The Great American Brass Band Festival

2007 Festival Articles

The Great American Brass Band Festival is happening now and local businesses share what they anticipate during festival weekend. (Videographer Charlie Cox)

Downtown eateries hope to serve ‘second course’ to hungry, thirsty festival goers

By HERB BROCK
herb@amnews.com
and
BOBBIE CURD
bcurd@amnews.com

If you look at the Great American Brass Band Festival in gastronomical terms, you could say that the event provides a buffet of brass music that has something for just about everyone’s musical tastes.
But the owners and managers of downtown eateries hope that during breaks from sampling the main fare, festival goers will visit them for a second course at a smorgasbord of different restaurants. You can get a stomach full after you get an ear full, they say.
While they understand that the food booths at the festival are able to satisfy the food and beverage needs of a lot of festival goers, not to mention the picnic baskets they bring themselves, downtown restaurateurs say they offer good food and drink — and a cool place to enjoy them.
The downtown also offers food for the eye, as well. The Community Arts Center can serve up plenty of that.
There are a variety of eateries downtown, as well the arts center and also antique stores, gift shops, a jewelry store and a bridal shop. Here’s a sample platter of what the downtown offers festival goers, all within easy walking distance of the festival’s main venues at Weisiger Park and Centre College:

Burke’s Bakery & Delicatessen, 121 W. Main St., (859) 236-5661
For delectable eats, stop in to see Patty Burke, the town temptress of tasty sweet treats, behind the counter pushing her cream horns and chocolate delights to the public, always with a smile.
The bakery has been featured in Southern Living Magazine twice now, once for its famous salt-rising bread, the other for doughnut holes, something Burke says they can’t seem to keep in stock. “I expect to get orders for the bread during the festival,” says Burke. Regulars from out of town make yearly stops into the bakery to stock up.
Most people are surprised to hear gingerbread men also are best sellers.
“I can’t keep in them. We have women coming in and buying them up to mail them to their sons who’ve moved away for college,” Burke says.
Other popular sweets are her fondant drops, spice cups and her No. 1 sellers — glazed and chocolate doughnuts. Deli spreads are also made on site daily, such as tuna, chicken and pimento cheese salads.
If festival picnic patrons are interested in a large order, Burke requests they call the day before. “And I’m talking about 10 pounds or more. I sell the 1- and 2-pound containers all the time, but if they’re wiping me out I need to know ahead of time to make more.”

The Hub Coffee House and Cafe, 236 E. Main St., (859) 936-0001
If last year’s festival is any guide, owner Jim Davis expects to be busy.
“We had a lot of people from the festival come by for a meal or drink or to order, and we had several people call in orders,” Davis says, whose business was in its first year during the 2006 festival. “We’re counting on having a lot of customer traffic this festival.”
With 24-hour notice, picnic parties of six or more can order a box lunch from the coffee house and cafe, and owner Jim Davis says he’ll even throw in a blanket.
The price range for the “picnic packs” still is up in the air, Davis says, but box lunches can be either a sandwich or wrap, a side, cookie and drink. The pack also will include a cooler with ice and neon wristbands.
Davis says if any large groups are interested in catering, call in advance.
“We’re not afraid to tackle big or small, and we’ll have coffees to go,” says Davis.
Davis says serious eaters can consult their menu at www.the
hubcoffeehousencafe.com, and a separate catering menu will be listed.
The restaurant offers some three dozen coffees, espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, not chocolates and fruit drinks, more than a dozen kinds of sandwiches and more than a half dozens salads.
As an example of one of the Hub’s beverages, the Turtle Mocha Latte, one of the cafe’s most popular, is chocolate and caramel latte topped with whipped cream. Apricot or Kentucky Blend teas are also big sellers, as well as the Strawberry Stinger — said to be a powerful blend of strawberries and ice. Smoothies also include fruits such as Mango Madness and Wildberry Bomb.
The regular cafe breakfast foods, such as bagels, scones and muffins in daily selections can be picked from, as well as some meatier versions such as the “Begel,” with bacon, egg and cheese, or breakfast burritos served in herb garlic wraps, filled with salsa, eggs, pepper jack cheese and bell peppers.
For lunch, try the southwest chicken melt or a Titletown Turkey sandwich, with tomato, pesto and cream cheese on ciabatta bread. The grilled ham-n-cheese ciabatta is also a favorite selection.
Davis says for box lunch orders or catering, call the store at least a day in advance, or e-mail orders to jimd@qx.net.
The restaurant’s hours during the festival will be 6:30 a.m.-midnight Friday, 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors Ice Cream and Yogurt Shop, 464 W. Main St., (859) 236-4175
Manager Lejla Starcevic says the shop actually offers 32 flavors plus a variety of ice cream cakes ice cream pies, sundaes, floats and milkshakes.
“And we have tons and tons of different toppings for the ice creams and yogurts, plus people can choose from waffle cones and sugar cones,” she says.
Starcevic says the shop can count on being busy during the festival.
“The weather is always hot and that makes people eager for something cold and smooth to drink or eat, and we have plenty of that here,” she says.
The shop will be open from 10-11 p.m. Friday through Sunday; those are the same hours for the rest of the week as well.

Red Rooster Cafe, 118 E. Main St., (859) 236-2394
Manager Jessica Conder says the menu contains a variety of home-cooked meals and side orders but popular stands include lunch plate specials, meat loaf plates and monterrey jack country-fried steak, all priced at $4.98.
In addtion, specials are offered every day, she says. On Friday the special is a catfish buffet at $7.99, and diners can enjoy their catfish with a gospel singing group.
On Saturday and Sunday a breakfast buffet gets the spotlight, and it costs $5.99
“A lot of people from the festival, both performers and people attending it, come by our cafe,” Conder says. “We look forward to the festival, not only because we do get some business from it but we also enjoy it ourselves. It’s a great thing for Danville and for the downtown.”
The cafe’s hours during the festival will be 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Ace Billiards, 303 W. Main St. (859) 236-9837
Joe Latimer, owner, says they have good luck during the festival weekend.
“We usually close at, like 3, or so on Saturdays, but we’ll stick around a little later for the brass band,” he says.
Patronage depends on the weather, he says. “If it rains, they’ll be in here playing a game or two. There’s really no place else to rack’em up around here,” Latimer said.
No pre-planning is done for the weekend specials, Latimer says. A sign will be posted outside with the specials and prices.
Patrons can feast on an Ace Burger with a side of homemade, fried potato chips, French fries or onion rings. The ribeye and pork tenderloin sandwiches are also big hits.
“People can stop in, come and sit down to have a good, old-fashioned, pool-hall meal. That’s about it!” Latimer says.

Little Caesar’s Pizza, 475 W. Main St., (859) 236-1122
No eater is closer to the festival main stage at Centre College than Little Caesar’s, and general manager Jerry Whitaker says his shop takes advantage of the close proximity.
“We’re just across the street (Main) from the festival and we get a lot of business from people attending,” he says. “It’s the middle of June and it usually hot, so that makes people thirsty but also hungry.”
Popular orders include all kinds of pizzas, starting with the basic pepperoni and cheese plus a single topping at $5 a pizza and also $8 supreme and veggie pizzas, and also wings and cheesebreads. “We also sell a lot of soft drinks. Sometimes that’s all people want,” says Whitaker.
The shop’s hours will be 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Freddie’s Restaurant, 126 S. Fourth St., (859) 236-9884
A mainstay in Danville, Freddie’s also offers alcoholic beverages to complement the Italian fare. Beer, wine and select spirits are offered.
Whether you choose a Stromboli or meatball sandwich, or go for the heavier dinner items such as spaghetti with meatballs or hearty lasagna, this restaurant has a cozy environment just a block away from Main Street. Vegetarian items are available, such as the spinach ravioli, and a salad with the famous Freddie’s house dressing — sure to be different from anything ever had in an Italian chain restaurant.

Other places that serve alcohol:
Winner’s Circle Lounge, located inside of the Pizza Hut restaurant, Reno’s Roadhouse, O’Charley’s are all on Hustonville Road and offer beer, wine, and various spirits along with their food. Reno’s also serves up some karaoke offerings on the weekends.
Guadalajara Mexican, Beef O’Brady’s, Applebee’s and Woody’s restaurants, all on the Danville bypass, serve alcohol.

Other eateries:
Melton’s Deli, 247 E. Main St., across from the post office, normally not open over weekends, but will take box lunch orders if placed at least a day in advance. Known for “The Club” sandwich. Call (859) 236-9874 to order.
Fourth Street Deli, 464 S. Fourth St., will be open during the day on Friday, but is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Fast food meals:
Papa John’s, Subway and Domino’s also are near festival happenings.

Other interests:
The Community Arts Center, 401 W. Main St., (859) 236-4054
A good match for good music is good art and there is plenty of that at the center. Located in a 1911 beaux arts style building that originally was a post office, the center includes an exhibit hall, classrooms, kitchen and gift shops. In addition, space also is rented for music and art lessons, jam sessions, open painting and drawing group sessions, and meetings and private events.
According to center director Brandon Long, the exhibits that will be on display during the festival include water colors by Wayne Daugherty, glass by Lauren Arnold, oil and charcoal by Ashley Crase and oil paintings by Marlene Hannah.
The center will be the site for unveiling of the 2007 festival poster. The poster’s designer and artist, local public relations executive John Dixon, will be on hand to sign copies.
The center’s regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 10-3 p.m. Saturday. But Long said the center may extend the hours both days to accommodate festival goers.

Historic homes
If you have a hankering for a side of history with your bands, you’ve come to the right area.
Along Maple, you’ll see Twin Hollies, 406 Maple Ave. It was built around 1839 by Robert Russell Jr., and was the home of Fontaine T. Fox, whose grandson Fontaine Fox III became nationally known for his “Toonerville Trolley Cartoons” in the last half of the 19th century.
Main Street also features several historical homes, as well as Constitution Square, where the Supreme Court of the District of Kentucky and the Constitutional Conventions that led to Kentucky’s statehood were housed. Near the park, you can shop at the Museum Store, housed with crafts from Danville and Kentucky. In Constitution Square are Gallery on the Square and the Wilderness Trace Art League for those interested in the visual arts. For more information about Constitution Square, call (859) 236-7794.
Across from the square is the McDowell House at 125 S. Second St. Dr. Ephraim McDowell performed a famous ovariotomy without anesthesia on Jane Todd Crawford on Dec. 25, 1809.
For a more complete listing of historical places, a brochure titled “Historic Walking and Driving Tour” can be picked up at the Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau, at Grayson Tavern, 105 E. Walnut St. Or call (859) 236-7794 or (800) 755-0076 outside Boyle County.

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