News Release

2018 Put-in-Bay Music Festival's Eclectic Line-up of Music Celebrates the Sounds of America

News Release Date: March 26, 2018

Contact: Barbara Fearon, 419-285-2184 extension 1225

Put-in-Bay, Ohio – The Put-in-Bay Music Festival is bringing a new flavor of "Americana" music to the stage for the second annual event on Saturday, June 9. Continuing the long tradition of celebrating peace through music Groovement, Low Down Brass Band, Hillbilly Casino, Swingmania and the Reese Daily Band will rock the stage at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. Beloved island performer Bob Gatewood will serve as Master of Ceremonies.   

"We are so excited to continue this great event at the National Park," said Superintendent Barbara Fearon. "We are fortunate to have fantastic partners and volunteers working with us to make this an event that will be fun for the entire family."
 
Musical performances will include:

• Groovement is a 6-piece, high-energy funk-rock band from Fayetteville, Arkansas that are known for getting the crowd up and dancing.
• The Low Down Brass Band mixes East Coast hip-hop with rock and reggae.
• Hillbilly Casino, based in Nashville, Tennessee, blends elements of honkytonk, rockabilly, psychobilly and rock and roll in their music. The band has self-produced three CDs and a book has been written about them and their music.
• South Bass islanders are well acquainted with both Swingmania and The Reese Dailey Band. Swingmania is a Toledo, Ohio multi-piece swing band celebrating the big band sounds of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman and many more. The band has played at several island charity events and fundraisers.
• The Reese Dailey Band, hailing from the Cleveland area, has strong ties to Put-in-Bay and has played their bluesy, southern rock at several island venues over the years. It's front man Reese Dailey is the oldest son of Put-in-Bay's beloved Pat Dailey, considered the grandfather of the island music scene.
   

On June 9, the park will open at 10am with food and beverage sales beginning at 11am. Musical performances will start at 1pm with the last band finishing around 7pm.  
 
The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society will operate the festival's Beverage Center again this year with the bulk of the proceeds benefiting the historical society museum, a non-profit 501c3. Personal coolers are not permitted on park property during this event.

The 2018 Put-in-Bay Music Festival will include a craft area where kids can make a variety of musical instruments and music workshops where all ages can learn how to play the ukulele and basic drumming. Many games will be available for free play throughout the day including Guitar Hero, corn toss, and large scale lawn games such as checkers. Festivities will also include a living history area where you can learn more about the War of 1812 and what it might have been like during the Battle of Lake Erie.
 
The music festival and related events are free. There is a cost for food and beverages and entrance to the memorial's observation deck.
 
Superintendent Fearon said this year's music festival will be special because Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial's plaza, rotunda and observation deck will be open after a $2.4 million renovation in 2017. "Visitors will certainly get a unique perspective of the festival from the observation deck 317 feet above the lake," she added.

Miller Boat Line is again the Put-in-Bay Music Festival's lead sponsor. Go to Miller Boat Line's website, millerferry.com, to check their schedule and start planning your visit. Information about Put-in-Bay, including lodging, dining and live entertainment can be found at the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce website, visitputinbay.com. The chamber operates Put-In-Bay's official information website that is supported by the island business community.
The park encourages festival goers to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Limited seating will be provided, but there are tables and chairs inside the Beverage Center as well as surrounding the tent.
 
Many who attended the 2017 Put-in-Bay Music Festival said they planned a weekend visit so they could also enjoy the many entertainment venues in Put-in-Bay's Downtown District. Check the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce website for links to schedules.

All entertainment has been booked for the 2018 Put-in-Bay Music Festival. If you are interested in playing in 2019, please send a demo, band bio, website link, etc. to [e-mail]. We're already collecting information and planning the 2019 festival so don't wait if you're interested in getting involved.


Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial has a long standing tradition of promoting the lessons of international peace through music and has hosted many musical events, including both the Toledo and Central Ohio symphonies, the Twilight Concert Series in conjunction with the Put-in-Bay Arts Council, and drumming, dance and other workshops for park visitors.

The Put-in-Bay Music Festival as all programs at the park is free and open to the public. Food, beverages, souvenirs and other amenities require a fee.