Alva Review-Courier -

“It's going to be a big event,” Austin Graves said of the first-ever Southwest Country Fest that's happening at the Barber County Fairgrounds in Hardtner, Kansas, this Saturday. It's a rain or shine event.

“We're just tryin' to bring something fun to town for the people,” organizers Austin Graves and Kyle Jacobs said.

The fest will feature five live bands with headliner Casey Donahew, whom Graves describes as “one of the most popular Texas bands to date.” Their latest single is “Feels This Right.” Some of Donahew's other hits are “Stockyards” and “Double-Wide Dream.”

The four other bands to perform are J.B. and the Moonshine Band, an East Texas country band with the hit “No Better Than This;” Curtis Grimes, a Texas artist who was on “The Voice” during the 2011 season (fans will recognize his hit “Home to Me”); The Blue Water Highway Band, an up-and-coming popular Texas band who has the hit “Medicine Man;” and Kaitlin Butts from Oklahoma City who NewsOK says is “an artist to watch.”

With many food and beverage vendors, Graves and Jacobs hope people will come early and stay late. The main fairgrounds gates will open at 1 p.m. RV hook-ups are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Camping is also offered at the fairgrounds.

Graves said this is a “cash only event.” RV hookups with utilities are $100, campers are $25 and tents are $10.

The gates to the fairgrounds arena where the concert will be held opens at 4 p.m. The concert goes from 5 p.m. to midnight.

“Our slogan is `The fun begins where the pavement ends,'” Jacobs said.

Tickets and other details are available on their website, southwestcountryfest.com. You'll find details about VIP seating and more.

Tickets are also available at the gate.

Graves anticipates the event will bring about 2,000 people to Hardtner.

Don't forget your lawn chair to relax and enjoy the music.