Hip-Hop legends on June 28; Journey’s Steve Augeri June 29
This article is brought to you by A Mighty Noise Revival and Musical Showcase, taking place Aug. 2-4, 2024, at the Howard County 4H Fairgrounds. The event is currently accepting registrations for Christian singing groups, soloists, choirs, and praise and worship teams. Be a part of this weekend of worship, praise, and fellowship! Visit the A Mighty Noise Facebook page for more information, or email amightynoise@gmail.com.
The Haynes-Apperson Festival returns to Kokomo June 27-29, and this year’s concert line-up promises to fill Foster Park every night. From returning favorites to a star-studded stage filled with Hip-Hop legends, and an appearance by one of rock’s great vocalists, this year’s festival is not to be missed.
“Foster Park will be exciting and electrified with three nights of great music from Classic Hip Hop to Classic Rock that that is sure to have everyone singing along!” said Festival Chairman Paul Wyman. “Kokomo, get ready to celebrate our community with a lot of fun music at this year’s Haynes Apperson Festival.”
A crowd favorite, Here Come the Mummies, will open this year’s festival at the Performing Arts Pavilion in Foster Park on Thursday, June 27. A funk band known for high-energy performances and signature costumes, their music is a blend of funk, R&B, and rock, with catchy beats and soulful vocals.
“The Mummies are back by popular demand,” Wyman said. “They’ve become a tradition at the festival, and the crowd just can’t get enough of them.”
Friday, June 28, will be a Classic Hip Hop night with four legendary groups: The Sugarhill Gang, C+C Music Factory, Quad City DJ’s and Tone Loc. Each group will take the stage and perform their greatest hits.
The Sugarhill Gang is acknowledged as the grandfather of the Rap genre, collecting the honor of being the first group to chart a Billboard Top 40 Rap song in 1979 with “Rapper’s Delight.”
C+C Music Factory immortalized themselves with their hit song, “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” in 1989. They also charted with “Here We Go (Let’s Rock and Roll),” “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…,” “Just a Touch of Love,” and “Keep It Comin’.”
Quad City DJ’s are best known for their 1996 hit “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train).” And Tone Loc became a hip-hop legend in 1988-1989 with his eternally popular hits “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina.”
“It is sure to be high energy and a ton of fun singing along to all the great hip hop songs we grew up on,” said Wyman.
Closing out the festival on Sat., June 29, will be Journey former lead vocalist Steve Augeri. In 1998, Augeri debuted on Journey’s seven-time platinum “Armageddon” soundtrack, continuing the legacy as the super-group’s lead vocalist. He will sing the songs that made Journey famous from a selection of 18 Top 40 Hits, including “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Faithfully,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Open Arms,” “Who‘s Crying Now?,” “Remember Me,” “Lights,” “Loving, Touching, Squeezing,” “Be Good to Yourself,” “When You Love a Woman,” “Separate Ways,” and more.
“This will be a huge sing-along night in Foster Park,” said Wyman. “Singing along with the famous Journey songs will be a great lead into the Fireworks Show at dark!”
All concerts are free and family friendly. Those planning to attend the shows are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating around the pavilion.
While the concerts are free, VIP tickets will be available for seating close to the stage for $20 per show or $50 for all three nights. You can purchase VIP tickets starting June 5 at The Wyman Group, 1533 W. Lincoln Road, and Palmer’s Jewelry, 101 E. Sycamore St.
“We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s musical lineup, but live music is just a portion of the many activities planned,” Wyman said. “This festival is a celebration of our community’s rich history and automotive heritage. More than just a celebration of cars, it's a tribute to the ingenuity and passion that have driven our community’s progress and connected us all."
The festival will also feature food vendors, carnival rides, a sports festival, car shows and much more. A local favorite, the Haynes Apperson Parade will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, in downtown Kokomo.
"It's always wonderful to see the diverse array of cars, floats, and individuals taking part in the parade every year,” Wyman said. “It’s an event that truly fosters a great sense of community pride."
The Haynes-Apperson Sports Festival also returns and is shaping up to be one of the best, organizers said. Of particular note is the Kids’ Track Meet, set for Saturday morning, June 29, in Jackson Morrow Park.
For more information on the festival, visit haynesappersonfestival.org or stay up to date with festival announcements on the Haynes-Apperson Festival Facebook page.