(MENDON, Ohio) Organizers of Tabfest 2008 hope to raise more money than ever for local charities this year, continuing the event’s tradition of sharing great music for a good cause. The 11th annual event will feature local, regional and national acts performing rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, funk, jam and a variety of other musical styles.
This year’s event will happen July 18 and 19 at the Mendon Speedway at the Grand Lake Motorcycle Club. To date Tabfest has donated over $18,000 and nearly 5,000 pounds of aluminum tabs to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Miami Valley (http://www.rmhdayton.org). The event also will support other Ohio-based not-for-profit organizations whose programs provide comfort and care to children and families in need.
“I can honestly say this line-up is the best we’ve ever had,” said Curt Albers, the event’s founder. “As usual, Tabfest will be a celebration of local music, but there are some outstanding artists that have never been to this part of the state before who will be a real treat for people who appreciate great live music.”
The event is headlined by Freekbass (Cincinnati), The Charlie Hunter Trio (National touring act) the Fareed Haque Group (National Touring act) and Tabfest’s co-producers The One-Eyed Show (from St. Marys). Other Tabfest performers include One Under (Columbus) Family Groove Company (Chicago), Mike Perkins (Columbus), JP and the Chatfield Boys (Cleveland), Skeleton Crew (Dayton), DNA (St. Marys), Ron Rasberry (Toledo), Purple Overcoat (Spencerville), Lotus Groove (Kent), Human Co-Op (Lima), Wabbac’s Cap (Van Wert), Will Freed Band (Lima), Divine Day (Cincinnati), Lady Bird and the Dirty Dirty Earthworms (Celina), Mike Switzer (Columbus) and Lucian Towne and the Towne Choir (Toledo).
Tabfest is an annual charity concert campout. This is the ninth year the event, which has become one of the largest and best-known festivals of its kind in the region, has featured live music. Members of The One-Eyed Show and Grasshopper Pie (recently disbanded) partner with event founder Curt Albers (from Minster) in a non-profit organization called the Harmony for Ohio Foundation to organize the annual festival. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Miami Valley presented organizers of Tabfest with the “Heart of the House Award,” in 2003 to recognize their support.
Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home-away-from-home” for the families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Visit www.rmhdayton.org for more information on Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Miami Valley Region.
A weekend pass is $25 if purchased before July 13, $40 if purchased the day of the event. A Friday single day passes can be purchased at the gate for $20. Early bird camping pass (for July 17) are available for $10. Tickets can be purchased through the official Tabfest web site: www.tabfest.com. The site provides full details for the event, including directions, rules and other specifics.
Visit: www.tabfest.com
