The crowd was dancing as soon as the music began.
The 14th Annual Landings Music Festival will go down in community history as the biggest and best yet.
With 870 paid attendees – a remarkable turnout made even more impressive by a 38 percent reduction in gate pricing from previous years – this year’s event proved that great value, and great community spirit are an unbeatable combination.
A record-setting 28 sponsors supported the event, with many sponsor representatives in attendance throughout the evening. Their presence underscored what continues to elevate the festival year after year.
The weather could not have been more perfect, providing an ideal backdrop for what became a night of nonstop dancing and celebration. From the opening number to the final encore, the dance floor was packed. By many accounts, it was the largest number of people ever dancing the night away at a Landings festival.
This year’s entertainment lineup was exceptional. The first show featured professional-quality performances by 10 talented Landings residents, showcasing musical talent within the community itself. Joe Bavender steered the resident-filled first act of Jennifer Bavender, Joan Davison, Rick Brown, Pete Gaffney, Keith Belfiglio, Kathy Engle, Lou DeSilvo, Corston Lane, Gretchen Gates, all while playing and singing himself.
The second show also brought high-energy excitement from the High Voltage Show Band featuring numerous instrumentalists and singers on stage. In this show were Landings residents Lonza Bartlett, Charlie McCoy, Jim Willis, Keith Belfiglio and Tommy Firiolo, grandson of residents John and Teri Firiolo.
They delivered a crowd-pleasing set filled with momentum building hits fueled by the High Voltage power horn section. High Voltage lead singers include Bartlett, Steve McDougall of Fargo, ND, and Fort Myers, and Marci Giebels-Birchenough of Naples, FL.
Landings Marina director, rocked
out with his son Ted, lead singer
of Dirty Fishnet Stockings.
Headlining the third show was Dirty Fishnet Stockings, an acclaimed rockabilly hit act led by Chicago bandleader and lead singer Ted O’Donnell.
O’Donnell, son of Marina Director Craig O’Donnell, brought infectious energy and polished showmanship that had the audience on its feet until the very end.
Festivalgoers also raved about the food. Two popular local vendors – SmokeStream BBQ and Taco Works – served up crowd favorites all evening. Conveniently located in the central corner from The Landings, both food trucks enjoyed a steady stream of satisfied customers.
While final accounting is still underway, organizers report that any excess funds raised will support the Iona Fire District’s children’s and elderly relief efforts, ensuring the festival’s positive impact extends beyond one unforgettable evening.
Special thanks should go to the festival resident leadership team whose efforts and tireless commitment continue to raise the bar year after year. Members include Jim Willis, Scott Dustin, Joe Bavender, John Hart, Bob Mahoney, Wes Fitz, and Pat Malone, ably supported by The Landings general manager John Trimarche. The festival sponsor team, consisting of Chris and Susie Duca, Craig O’Donnell, Scott and Lauretta Dustin, and Jim and Mary Pat Willis, was successful in obtaining a record number of sponsors. The sponsor funding, displays, and representatives in attendance were at all-time highs.
Attendees were unanimous in calling this the best Landings Music Festival ever.
the evening? Form a conga line, of course.
With perfect weather, record attendance, outstanding sponsors, exceptional performances, and a dance floor that never seemed to empty, the 14th Landings Music Festival was, by every measure, a tremendous success. It was a night the community will be talking about for years to come.
Photos by Jackie Wagner and Cathy Webb
