanc interviews musicians across the spectrum of the Texarkana scene, and every episode includes music recorded live.