‘Memories of a Lifetime’ Project Seeks Submissions from Dyess Colony Residents
JONESBORO – As part of the Johnny Cash Heritage Festival scheduled for Oct. 19-21 in Dyess, organizers are seeking submissions from people who were part of the Dyess Colony for the new “Memories of a Lifetime” project.
The “Memories of a Lifetime” project will be a collection of videotaped interviews, photos and documents related to the colony. During the Johnny Cash Heritage Festival, photos and documents will be scanned and interviews will be videotaped from noon until 5 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 19, and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, on the second floor of the Dyess Administration Building.
“The interviews will be an informal and enjoyable experience,” said Dr. Ruth Hawkins, executive director of the Arkansas State University Heritage Sites. “We are looking for people who lived in the colony between the time it was established in 1934 and when it was incorporated into a town in 1964. For those who can’t make it to the festival, we can schedule an interview when you are available.”
Scanned documents and photos will be returned to the owner immediately. Those sitting for interview sessions will have the opportunity to review a transcript of the interview before it is placed in the archives.
Anyone interested in being interviewed for the project may contact Hawkins at 870-972-2803 or by email at rhawkins@AState.edu.
In addition to the “Memories of a Lifetime” project, the Johnny Cash Heritage Festival also will include a paid concert in the field adjacent to the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, a symposium from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning in the Dyess Colony Circle, regional music in the Colony Circle on Thursday and Friday nights, and food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and demonstrations throughout the three days.
All Johnny Cash Heritage Festival events leading up to the field concert are free. Along with performances by Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash at the Saturday concert, Northeast Arkansas native Buddy Jewell will open the concert at 12:15 p.m., followed by Joanne and Tommy Cash at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now and available online at AState.edu/tickets, or at the Convocation Center Box Office on the A-State campus (lower red entrance), or by calling 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000. Reserved seating at the $100 and $50 level is sold out, but $25 general admission tickets remain on sale.
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