This September will mark the second Ozark Mountain Gospel Festival to be held in Eureka Springs. Darry Lisemby, organizer of the event, stated, "We hope this festival will become a favorite of Gospel music fans from not only Arkansas, but throughout the United States. The Ozark Mt Gospel Festival is a wonderful time for family and friends to gather and enjoy historic Eureka Springs, the Ozarks, and G ospel music at its best!"

Darry stated, he and his family came to the Ozarks last year and fell in love with Eureka Springs’ uniqueness from day one. Along side Darry's ministry that travels worldwide, he and his family are ministering here in the Ozarks. Darry portrays the Apostle Peter in the broadway-style musical, The PROMISE, at Mansion America in Branson. He and his family are also involved with the cast at THE GREAT PASSION PLAY in Eureka Springs. Locals expressed to him a desire to have an all-day Gospel sing in Eureka Springs; and Darry states, he just got the ball rolling. A festival permit was approved by the city of Eureka Springs and then a committee team was formed to put things in action. Local and area merchants as well as individuals sponsor the Ozark Mountain Gospel Festival, an Arkansas non-profit corporation.

ALL-Day City-Wide Sing! The Ozark Mountain Gospel Festival will present a citywide All-Day Sing at designated venues throughout the city of Eureka Springs and will feature America's gospel groups singing southern, country, bluegrass, and Cajun Gospel music. This year, the festival will include night performances at the city Auditorium. Friday night, Sept 8th, 7:00pm, at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium will be special guest TOMMY CASH "Tribute to my brother, Johnny" and a Gospel Fest Concert. *And, Saturday, Sept 9th, 7:00pm, Gospel Fest Concert featuring America's gospel groups and Veterans’ Salute with special guests including JONATHAN MARTIN (Jonathan Martin has made many special guest appearances on Bill Gaither homecoming videos and concerts), City Auditorium. There will free admission to the Auditorium performances both Friday and Saturday nights with donations accepted. VIP tickets will be issued for sponsors of this year's festival. Promoter, Darry Lisemby, stated, "Hosting music city-wide provides a warm, welcome to our visitors. We want to provide high quality, family entertainment and activities here in Eureka Springs, and we want our guests not to have to worry about the expense involved for bringing the whole family."

Singing groups from far away as Nebraska will come to join approximately 20 gospel groups at this year’s Gospel Festival in Eureka Springs. The city-wide All-Day Gospel Music Sing will feature groups performing throughout the day on Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm, at the following locations: Basin Park in downtown Eureka Springs (with a break for the antique car parade), Gaskin Switch Village, Pine Mountain Village out-door theater, Kerusso’s Plaza, and two sites on the Great Passion Play grounds, Parker Law Firm next to First Baptist Penn Memorial downtown Eureka. and Road Dawg's Place on Hwy 62.

New Addition: This year’s event will also include a “Kid’s Praise Stage” on Saturday, Sept. 9th, at Kerusso’s Plaza on Passion Play Road. Kids ages 4-18 y/o are invited to participate. Each participant will be allowed to perform one gospel song each. Churches with children and youth choirs are also invited to participate and will be given a 15-minute time slot. "Kids Praise Stage" registration forms for individuals and church groups are available at Kerusso’s on Passion Play Road. There is no fee to participate. There are limited time slots available.

Darry stated, "Last year's Gospel Festival was a tremendous success and we look forward to continuing on!" Last year's festival, the first-ever gospel festival in the city’s history, boasted featuring 22 Gospel groups performing 13-hours of continuous Gospel music of various styles throughout the city of Eureka Springs. The local and area merchants of Eureka Springs sponsor this event. Businesses, churches, and individuals interested in helping to sponsor the Ozark Mountain Gospel Festival in Eureka Springs may call 479-244-6087. The public is invited attend. Enjoy great Gospel music at this year’s Ozark Mountain Gospel Festival in Eureka Springs, Friday & Saturday, September 10th. For more information call 479-244-6087 or visit www.darry.us.