Fundraiser Set For May 9 To Support Frankfort Bluegrass Festival

FRANKFORT, IL — The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival all-volunteer committee will hold its spring fundraiser in support of the festival on May 9 at CD&ME, 23320 S. La Grange Road.

Three bands will showcase the sounds of bluegrass at the fundraiser, which will run from 6 to 10 p.m., event organizers said.

“Fifteen years ago our modest-size group was planning for a free festival and wondering if anyone would show up,” said Steve Haberichter, a founding member and participating musician. “As that first weekend of free music continued, people started commenting on what a cool thing we’d created and followed up by asking how they could help.”

The committee soon realized that fundraisers were a natural trajectory toward greater success and a way of utilizing all the new volunteers intent on helping keep the Frankfort Bluegrass Festival free and open to the public, according to a release.

The fundraiser features three live music acts: The Grateful String Band, Wheels North, and Anderlik, Otto & Church. The evening will also have appetizers from The Frankfort Restaurant Association group, beer tastings courtesy of Trails Edge Brewery and Blue Island Beer Co., plus raffles, split the pot and silent auction items.

The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival itself is set to return on July 12-13 to downtown Frankfort.

“If not for our faithful supporters, some who jumped in 15 years ago, we would not have been able to keep our pledge to bring free, top quality, award-winning bluegrass acts to Frankfort every summer to celebrate this truly American music,” said Amanda Thompson, fest coordinator. “Our Bluegrass Fest fundraising truly took flight when we were embraced by CD & Me and all our supporters who love this event.”

“Our own international recognition is connecting our audiences to the kinds of acts famous around the world, and we couldn’t be prouder that they know of and want to come to Frankfort,” Haberichter said in a release. “Our local, lead-up fundraisers provide a preview the superior musicianship we recruit locally.”

Advance tickets are $45 and include music, heavy appetizers and beverages. There is a full-stocked cash bar as well.