Music festival planned to replace golf events

Two major golf tournaments in the River Valley will not happen in 2011. The Fort Smith Classic and the Celebrity Classic no longer exist. Both events raise thousands of dollars for local charities. Organizers plan to host a music festival instead, according to this report from KFSM 5 News.

"It was the perfect storm. It all hit at once," said Philip Merry, event organizer.

Merry, who also is a member of the Fort Smith Board of Directors, helped plan the Fort Smith Classic. He says this year it came down to money. They didn’t have enough funding and couldn’t find a major sponsor.

"You can’t lay off, you can’t freeze wages and write a six figure check in a small town like this for a golf tournament," said Merry.

Organizers also cancelled the Celebrity Classic. Merry blames that decision on a lack of funding as well.

Local charities admit the decision to cancel the tournaments could have a big impact.

"It’s huge for us because I know we’ve got 15 wishes waiting in this area right now, and at an average of $5,000 a piece. That’s a lot," said Glee Cosner, a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Organizers estimate in 2010 the two classics combined gave more than $200,000 to local charities. They hope to give even more money in 2011, but through a different event. Planners are already working on a music festival that would ideally attract tourists from all over.

"It’ll happen, and it’ll be bigger and better. Fort Smith will escalate and it’ll be a great thing," said Merry.

Planners hope to have the music festival in September or early October. Organizers expect the music festival to last for an entire week. They hope to bring in big shows and artists. Merry says volunteers with the Fort Smith Classic and the Celebrity Classic are teaming up to put on the music festival. They hope to raise more than double with the new event.