Big Grass Bluegrass Festival kicks off Thursday

The facility opened in 1925 and has hosted many concerts, community theatre productions, theatrical screenings, and community events. Since 2010, the Collins Theatre has been the home for KASU-FM’s monthly Bluegrass Monday concert series. The sustained success of that concert series led the board of the Collins Theatre to plan its first ever bluegrass festival for 2020, which was then postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That first festival featured Rhonda Vincent, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, High Fidelity, Breaking Grass, and other nationally-known groups.

The Collins Theatre received the Venue of the Year honor at the 2022 Arkansas Country Music Awards. The Big Grass Bluegrass Festival is a non-profit event, and proceeds will go toward the theatre’s foundation, ensuring that many other events can continue to be held at this significant venue.

With COVID-19 cases continuing in the state, the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) and the Arkansas Department of Health announced that they are partnering to provide the Pfizer vaccine at the Big Grass Bluegrass Festival. Those who are 5 years and older are eligible to receive a Pfizer vaccine at this event. Ages 5-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The vaccine is free and will be available Thursday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Collins Theatre.

The festival opens Thursday with an evening of “bluegrass meets rock-and-roll.” The Hillbenders, a Southwest Missouri-based acoustic band, will present their WhoGrass show, which features bluegrass-inspired arrangements of songs by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Who.

Also on Thursday the Cleverlys will present their unique and hilarious show which mixes comedy with bluegrass versions of pop, rock, hip-hop and rap songs.

The 2022 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Entertainer of the Year, the Kody Norris Show, will perform Friday, July 22, alongside two other acts nominated for that honor this year, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and the Grascals.

Two shows will be presented at the theatre on Saturday, July 23, each featuring three very well-known, chart-topping, and award-winning acts: The Daryl Mosley Band, Nothin’ Fancy, and the Lonesome River Band.

In addition to these four bluegrass shows to be held in the air-conditioned comfort of the Collins Theatre, numerous other activities will occur outdoors in downtown Paragould surrounding the theatre. Local vendors and food trucks will be present along with activities for children.

On Saturday, July 23, in the nearby Centennial Park, numerous local and regional bluegrass and country acts will perform free for the crowds. 2022 Arkansas Country Music Award winner for Young Artist of the Year, Sylamore Special, will play in this park alongside The Voice Season 17 contestant Cory Jackson, the bands Magnolia Wind and Sand Creek, and singer-songwriter Chad Garrett.

Camping is available at the nearby Crowley’s Ridge and Lake Frierson State Parks as well as at the city-owned Reynolds Park in Paragould. More information about the festival, including a link to purchase tickets, is at www.collinstheatre.com and at www.facebook.com/ collinsbluegrassfestival.