Greencastle Music Fest returns to downtown Aug. 27-28

Monday, August 9, 2021

In a summer that’s seen the reopening of the city pool, the revival of the Fair Parade and the resumption of First Friday, perhaps the best example of our return to normalcy will come Aug. 27-28.

That’s when the annual Greencastle Music Festival -- forced into hiatus last summer by the pandemic -- takes its rightful place as the signature event of the summer.

Organizer Gail Smith, fresh from a meeting with the Board of Health, said she expects no restrictions for the event on the courthouse square, although it is suggested that spectators follow all CDC guidelines.

“If you’re sick, stay home,” Smith said simply. “If you have concerns, wear a mask.”

The 11th annual Greencastle Music Fest was canceled for 2020 as coronavirus conditions worsened and after the City Council had reluctantly voted only 4-3 to allow the street closures that routinely accompany the annual event.

“It was the responsible thing to do,” organizer Gail Smith reasoned of the cancellation at the time.

“With COVID and not being able to gather with people and enjoy live music, we missed that. I think as creatures, we can’t live without it,” she added.

The Greencastle Music Fest had been growing in popularity each summer until last year’s unfortunate turn of events.

“If you go back and look at how wonderful 2019 turned out,” Smith said, “with perfect weather, record crowds and pyrotechnics, it was a shame.

“It’s something everyone from all over looks forward to, and we work to make it better from year to year. And then to have the rug yanked out from under you ...”

The 2021 concert lineup will feature live music -- a mix of rock and country -- both Friday and Saturday nights with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Friday’s lineup includes the Woomblies Rock Orchestra and its classic rock genre from 6:30-8:30, followed by country singer Josh Paige, 8:30-11.

On Saturday, the Tommy Kelly Band will kick things off at 4 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by modern country singer Haley Mae Campbell before the ever-popular Louisville show-stoppers, The Crashers, take the stage at 8:30 p.m. to deliver rock and country covers.

“Having an event like this outside is such a positive thing,” Smith said as preparations continue for a gathering that has seen 3,000 to 4,000 attendees (based on the number of wrist bands handed out).

Admission is $10 per person this year with children under age 10 admitted free. Greencastle Masonic Lodge members will man the gates this year.

“I’ve tried to be very optimistic all year,” Smith said. “We’re trying to keep everybody safe and have some healthy fun and listen to music sponsored by some very great community businesses, without whom I couldn’t do it.”

Sponsoring the stage this year are York Automotive, DePauw University and the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau.

VIP sponsors include Putnam County Hospital, Prime Real Estate Group, Ruoff Mortgage, Flora Brothers Painting, Putnam Plastics, Tiger Pointe Country Club and Dave’s Heating and Cooling.

In addition to the music, Saturday will see a kids’ area, sponsored by First National Bank and Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry, open for games and activities from 3-7 p.m.

A cornhole tourney, sponsored by Dave’s Heating and Cooling, is also set for Saturday with registration (no pre-registration this year) set 3-5 p.m. and tournament action beginning at 5:30.

No dogs or animals are permitted at the event. An area will be set up to accommodate lawn chairs, Smith said.

For more information or to volunteer, reserve a table, sponsor or buy tickets, persons can go to greencastlemusicfest.com.

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  • Support your local musicians.

    -- Posted by PCnative64 on Wed, Aug 11, 2021, at 5:48 PM
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