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Fifth Greencastle Music Fest to rock two stages Saturday
What was conceived as a one-time-only day of music and fun in 2010 in celebration of Almost Home's 20th anniversary has grown into a continuing community event now known as the Greencastle Music Fest.
The fifth annual program, which for many has become the summertime centerpiece of the local music scene, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23 on the north and east sides of the courthouse square in Greencastle.
The 3-11 p.m. festival will again offer a broad mix of music playing out on the twin stages at opposite ends of the Franklin Street (north) side of the square.
The event has been rebranded by Gail Smith, owner of Almost Home and The Swizzle Stick, as the Greencastle Music Fest because of community interest in keeping it going and growing.
Local business people have continued approaching Smith each year, asking to be part of continuing the music fest. In fact, she is already busy planning for next year, which will mark the 25th anniversary of Almost Home.
"Then I'm done," she suggests, although it might not be smart to take that remark seriously.
In branding the event, Smith has stressed, "It's not Almost Home's music festival, it's Greencastle Music Fest.
"I'm more like the host now," she says, noting that the two music stages Saturday will be sponsored by York Family Automotive and First Financial Bank. "It's really not about me, it's about the community, and I'm really happy about that.
"It's gone over so well," Smith added, "and people have had such a great time, they want to be a part of it."
While spectators can digest all the music they want for free, food and drinks will be available for sale. Almost Home will be cooking outside, pairing with Myers' Market for items on the grill, Smith said
Meanwhile, the
restaurant and Swizzle Stick will be open inside as well. A beer garden is also planned by Almost Home.
The Putnam County Youth Soccer Association will offer various soccer games for kids from 3-9 p.m. on the square. The annual cornhole tournament, which offers cash prizes, is also on tap.
Smith has again been granted a noise waiver from the City of Greencastle to allow outdoor music until 11 p.m. Saturday. She also received approval for street closures on the east and north sides of the square.
The schedule of music acts for Saturday includes:
First Financial Bank stage:
-- 3-4 p.m., Music School of Rockology.
-- 5:30-6:15 p.m., Blues Side Up, featuring local musicians Steve St. Pierre and Jonathan January.
-- 8:15-9 p.m., Him & Her (Joel and Tosh Everson from War Radio).
York Family Automotive Stage:
-- 4-5:30 p.m., Greencastle native Mary Michael and Bubbles Brown.
-- 6:15-8:15 p.m. The Soul Engineers, a Terre Haute group offering a feel-good music vibe, featuring the Motown sound and '60s-'70s party music.
-- 9-11 p.m. Ellusion, a Terre Haute-based rock group that has frequented The Swizzle Stick stage and also played on First Friday earlier this summer.
After Ellusion finishes, the music will move inside The Swizzle Stick at 11 p.m. as the MacDaddy's, a popular band from Terre Haute, provides live music for an after-party in the bar until 2 a.m.