Last weekend the 2013 Beatles at the Ridge Music Festival kicked off on Friday night. Despite the slight showers, attendance was good for the music line-up with performances by Lauren Richmond and Calamity, Fallen Within, and Government Radio Factory. Author Jude Southerland Kessler gave a presentation on the life of John Lennon at The Venue which included rare photo’s of the Beatles.

Saturdays festivities began at 9:00 am. Street vendors lined the streets near Abbey Road with crafts, food, and information.

The many thousands of festival attendees stopped by Guitar Walk and Beatles Park to have their photo made doing the “Beatle Walk”.

Local dance and clogging groups performed during the festival, The Compassionate Friends group released balloons,  the annual Duck Calling contest, games, ATOD Coalition of Lawrence County handed out information and freebies to the kids, Performer Danny Donuts traveled up and down the parade route with his Yellow Submarine, a pet costume contest, inflatable bounce houses, the Nuttin’ But Talent talent show, and a performance by Ringer Star.

The music stage acts included Bucksnort Hill, 2 Mule Plow, JR Rogers and the All Stars, Stan Perkins and the Pacers, Sonny Burgess, Stunning Cunning, and Beatles Tribute Band, BritBeat perform many of the top Beatles hits.

Plans are already in the works for Beatles at the Ridge 2014 on the third weekend of September. 2014 will  mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles visit to Walnut Ridge.

View the Photo Slideshow of Beatles at the Ridge 2013~!