Chingawassa celebrates a decade of festivals
New, traditional events planned
The countdown has begun for the 10th annual Chingawassa Days festival June 2-4.
Organizers have been busy planning for this year's milestone event and were excited to announce The Guess Who will perform as the feature act for the Saturday evening concert.
The classic rock group dominated top 40 radio in the late 1960s and '70s with such classic hits as "American Woman," "No Time," "No Sugar Tonight," "UnDun," "These Eyes," "Laughing," "Clap for the Wolfman," and many others.
A new website has been created, www.chingawassa.com with information about this year's festival, past festivals, and related links.
Buttons will go on sale April 15 for $20 which will admit festival-goers to the Friday night events (barbecue, Rhino Challenge finals, and Chingawassa Idol competition), Saturday events (watermelon feed, bingo, games, amusements, tournaments), and of course The Guess Who on Saturday night.
A $5 wristband can be purchased to enter the park between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Button prices will increase to $30 after May 26, and at the gate. Group purchases of 20 buttons or more can receive the buttons for $18 each.
Chingawassa Days Committee Chairman Mike Powers said many new and exciting events are being planned for this anniversary celebration.
"We are really excited to get The Guess Who, and have plans for a reunion of former Chingawassa Days committee members," he said.
The committee began making preparations last year for this year's event.
"We've prepaid for half of the cost of the stage and amusements," said Powers. This locks in the price for the stage at last year's price, and gives the festival first choice of specific amusements and activities.
"We 'broke even' last year despite some setbacks," Powers said.
The group had booked country legend Chris LeDoux as the featured Saturday evening performer.
A few short weeks before the festival, LeDoux died from complications of cancer. The producer who books the big-name talent for the festival scrambled and a deal was made with Restless Heart and Little Texas.
"And then we had monsoon rains which caused scheduling challenges," Powers recalled. Luckily, the rain didn't drown the festival and the committee was able to pull it off without losing money.
Fund-raising has begun from local and area businesses to offset costs for this year's event.
"We always have to watch our funds but we're in good shape coming into this year's festival," Powers said.
