In its fourth year, the festival that gives back to charities keeps growing, organizers say
After signing the SummerFest’s first three headliners that tended toward harder rock and hair metal, festival organizers this year chose more of a pop rock, singer songwriter experience with Free Fallin’—The Tom Petty Concert Experience.
But organizers don’t think any of the top-of-your-lung sing-alongs that occurred at the past SummerFests will taper off. In fact, the crowd’s choruses just might grow louder at this year’s event.
“Who doesn’t love Tom Petty?” said Jonathan Dixon, who along with Greg Mullins and Brian Bishop—the Sons of Henderson—organize the event. “Everybody will know every song that is played and will be singing along.”
After Tom Petty’s 2017 death, Free Fallin’ went on tour in 2018, calling it the Broken Hearted Tour. The band did 90 shows in 15 states including playing at Tom Petty’s Birthday Bash in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida. There, the band played for more than 26,000 fans, said a release from SummerFest.
This year’s SummerFest, scheduled for May 17, will be the fourth iteration of an annual gathering that has grown each year.
“I’m overwhelmed with the support and attention this thing has received,” Mullins said in a SummerFest release. “It’s already surpassed what I had in mind in the beginning, and keeps getting bigger.”
But beyond the music—and more on that in a moment—the festival is free for attendees and raises money for one local charity each year. Groups and businesses can buy VIP tables that will be set up right in front of the stage for $1,000. There’s also a beer garden, which starts at 5 p.m. Attendees and supporters are also encouraged to donate via a link on the website at SummerFestKY.com.
After costs for the festival are paid, the remaining money goes to the charity. This year the charity is the Christian Community Outreach.
Additionally, organizers set aside space at the festival for other charities and nonprofits in the community to set up a table for informational purposes and to interact with festivalgoers. Dixon said about five or six nonprofits are scheduled to set up tables at this year’s event.
Food trucks and kids’ activities will also be included at the festival, which occurs at the intersection of Second and Water streets.
Before Free Fallin’ hits the stage, two other acts will warm up the audience. At 6 p.m., Paralandra, a high-energy rock band, will open the music for the night. This band began in 2013 when daughter and father combination, Casandra and Paul Carson, began writing songs together to play at a one-time charity event. It grew from there. The band has played at festivals such as Rocklahoma, SXSW, Rockfest, Dirtfest, Loud in Lima, according to SummerFest organizers.
After Paralandra, Ryan Cabrera, a platinum platinum-selling singer and songwriter who sang hits “On the Way Down,” “True” and “Shine On,” takes the stage. Cabrera gained a lot of notoriety in the 2000s and Dixon said organizers have already received text messages asking about the singer.
After Petty’s 2017 death, Free Fallin’ went on tour in 2018, calling it the Broken Hearted Tour. The band did 90 shows in 15 states including playing at Tom Petty’s Birthday Bash in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida. There, the band played for more than 26,000 fans, said the release.
Visit SummerFestKY.com for additional information and to sign up for the email newsletter. SummerFest updates, announcements, detailed schedules, maps, and more will all be sent directly to attendees via the newsletter, according to organizers.