Back 2 Back: Upcoming Annual Summer Band Bash Now A Two Day Affair

With many people in the community disappointed that for the second year in a row due to COVID, The Ellwood City Festival has been cancelled, the community now can look forward to another fun upcoming event.

The Ellwood City Summer Band Bash, a two-day event, will take place at Robert E. Rodgers Memorial Park in Ellport on June 18th and 19th. This event will be a live music festival where people from the community are invited to hear great music, have amazing food and drinks and possibly win 50/50 raffles and free prize giveaways. Admission on Friday is $8.00 and admission on Saturday is $10.00. A two-day pass is only $15.00 to enjoy the music all weekend.

Eric Rayner, event coordinator and chairman of the EC Fireworks Committee, who has been able to save the Fourth of July fireworks for the community, answered some questions we had about the event what people going can expect.

How long have you been involved with music?

Rayner: I wouldn’t say I’m really involved in music. I’m a fan of music. I’ve never really been talented musically, I’m a terrible singer, and I can’t play any instruments. But I love music. And always appreciated the talent in musicians of all genres. As far as the band bash, this is our 3rd one. We did the winter band bash in 2019 in February at Koehler brewery right before the pandemic hit. We did the fall band bash last year. And this year we are doing the summer band bash

What inspired you to do this event?

Rayner: This all started with me raising money for the fireworks when they were canceled due to financial reasons and disagreements. I knew year after year we weren’t gonna get a pile of donations so I wanted to come up with community events that would raise the money while also adding something new and unique. One day when I was cleaning my house I was listening to “The Middle Room” and had this idea. We don’t really have a strong live music presents in Ellwood, and we don’t have a big live music event. So that’s the reason I came up with the band bash. Raylene Boots, a teacher at Riverside High School, helps a great deal in putting the event together.

What can people expect to see at this event?

Rayner: There is an incredible two day line up of bands! There’s something for everyone! It is something different than past events in the park and is set up like a lot of other music festivals. Several great food vendors, Beer, 50/50 raffles, free prize give always between each act based on Ellwood City trivia sponsored by the Ellwood City Area Historical Society. T-shirts for sale from Venezies Sporting Goods. And more!

What groups do you think most people are looking forward to?

Rayner: Honestly I’m looking forward to them all! A few of them I haven’t heard yet, a few are returning from last years event, and a few are new additions that I’ve heard play other events. Our 2 headliners are incredible! Friday nights headliner is “Stationary Pebbles”. They are a reggae rock style band that plays all over. They headlined our first event at Koehlers and where a huge fan favorite. Saturday nights headliner is “Bobby Thompson & The Groove” and incredibly popular up and coming band from Beaver County that puts on and absolutely incredible show. I’m also looking forward to PJ Rillow & The Western Spirit. Those guys are always super fun to watch. And returning this year we also have KELLER, they travel all the way from West Virginia to come play. They’ve shared the stage with some big acts including Scott Stapp, the lead singer of Creed, Art of Anarchy, formed from members of creed, disturbed, and guns & roses, Bumblefoot , guns and Roses, and Puddle of Mud. But again, I’m super excited for the entire lineup!

Lastly, do you have a favorite that will be performing?

Rayner: Funny thing is my personal favorite is The Middle Room who headlined for us last year, they were scheduled to play again this year but we changed the date of the event during our planning process and it didn’t work out. So we are actually doing a Live Stream event with the Middle Room, a “pre party” for the band bash essentially, where I’ll be interviewing them in a podcast type fashion and they’ll be playing a live set and also showing behind the scenes footage of their time in the studio recording their new album. That goes down on June 4th at 6:45 pm LIVE on The Middle Room Facebook page. There is an event created for it on Facebook. Be sure to hit “going” so your notified when the stream goes live!

This event will take place on Friday June 18th and Saturday June 19th. The gates on Friday will open up at 3:30 p.m. and he gates on Saturday will open up at 11:30 a.m. Friday admission will cost $8 and Saturday will cost $10 but you are able to get a two day wristband for $15.

Koehler Brewery will provide beer, Pappy Ricks Kettle Corn will sell kettle corn, Ellwood City Little Wolverines will be selling baked goods, deep fried oreos, refreshments and more. Ellwood Rotary Club will be selling sandwiches, hot dogs and root beer floats. The Lions Club of Ellwood will also be selling their world famous “Lion Tails” (French frys).

The line up for the event is as follows:

June 18:

4 p.m. Brian Hudson

5:30 p.m. Rover

7 p.m. Swamp Junk

8:30 p.m. Stationary Pebbles (headliner)

June 19:

Noon — Brian Hudson

1:30 p.m. The Wait

3 p.m. Hi-Jacked

4:30 p.m. KELLER

6 p.m. Just Playn Nasty