Fun
fundraiser
Music
and games help raise money
for Madison Catholic schools
Rumors
band joins lineup this year
By
Tara Gentile
Contributing Writer
After a decade of playing host to the two-day Shawe Memorial
and Pope John Community Festival the musical entertainment for the schools
annual fundraising event has never been bigger.
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File
photo
The
Doctors Band is a perennial
favorite at the Community Festival
at Shawe Memorial High School.
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The Rumors, a southern Indiana-based 1970s and '80s cover
band, will be headlining the second night of the Aug. 28-29 event. The
band has been known to pack the house when playing Madison area venues.
And the Rumors crowd-drawing capability is exactly what festival
coordinator Kathy Chandler was banking on when she booked the band a
year ago. The festival, held on the grounds of Shawe Memorial and Pope
John schools, offer free admission.
This is Chandlers eighth year volunteering for the festival but
her second year as head coordinator. As mother of one Shawe graduate
and another Shawe freshman, she says she understands the importance
of the events success. The festival is one of the schools
two annual fundraisers, and all proceeds benefit the operating budget
of Shawe and Pope John.
Founded in 1954, Shawe Memorial is a co-educational Catholic school
for grades 7-12. Pope John XXIII was founded in 1966 and serves grades
kindergarten to sixth, including a preschool program. Pope John XXIII
and Shawe Memorial provide a traditional education for high school students
in Madison, Jefferson County, and the surrounding communities while
emphasizing the Catholic faith.
Last year the annual fundraising festival drew around 3,000 people over
the two days, but with the Rumors band coming this year, Chandler says
they are hoping for an even larger gathering.
Usually, if youre going the see the Rumors anywhere around
Madison, you have to wait in line, and once inside the place its
usually packed. But it wont cost anything to see them at the festival.
And were really hoping to see a large crowd because of this great
opportunity to see hear them for free, said Chandler.
The Rumors, who always enjoy playing the Madison area, are especially
happy to be part of the good cause, according to Rumors drummer
Rob Marline.
But the band wont be the only entertainment provided at the event.
Friday evening, the Doctors Band and the Blues Devils, both local bands,
will be performing. With the purchase of a $15 wristband Friday night
and a $17 wristband Saturday night, guests can ride carnival rides unlimited,
play balloon launching games or take their chance at submerging Madison
Mayor Tim Armstrong or Madison Police Chief John Wallace. Poker tables
will be set up around the grounds and a beer garden will be open until
midnight each day.
On Friday from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., festival attendees can purchase
a spaghetti dinner provided by the school cafeteria.
On Saturday night, Acme will be catering barbecue pork sandwiches during
dinner time. Meals are $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-10. Children
5 and under eat for free. The school PTO will also be selling concessions
throughout each days festivities.
There is also a cash raffle in which the grand prize winner will receive
$10,000, second prize winner will receive $1,000 and ten third place
winners will each be awarded a $100 prize.
I really want to reiterate that this festival is open to everyone
in the community. It should be a fun time for family and friends to
listen to music, eat a good dinner and simply enjoy themselves,
said Chandler.
Festival organizers say that nothing wouldve been possible without
the fundraisers sponsors, Gaylor, Morgan & Nay Funeral Home,
Riverboat Inn, McCubbin Motors, the Waters of Clifty Falls and the local
Farm Service Agency.
For more information, contact Kathy Chandler
at (812) 292-6063.
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