The 19th annual Soul Fest is set for June 13 at the Union County Fairgrounds and Monday is the last day to take advantage of early-bird tickets for $20.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with a jam-packed roster of blues, southern soul and R&B performers.
Headliners are Bigg Robb, Jeter Jones and J-Woww, all popular names on the blues and southern soul circuit.
Joining the trio on the Soul Fest stage will be plenty of other well-known regional acts, including R&B Pooh, Wild Cowboy, P2K, Blues Boy Bo, West Dawn and DJ Big Daddy In Da Mixx.
With restrictions being lifted for the coronavirus (COVID-19), Michael Jackson — of Mr. Mike’s Productions, the promoter of Soul Fest — said he wanted to forge ahead with the show, which has become one of the most highly anticipated signature events in the region over nearly two decades.
Soul Fest consistently draws an average of 2,000 - 2,500 people to the fairgrounds each year.
Jackson said he was ready to announce details about the show in early March, noting that fliers featuring the headliners and ticket information had already been printed by then.
However, once state officials instituted restrictions and guidelines, particularly for large gatherings and entertainment venues, to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, Jackson said the fate of Soul Fest 2020 became uncertain.
Several other local events, indoor and outdoor, were called off because of the virus.
Main Street El Dorado canceled its St. Patrick’s Day celebration and a revival of Bugs, Bands and Bikes upon a recommendation from the Arkansas Department of Health, who said that it “could not support an event that brings large groups of people together.”
With Soul Fest set for June, Jackson said he opted against cancelling the show immediately and decided instead to wait out the situation.
“I didn’t feel comfortable promoting the show but at the same time, I didn’t not want to promote it. I knew other people had canceled shows that were planned for April and May,” Jackson said.
“The show is still going on and hopefully, the trend toward the epidemic will be gone around that time. People want to get out and this will give people something to do,” he said.
On Friday, Southern-rock singer Travis McCready and his band are scheduled for a live acoustic set at Brown’s TempleLive, an 1,100-seat venue in Fort Smith.
The crowd capacity is being reduced to 229.
The show is believed to be the first concert that will be held in the state since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place for such events and officials have said promoters across the country are watching how the event will unfold as other states navigate through varying stages of easing restrictions.
Attendees will reportedly have to wear face masks, temperature screenings will be conducted at the door and social distancing requirements of at least 6 feet will be in effect.
Theaters, arenas and other indoor entertainment venues are allowed to reopen May 18 in Arkansas, three days after the McCready show.
Jackson noted that Soul Fest attendees will have enough space to bring their lawn chairs and coolers and practice social distancing to enjoy the show.
Food vendors will also be on site.
A Mother’s Day, early-bird special for $20 tickets ends Monday. Advance ticket prices will then go up to $25 and then $30.
Tickets will be $35 the day of the show.
Tickets may be purchased at Mr. Mike’s Music and Artwork, 1309 E. Hillsboro; Special Touch in Camden; JB’s in Crossett; Golden Girls in Warren; Record Rack in Pine Bluff; Ugly Mike’s in Little Rock; and Golden Lady in Texarkana.
In Louisiana, tickets are available at Copy Cats Printing (Ruston) and LBK’s (Farmerville).
For more information, call Jackson at 870-866-7441.