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Pete told me, “It was the first time I was not in jeans and boots onstage. We arrived Friday afternoon just as Pete Jive finished opening the event on the main stage. My friend Joe proudly wore his Wharf Rat shirt. And I think it is easier for people on a sobriety journey to enjoy the day when it isn’t focused on partying, at least through the daylight hours. It means families can enjoy the music and scene together.

I have observed that keeping a family focus is what makes small festivals a success. Way said she was proud of the kids’ team, Rick, Violet, and Haley, and their efforts. And the event worked hard to make sure kids were entertained with activities, lots of painting, crafting, bubbles, and silliness. My thought was the first-time festival means it will be small, not so overwhelming for people new to this scene, and safer for the little ones. So new musicians for me to hear, old familiars to sing along with and new people to meet. Stretching out a bit farther north to Bloomington/Normal, Illinois means touching base with Chicago Farmer and the Field Notes. Sunshine had Brad, a Perfunctory member, as one of their early founders.

Sunshine Daydream has a legacy going back to another Springfield Dead cover band called Perfunctory This Band. Of course, Bear knew he had to bring in the local flavor of Central Illinois so Sunshine Daydream, out of Springfield, was brought in to play Dead, towing along a group of friends I knew back before 2005 and a move to Joliet. Along with the Rumpke Boys, they brought in Armchair Boogie, and Sicard Hollow, among others, two bands Way feels are taking off. The last part of the production team is Rick Shay, their Chicago investor. Jerry Thompson, aka Bear, is a Springfield, Illinois native and knew about The Kampground. Way said she has been working with The Rumpke Mountain Boys, out of the Cincinnati area for the past couple of years. I spoke to Anj Way, event coordinator, marketer, and band-management guru, on August 3 about Rumble Down. There would be a lot of work at a new event.

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It was a good thing I bought some early full event tickets a Saturday pass and won two full event tickets courtesy of WRZD 88.3, the wizard home of free-form radio Chicago. It wasn’t until the day of the show that I finally got an idea of who would attend. Two of the older grandkids, Shoe Fest vets, knew about the event. So, given close to home, family-focused, and a nice mix of bands, I cast out the word of my willingness to buy tickets to family and waited to see who took the bait. And since this is its first go-around, it means whoever attends can help set the tone, vibe, and culture of the event for years. The inaugural Rumble Down Festival was held on July 29 & 30, 2022. It was a good day when the Rumble Down management team approached The Kampground as the festival site. Music festivals are a new direction for the campground. They offer a quiet and peaceful family campground on 25 acres, featuring RV/Camper and tent campsites, cabins, a fishing pond, hiking trails, a basketball/volleyball court, and fun. Formerly a Nazarene church camp, the site is about 15 miles east of Springfield, Illinois. Recently, The Kampground, a new enterprise near Mechanicsburg, Illinois, has opened up to host music festivals and other events. It is so grand to have a beautiful local place for a festival. This would be a bunch of first-time adventures for the family. The festival site, The Kampground, is within bicycling distance for one of my sons. Four of the grandkids are multi-year Shoe Fest veterans but more of them need the experience and my tribe is all in the Springfield vicinity. I wanted more of my family (kids and grandkids) to experience a small jam-grass festival. When I saw the location for Rumble Down, I smiled.