2016 Violet Festival Boasts Big-Name Bands

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The music is always a huge part of the Pickerington Violet Festival, and organizers are looking for this year’s line-up to be stronger than ever.

Each night of the four-day festival has a big headliner lined up and, this year, for the first time ever, there are two national acts playing the final evening.

The Violet Festival is slated for July 13-16 on the grounds of Toll Gate elementary and middle schools.

The first official night of the festival is Youth Night. Community churches will come together to feature faith-driven bands, and the headliner is local Christian blues rock outfit Roadhouse Redeemed.

The final act in Thursday night’s line-up is Plaid Brixx, a Columbus-based indie-rock trio familiar to followers of the festival circuit. The group played the Violet Festival last year and is excited to return.

“Last year, we had some awesome snow cones there, and we hope to eat a bunch more of those,” says singer and guitarist Chris Duggan. 

On a more serious note, Duggan says, “Hometown shows give us a chance to stay connected with the fans who have been with us from the beginning and who have become friends.”

After the major to-do that was the Schottenstein Center’s set of Garth Brooks performances in April, it’s only fitting that Friday’s headliner be Shawn Gerhard, billed as the world’s No. 1 Brooks tribute artist.

“For those that were not lucky enough to get tickets to see Garth Brooks this year in Columbus, this literally is the next best thing,” says Chris Stein, president of the Violet Festival’s board of directors.

Saturday’s national artist doubleheader begins with Head East, a classic rock ensemble known for its 1975 hit “Never Been Any Reason.” The song has appeared in a variety of movies and TV shows, including Dazed and Confused, Sahara, That ’70s Show and Friday Night Lights.

High-energy shows with amazing vocals, flashy guitar work and catchy keyboard melodies are a staple of Head East.

After Head East comes Australian soft rock group the Little River Band. Like Head East, the band initially hit it big in the 1970s, and eventually set a record by scoring at least one top 10 hit each year for 10 consecutive years.

Among its best-known tunes are “Help is on its Way,” “Reminiscing,” “Cool Change,” “Take it Easy on Me,” “Lonesome Loser” and “The Other Guy.”

More in Store

As big a deal as they are, the musical acts are only one part of the Violet Festival’s appeal.

This year’s festivities kick off with a 5K Dash and Kids’ Fun Run on July 4, a week before the festival. The route takes runners through the Pickerington High School North cross-country course, and every participant in the fun run receives a ribbon.

Kids can also get their share of amusement in the Kids’ Corner, sponsored by Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The area features a huge assortment of inflatable attractions, as well as giant versions of such games as Jenga, Operation, checkers, Connect Four and tic-tac-toe.

That’s on top of face-painting, balloon artists, stilt-walking jugglers, roving magicians and popular children’s entertainment characters.

The number of free shuttles between the festival and parking areas has been doubled this year.

Other highlights include:

  • A poker run ending at the festival on Thursday night;
  • Carnival rides;
  • A classic car and motorcycle show on Saturday;
  • A tent showcasing local businesses;
  • A beer garden; and
  • Food from a variety of vendors.

For more information, visit www.violetfestival.org.

Zoe Zeid is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Parking is available at Pickerington High School North, Lakeview Junior High School and the Trinity Family Life Center.

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