KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Bryant looking for Bryant Family Fest replacement

By Matt Johnson

BRYANT – The Bryant City Council is trying to find a replacement for Bryant Family Fest, after the popular summertime event's organizers say they were forced out of town.

On Monday the council re-allocated $20,000 that would have gone toward Bryant Family Fest. It was moved to the Public Works department budget and will be finalized with a vote at the regular City Council meeting on Thursday.

After weeks of threatening to move, Bryant Family Fest organizers announced their intentions to move to Benton because of turmoil within the city council.

Meanwhile, organizer James Ballew has no plans on bringing his event back to his hometown.

His supporters say the City Council ran him out of town after alleging he allowed alcohol into the premises and that he also misused city money.

The Fourth of July celebration attracts up to 30 thousand people to Saline County, which is a dry county.

Now Ballew is excited to take his act to Benton where it will now be known as Benton Freedom Fest.

He also has some advice for the Bryant City Council before he fears they will run away more businesses.

"It's time for Bryant to come together like I know they can," said Ballew. "They've got a good leader in Mayor Dabbs and they've got some good city council people, they've just got to come together and keep on the right path the way they used to be.>

Alderwoman Brenda Miller is looking at tightening regulations to make sure alcohol is not allowed into what will eventually replace Bryant Family Fest. The alcohol allegations are something Ballew has denied repeatedly.