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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 school’s annual fundraising event has never been bigger.

Doctors Band

File photo

The Doctors Band is a perennial
favorite at the Community Festival
at Shawe Memorial High School.

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 Chandler’s 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 event’s success. The festival is one of the school’s 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 you’re going the see the Rumors anywhere around Madison, you have to wait in line, and once inside the place it’s usually packed. But it won’t cost anything to see them at the festival. And we’re 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 won’t 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 day’s 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 would’ve been possible without the fundraiser’s 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.

Back to August 2009 Articles.

 

 

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