Go hear the blues in McNab
MCNAB, Ark.—McNab welcomes blues fans Saturday, Aug. 3, when hosting the McNab Blues Festival for the second year in a row.
On tap to perform are blues acts from the region and further afield: Montrell Jackson, Andre´ Lee, Mz. Connie, The Night Hawk Band and Jimmie Williams, also known as the Blues Boy, said the event organizer. Gates open at 5 p.m. with a 7 p.m. to midnight show time.
McNab’s mayor, James Conway, says acts hail from Mississippi, Dallas and elsewhere. The Night Hawk Band originates from right around here, though.
“This is in McNab, a town that Big Daddy (Griff) used to promote all the time,” Conway said. The McNab City Park will host the festivities. This is a BYOB affair with no one under 18 allowed. Lawn chairs are recommended.
“We’re looking to have a tremendous time,” Conway said, noting last year’s festival drew about 900 people. Blues shows pack the field, he said, and they anticipate about 2,000 people for this festival.
The McNab City Committee is staging the show.
“We’re trying to do something to bring in extra income in order to promote the city,” Conway said. They’ve added a health and fitness trail. A pavilion is a draw for events. A Corvette car show from Dallas drew a crowd there recently, too.
“It’s heavily used. As a matter of fact, it’s booked all the way from now until the last week in October,” Conway said about the park, noting the city has a long history. Now the population totals all of 68 people.
“I’m the mayor of 68 people. I’m proud of that,” Conway said, noting people need to proud of where they’re staying. They’ve made strides in McNab, and he said the walking trail draws people from the surrounding area.
About the blues festival, he’s looking forward to it.
“We just hope to get a good crowd and the weather permits,” said Conway, who works with local deejays to make contacts with different musical artists to perform at the festival.
For people who enjoy the blues, visit the small Hempstead County town of McNab on Aug. 3 to enjoy the show.