[Henderson, KY] - The 3rd Annual SummerFest will occur on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in downtown Henderson, Kentucky. A FREE concert featuring SNAKE OIL-IKONS of ROCK, JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE (Acoustic Duo), and Lindsey James Williams will begin at 6:00 pm CDT. SummerFest activities start at 5:00 pm CDT at the intersection of Water and 2nd Streets and include a beer garden, vendor booths, activities for kids, and numerous local dining options.
Although there is no admission fee, SummerFest's mission is to raise awareness for local charities through entertainment events and bring the community together to support those charities. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Audubon Kids Zone. Attendees and supporters are encouraged to donate via a link on the website at SummerFestKY.com.
Jonathan Dixon, a co-founder of SummerFest, said, “Audubon Kids Zone has been an outstanding organization within our community for many years, and they do amazing work. We’re excited that this year’s event will benefit them.”
Dixon added, “We feel we have hit our groove with Summerfest this year. This year’s lineup promises to bring a bigger show as we continue to grow this event. If you are a diehard rock ‘n’ roll fan, you don’t want to miss this show. We have added a bigger VIP area and beer garden with an additional 10 VIP tables, making a total of 20 tables that can be purchased by organizations who want to help us with growing this event and giving the most impact to the charity we have chosen.”
Ten (10) Reserved Tables are available. The cost is $1,000 per table and includes eight (8) seats. Ten (10) VIP Reserved Tables are also available, including meet-and-greet and photo ops with the bands. VIP tables are $1,200 each. Please email bbishop@hendersonplanning.org if you’d like to purchase a reserved table.
Brian Bishop, a SummerFest co-founder, said, “I’m most excited That we are having a third year! After battling the elements in year one, I was concerned that we would not be able to get off the ground. Hopefully, the crowd continues to grow. We hope to grow the number of nonprofits helping highlight at the event. We aim to highlight Henderson’s worthwhile charities while having a great time supporting our local businesses.”
Greg Mullins, a co-founder of SummerFest, summarized, “We’re bringing Snake Oil back to headline again this year. If you were there last year, then you know. SNAKE OIL is a Rock Star tribute show on steroids - costumes, makeup, special effects, and more. Their show includes performances and songs from Ozzy, Led Zeppelin, Joan Jett, KISS, Journey, Queen, Rob Zombie, and many more. This year’s set will be different from last year’s, with some surprises you don't want to miss!”
Bishop added, “Plus, we’re bringing in Jack Russell’s Great White (Acoustic Duo)! Jack is a true rock legend. He is someone I grew up hearing on the radio and MTV. May 18, he’ll be right here in Henderson, Kentucky. Lindsey James Williams is a personal favorite. We’re thrilled that he will be with us this year.”
Mullins said, “I get more proud of the organization every year. I’m also excited about all these worthy programs having an opportunity to showcase what they stand for. I had to miss last year. So I’m going to have twice as much fun as everyone else this year.”
SummerFest is made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including First Federal Savings Bank, Fence Pros LLC, Robert John & Associates, Faupel Automotive Chevrolet GMC Group, River View Coal LLC, Bally’s Evansville, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, and 103GBF.
Under the IKONS of ROCK banner, SNAKE OIL is known for its impeccable ability to impersonate the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, and beyond... ROCK STARS musically and visually, with spectacular costumes, hilarious audience interaction, and incredible special effects. Masterful illusions and video support complement their over-the-top theatrics. Snake Oil has an outstanding cast of accomplished musicians and singers, both male and female, to ensure an authentic and energetic arena rock show experience. The audience is guaranteed a good time!
Portraying Kiss, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, Joan Jett, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Queen, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Blondie, Alice Cooper, Van Halen, Whitesnake, Pat Benatar, ACDC, The Scorpions, Rob Zombie, Lita Ford, Cher, Aerosmith, Evanescence and many more…Snake Oil has had the honor to share concert stages with The Beach Boys, Whitesnake, Starship, Cheap Trick, Night Ranger, Rick Springfield, The Guess Who, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Slaughter, Great White, Warrant, Bret Michaels, and many other notable groups. Both Dee Snider of Twisted Sister and Stephen Pearcy of Ratt have joined Snake Oil as special guests at past performances.
JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE represents the next phase of Jack Russell’s legacy. Rather than look backward and merely attempt to relive the multi-platinum Hard Rock entity’s storied origins, Jack Russell set his sights on the future. In December 2011, Jack Russell’s Great White first bared its teeth. Robby Lochner has been with Jack since its inception. The group has a sharp, soaring, eclectic, hook-laden new album ready, boasting the bluesy hard rock stomp that made Russell an icon in the first place.
“It’s a powerful band,” Russell proclaims. “The music is dynamic, and I’ve gone where I’ve never gone before. Lochner was a catalyst for moving forward. I wasn’t sure how the writing would go at first, but soon realized the chemistry is beyond words. He’s my copilot and one of my best friends.”
“We want the new material to blow people’s ears back,” Russell goes on. “It has the elements of the best of Great White, but there’s diversity, vibe, and an edge to it. It draws from our 60’s and 70’s roots in a more modern way.”
That integrity became forged over nearly thirty years. In 1984, the band broke out of the Los Angeles scene with its self-titled debut, followed by seismic platinum-selling outings such as 1987’s Once Bitten... and 1989’s …Twice Shy. Moving over 10 million copies worldwide, they stood out as tried-and-true rock stalwarts into the 21st century until 2011, when Russell formed Jack Russell’s Great White. Ultimately, the new music is for the millions of fans who stuck by Russell all these years. It’s everything they’ve been waiting for and more.
Lindsey James Williams is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and looping artist from Western Kentucky. His guitar and vocal abilities, coupled with live loop recording, transform his solo acoustic show into a multi-instrumental adult/folk-rock performance.
SummerFest is the vision of three friends and residents of Henderson, Kentucky: Jonathan Dixon, Brian Bishop, and Greg “Moon” Mullins. The group started working together about six years ago, establishing the annual Henderson Wiffleball Classic. Two years ago, the group formed the Sons of Henderson, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing local events that benefit local charities. SummerFest, the culmination of several years of work and planning, was established in 2022.
Please visit SummerFestKY.com for additional information and sign up for the email newsletter. SummerFest updates, announcements, detailed schedules, maps, and more will all be sent directly to attendees via the newsletter.
3rd Annual SummerFest
SNAKE OIL - IKONS OF ROCK
JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE
(Acoustic Duo)
&
Lindsey James Williams
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Downtown Henderson, Kentucky
5:00 pm: Beer Garden, Food Trucks, Vendors, Sponsor Booths, Kids’ Activities
6:00 pm: Concert Begins