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Crashers back for Aug. 27: 7th annual music fest set
When Gail Smith went before the City Council to request permission to close streets for her seventh annual Greencastle Music Fest, Councilman Dave Murray had one question.
"Are the Louisville Crashers coming back?" the councilman asked Smith.
She assured him The Crashers -- acknowledged as one of the most energetic party bands around -- would headline the Aug. 27 Music Fest for the second straight year.
That's all Murray needed to know about the free downtown event that has become a summertime staple in Greencastle.
Motion for street closure made, seconded and passed.
"Just to have the Louisville Crashers back," Smith, owner of Almost Home and The Swizzle Stick, suggested, "is a huge plus."
In fact, it almost guarantees a good time based on their 2015 show and the audience's response.
The Louisville Crashers can boast TV appearances with David Letterman, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, while touring worldwide and sharing the stage with the likes of Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Aerosmith and Luke Bryan.
But the Crashers aren't the only band performing Aug. 27 when the 3-11 p.m. Music Fest unfolds on the north and east sides of the courthouse square -- on a real lighted stage at the corner of Franklin and Indiana streets this year.
"You know I always like to elevate it just a little bit," Smith said of the Music Fest.
So this year instead of borrowing flat-bed trailers from DePauw University to create her stage, Smith and her sponsors "sprang for a big stage with a roof and lighting ... We really want to make it a good show."
First up on that stage will be Ellusion, a popular regional cover band from Terre Haute that has played First Friday and in The Swizzle on several occasions. Ellusion will kick off the music portion of the event at 4 p.m.
Playing blues, funk, rock, pop and alternative music, Ellusion regularly performs in Indianapolis, Louisville, Chicago, St. Louis and everywhere in between.
Also set for the outdoor stage is War Radio. A First Friday fixture in The Swizzle after the monthly outdoor event ends, War Radio will perform its Tribute to Motown at the Music Fest.
The event, which last year served as a major bash for Almost Home's 25th anniversary, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dave's Heating and Cooling. Owner Dave Corbin will help introduce acts and the program.
Smith said the Music Fest wouldn't be possible without the backing of such other sponsors as Dave's Heating and Cooling, stage sponsor York Automotive, First National Bank, DePauw University, the National Center for College Costs (Dave and Sue Murray), Headley Hardware, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry, Putnam Plastics, Identity Salem, Re/Max Cornerstone Realty, Gary and Susan Lemon, Putnam County Tourism and Visitor Bureau, U.S. Foods and the event hotel, the Inn at DePauw.
Not only is there an expense for the bands and the stage, but Smith notes that the big crowd necessitates things like renting many more tables and chairs than are usually available at First Friday.
"People have been so generous and forthcoming," Smith said, adding that sponsorship opportunities are still available. "I want it (the concert) to be free, I think that's important. And because of the sponsors we have, we're able to do that."
While the focus will be on music Aug. 27, the event will also provide fun and games and food as well.
An area featuring kids' games and activities will open at 3 p.m. and continue until dusk.
An adult cornhole tournament is set for 3-5 p.m. with Corbin organizing that effort. Registration is $20 per team with cash prizes to be won. Teams can register Aug. 27 or pre-register by calling 653-7346.
Three beer gardens will be set up around the event, while Mary Anne Birt and her Area 30 Career Center culinary arts class will help with the food and food sales.
When the music ends outside at 11 p.m., the fun isn't done, however. Philip Stevens and the Open Road Show will play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in The Swizzle Stick.
For more information about the event, persons may visit the Greencastle Music Fest Facebook Page.