Brass Band Festival to feature patriotic theme
When the 14th annual Great American
Brass Band Festival kicks off this year, there will be much flag-waving. This
year's festival will have a patriotic theme -- "Coming Home to
Freedom," tying into Flag Day, June 14.
People throughout the community will be encouraged to display the flag that
weekend, as well as yellow ribbons symbolizing the safe return of U.S. troops
currently deployed abroad. The theme will be reflected in the poster and T-shirt
design. The design is by James Fausz of The Idea Farm, which is handling
publicity for the festival.
The official dates for the festival are June 14 and
15. Related events will begin happening as early as June 12, such as The Heart
of Danville Antique and Garden Show. The Chautauqua Tea will move to June 13, a
Friday. In the past, it occurred on a Thursday. The Great American Balloon Race
also is scheduled for June 13.
Two new bands are in this year's lineup -- the U.S. Coast Guard Band and the
Mississauga Temple Band, a Salvation Army Band from Ontario, Canada.
The preliminary line-up includes the following artists:
Advocate Brass Band -- Danville; Circle City Sidewalk Stompers -- Indianapolis;
Danville Pipe Band -- Danville; Dixie Power Trio -- Fredericksburg, Va.; 8th
Regiment Band -- Rome, Ga.; Euphoria -- Cookeville, Tenn.; The Hellcats -- U.S.
Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; Scott Kirby -- New Orleans; Lexington Brass
Band -- Lexington; Main Street Brass -- Cynthiana; Olde Towne Brass --
Huntsville, Ala.; Olympia Brass Band -- New Orleans, La.; Triangle Youth Band --
Raleigh N.C.; 257th Army Band -- Washington, D.C.; and Village Brass Band --
Columbus, Ohio.
"Band Buddies" is a new
program this year
A new program this year for the festival is "Band Buddies" -- people
in the community who are volunteering to be a band's local liaison. Band Buddies
help bands feel welcome in Danville and are available to escort them throughout
the weekend. The GABBF Committee is lining up individuals and families who would
like to be Band Buddies. Volunteers can contact Katie Jo Kirkpatrick at (859)
236-1118.
The Danville Antique and Garden Show kicks off June 12 with a Gala Preview Party
from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for singles and $60 for couples and include
run-of-show admission. For reservations, contact (859) 236-1909. The show is
also open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $5.
The traditional Chautauqua Tea will be held June 13, with tea times at 3 p.m.
and 5 p.m and a performance at 4 p.m. by Olde Towne Brass of Huntsville, Ala.
They are a Civil War band and perform with historic instruments as well as
performing music with a geographic and historical connection to Kentucky. The
event is hosted by The Tea Leaf at 230 W. Broadway. Tickets are $15 and
reservations can be made at (859) 236-7456.
The Great American Balloon Race will be held June 13 at Stuart Powell Field at
the Danville/Boyle County Airport. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the festivities
include lively brass band music. Balloons take to the sky after 7 p.m. The
rain/wind date is Sunday evening, same time and location. The event is sponsored
by Hometown Radio.
On the morning of June 14, the music begins at 9 a.m. on three stages and lasts
into the evening. At 11 a.m., there will be a New Orleans-Style Parade down Main
Street. As they do traditionally, spectators are invited to march to the Centre
College Main Stage at the conclusion of the parade.
Posters, T-shirts, pins and other souvenirs, including a coffee specially
packaged for the festival, are available at the Festival Marketplace.
Collectors' copies of posters, T-shirts and pins from all 13 previous festivals
also will be available this year.
The Great American Picnic will be held June 14 starting at 6 p.m. To add to the
lively event, the festivities will conclude with a fireworks display after dark.
On Sunday, the festival begins with an ecumenical worship service at 9:30 a.m.
hosted by Danville area churches. Featuring inspirational brass band music, the
event takes place on lawn at Centre College.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15, the music continues at the Centre College Main
Stage.
This story ran in the Advocate on May 4.