Now Mrs. ShaggyDawg has something to say: The Ballew family has spent more time volunteering for the City of Bryant than most of the council members have spent being paid for tearing down the city. They do this out of love for the city and because they are good people. I can't believe the council is going to be allowed to undo all of their years of good work and commitment over one can of beer. The citizens of Bryant need to stand up and support the Ballew family at the council meeting on the 26th and make sure that the Ballew family is allowed to continue to put on Bryant Familyfest for the citizens of Bryant in spite of the wicked council members who are trying to use one can of beer to lynch the mayor and James Ballew and other wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to building up the city of Bryant instead of tearing it down! I hope I will see you all there. I will be there to support them and I hope that the rest of Bryant shows up to take their city back!

This is one of the most ridiculous topics the City Council could possibly discuss. I hope the City Council can recall what they've came up with- a PHOTO of ONE beer can. No one is walking around intoxicated! My family and I have attended Family Fest for 10 years. It will be truly disappointing to have the opportunity taken away to celebrate the 4th at the Family Fest. It's ridiculous to think a photo of one beer can can tarnish the reputation of the festival. It has always maintained a very family friendly atmosphere. It has provided people the chance to celebrate the 4th in a big way without driving to Little Rock. The music acts are always awesome and tasteful, and something my entire family looks forward to.. something the city of Bryant looks forward to. I sincerely hope POLITICS aren't allowed to deprive Bryant of such a GOOD thing.

I've been to every Family Fest since Mr. Ballew started 13 years ago and every year it gets better. This is what keeps my family in Bryant on the 4th instead of going to Little Rock where people are walking around with beer and more. This has alway been a family event and we have alway enjoyed the entertainment. Oh yeah, remember the morning Sunday Seervice? Mr. Ballew cares for his city and the people that live there. These people have a problem with the mayor and going to shut down the best event Bryant offers over a can of beer. Let the mayor do her job and you people need to retire.

ya know what...these comments are never gonna make it to those idiots holding up progress they will go right back to their self entitled cocoon and will not care about what the people want

heres something funny...no really tragic...you never heard about Bryant at all till this last election...something to think about...i believe what Shaggy dawg has to say about it...there are 2 or 3 people that are PO'ed about the last election...and are waging a "Democrat/Clinton style scorched earth war" against Mayor Dabbs or anything she might support...get over yourselves...you boones and bishops may have done a fine job in your day...however...let the Mayor do her job now

to finish previous thoughts............(family) show" . I can't believe the Bryant Parks people complaining, especialy considering they must have done quite well finacially last year since they charged $5.00 a car for parking....in a park paid for by taxpayers money. Talk about double taxation !! I would like to close by saying that out of all the Bryant Family Festivals I have attended over the years, I have not once seen anyone under the influence, drinking on stage OR in public, being rude to a patron or anything else that warrants such attacks on the mayor, Mr. Ballew, or the Festival itself. If things continue as they are, I hope Mr. Ballew takes his Festival on the road to Benton. I bet they appreciate community minded people such as him and provide him a much friendlier venue and reception.

The two or three people on the City Council that cannot get past the fact that their friend did not get re-elected as mayor need to stop digging at the current mayor, anyone who calls her a friend or anything she supports. He lost, she won, get over it and give her a fair chance to do her job. Yes, people within the city government have recently been replaced, it happens eveytime a new mayor, governor, president, etc. take office and I dare say Mr. Mitchell did the same thing when he first took office. As for the lady on the parks commission who envisions "kids races", she needs to step out of her Tom Sawyer world and face reality. While going back to a much simpler and slower way of life may be a good thing in some instances, it just isn't going to happen. The days of "Kick the Can" are long gone. The youth of today want a more exciting, visual, and faster pace form of entertainment. In fact, Mr. Ballew gave them some of that last year with the BMX Bike Riders. To the gentleman that made the comment re "If you can't have a festival without alcohol then you don't need festival", or something close to that, I say, Yes, you can have a festival without alcohol but at the same time you will add another check mark in the national column known as "Backward's Arkansas". Dry county or not, there is nothing wrong or immoral with a glass of wine or beer being served in the confines of the hospitalty house to a band with a national following. I wonder how many on the city council or parks commission have now or ever had alcohol in their homes but feel it is perfectly ok to transport. liquor across the county line. Shouldn't have it both ways you Harper Valley imitators. Shame on you ! Having spoken with Mr. Ballew on more than one occassion I can truthfully say he is a very humble, honest person who cares deeply about the city of Bryant and has gone to extremes to do something positive for the city, something I don't recall anyone else ever doing, not as a "one man

Can't show a BEER in bryant, But you can buy cigarettes and pornography at the local stop and rob! what a farce ! I'd pay to see all those holier than thou's get soaking wet trying to walk across the waters...........

OMG! Bryant have much more serious issues than this one to debate. I live just down from the park and I don't have an issue with the performing artists having an alcoholic drink during their meal, before show or after show. I would have a problem if the drinking was in excess and the person's actions were inappropriate. But behind closed doors and not visible to the public at the park. I just don't see the problem. PLEASE..do you actually think the person with the Sprite, Mountain Dew or Coke container is actually drinking that product. NO! I see many people going back and forth to their vehicles to refresh their "sodas". I don't even have a problem with that until their actions are inappropriate and disruptive. Why don't we pay more attention to the actual crimes we have in Bryant. If the live acts are axed from the Family Fest, the turn~out would be minimal at best!

Just think. The first miracle was the turning of water to wine. Are some setting up as better than Jesus. A beer. My God the world is going to the devil in a hand basket. My family sees a lot worse on TV. Yes yes lets get out and protest and end the production of TV's. People get a grip. Just an other show of self-righteous behavior.