Council approves permit for 13th annual Legendary Blues Festival

The Helena-West Helena City Council voted 6–0 Tuesday to approve a permit for the 13th annual Legendary Blues Festival on Aug. 30, with the organizer requesting partial street closures and assistance from the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office and West Helena Police Department. Raymond Sims, promoter and owner of Force 3 Radio Network, told the council the festival will start at 2 p.m. and will feature artists including Pokey Bear, Big Gayo, Angel Faye Russell and JC McKellar. Sims said advance tickets are $25 and $30 at the door. He said festival staff will handle trash and that organizers will coordinate with the new police chief on logistics. The motion to approve the permit was made by Mister Saint Columbia and seconded by Miss Miller. The clerk recorded six yes votes: Miss Davis, Mister Saint Columbia, Doctor Miller, Mister Messina, Miss Miller and Mister Ethele. Council members asked the promoter to coordinate lighting with the Delta Cultural Center for the large street poles and to request a trash barrel pickup from public works. The permit was approved with those operational notes.