'Blast from the Past' coming to Gentry

— Featured entertainers at the Gentry Fall Festival on Oct. 10 include Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley - well, almost.

Actually, entertainment will be provided by a group of impersonators known as "Blast from the Past."

These entertainers and their bands will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the Gentry City Park. Their concert will be free, but concert goers will need to bring their own lawn chairs if they wish to listen in comfort.

Honoring Conway Twitty is Randy Holland, two-time winner of "You Can Be a Star" in the Nashville Network. Bill Holden will pay the tribute to Roy Orbison. He is from Branson, Mo., and has been performing with Tony Orlando for the past five years. Holden also performed in the famous "Legends in Concert" at Las Vegas.

Barry Humphries will perform the music and style of Elvis. He is a police officer by day but is "Elvis" at night. Humphries is a guest performer on cruise ships and was one of the top Elvis impersonators at the Isle of Capri National finals in Biloxi, Miss.

"We are so excited to have this group coming to Gentry for this event," said Bev Saunders, executive director for the Gentry Chamber of Commerce. "We've been working on it for a while. They will join a growing list of entertainers, including Meagan White of Springdale, Kyla Horton of Marshall and the Turning Point Praise and Worship Team from Gentry. This is going to be a great day for our community and lots of fun," Saunders said.

"We'll have lots of other fun things happening as well, including a car show, wrestling exhibition, inflatables for the kids, sky divers, arts and craft booths, lots of food, co-ed softball tournament, free wagon rides, an antique tractor show, an incredible quilt show in the library and more. We hope everyone will plan to spend Oct. 10th in the Gentry Park," Saunders said.

News, Pages 7 on 09/16/2009