Badfinger to headline Festival of Presidents concerts

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Saturday, June 28, 2008

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The third annual Festival of Presidents offers a mix of family fun with concerts, a parade, sidewalk store sales, kids fair, craft and food vendors, beer garden and more on Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, at Sixth and Main streets.

The two evenings of free concerts and street dances open with the British Invasion of Badfinger, a 1970s power-pop band famous for its collaborations with top bands such as The Beatles, The Who and others. The Friday-night show will introduce the band’s music to a new generation of its great classic rock ‘n’ roll that has influenced generations of contemporary music. Local blues-rock band The Suspects will open with a catalog of original music and covers of other artists.

The following night offers country rock bands Highway 101 and Pirates of the Mississippi and plenty of boot-scooting at the street dance. Jalan Crossland Band, a local crowd-pleaser, will open the show.

“These are just a great lineup of concerts,” Chris Johnson, Festival of Presidents chairman, said.

A combination of patriotism and festival fun is celebrated not only with the classic contemporary music but is linked to the president statues that dot the downtown area. The festival has proven to be a hit, with 10,000 people taking part in the activities and music in the past, he said.

“It’s just a great time that we can have downtown,” Johnson said.

A select schedule of activities for both days includes:

June 27, Friday

y 5:30 p.m. Free concerts by The Suspects followed by the headliner Badfinger, which includes street dance. Food and craft booths, children activities, walking tours, raffles, outdoor store sales, beer garden and more.

June 28, Saturday

y 9 a.m. Festival of Presidents Parade with children’s parade, military flyover, floats, marching band and more. Shrine of Democracy Chorus will perform immediately after parade. Children’s fair opens at Sixth and St. Joseph streets as will food and craft vendors. Beer garden, walking tours, downtown stores sidewalk sales, raffles and children’s activities and more. Parking is available at downtown parking garage for Saturday only.

y 5:30 p.m. Free concerts by Jalan Crossland Band, Highway 101 and Pirates of the Mississippi; plus free street dance.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.