Jimi Jamison, the lead singer of the 1980s hit-making band Survivor (“Eye of the Tiger”), will be the headliner at the Maumelle Family Fest on Saturday, April 21.
The festival, complete with more than 100 carnival rides and games for all ages, food, and a continuous run of music on the stage at Lake Willastein, will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission is $7 in advance (tickets available throughout Maumelle at various retailers) and $10 at the gate. Children under 7 are admitted free. Parking is free.
Butch Stone has spent two years putting the first festival together and hopes it will be an ongoing event that ushers in the spring and early summer festival season. “I was wanting to do something that would provide an family environment, where families could come out and everyone would have fun. I want this to be like Riverfest and Toad Suck Daze [in Conway], but be the first outdoor festival of the year.”
Stone’s first headliner, Jamison, was a Memphis-based singer performing jingles in the 1970s, and he eventually paired him with the other members of Survivor, forming one of the most familiar acts of the late ’70s and early ’80s, recording “I Can’t Hold Back” and “High on You” along with two “Rocky” movie songs, the most famous being “Eye of the Tiger.”
Other music acts at Family Fest include Josef Hedinger, a Fort Smith R&B/pop performer whom Stone has discovered through his brother Isaac, who fronts the rock band Starkz, another act Stone manages. Starkz will also perform. Also appearing Saturday will be Elvis impersonator Tony Witt, Joel Winters, the Boswells, Chosen Daughters, Sean Michael and Ashley McBryde.
Cars, boats and motorcycles will be on display. Radio Disney will bring its Rock N Road Show. Children can also ride camels and ponies, play in the inflatable area, or climb the rock wall, among many activities Stone has lined up. Food offerings will include crawfish, barbecue, catfish, Mexican food, hamburgers and hot dogs.