Tim Cain's 10 favorite Celebration performances
The best acts aren't always on the Show Stage. There's plenty of excitement from that stage, sure, but if you wander around, you might come across something you'll remember for years. (Decades, now, in some cases.)
10. Terrance Simien
Simien has played Decatur Celebration three times, but his 2003 performance was the most memorable. In the afternoon, a storm threatened to shut down the event. The event bounced back, and Simien played a 70-minute set (then one of the longest in event history) as lightning lit up the sky to the south.
9. Shane Stockton
A country singer who suddenly was playing a Steve Miller Band song and a couple of other classic rock hits in addition to his own fine material.
8. Bobby "Boris" Pickett, Sheb Wooley
They performed at Central Park as a double bill of novelty songs. Well, Wooley did “songs.” Pickett did “Monster Mash” twice, and led a parade of roaming characters on to the strangest dance scene ever.
8. Bobby "Boris" Pickett, Sheb Wooley
They performed at Central Park as a double bill of novelty songs. Well, Wooley did “songs.” Pickett did “Monster Mash” twice, and led a parade of roaming characters on to the strangest dance scene ever.
7. KISS Army
Full makeup, and focusing on the band's early material, KISS Army showed a tribute band could carry a main stage. Even after the “Paul” lost his voice.
6. The Smithereens
Wall-to-wall hits, and agreeable folks who insisted on meeting as many of their fans as possible.
5. Tiny Tim
He took a band he'd never seen and a baffled audience on a tour of 20th century music. Did he ever finish a song? Did he ever get to a second chorus? Probably not. It didn't matter.
4. Icon For Hire
Their 2009 appearance came after they won a spot on a Celebration stage via a Herald & Review battle of the bands contest. Their high energy was a stunner, as was their nascent Icon Army. Their energy is unabated six years later.
3. Presidents of the United States of America
Speaking of high energy. Their performance was one of the most-attended at the Funfest Stage. I convinced producer Fred Puglia to go check out the crowd, and heard him scream with delight as he saw it and got into the act.
2. Moxy Fruvous
They were a Canadian alternative act. I'd heard their most recent album (which was their third). In a foul mood after a mediocre showing by Chuck Negron, I sat arms crossed essentially daring the band to entertain me. I saw them two dozen more times in the next two years.
1. Here Come the Mummies
Unquestionably the best Celebration show. After 90 frenetic sweaty minutes on a steamy Saturday night, what else could we do but salute them? Oh, and have them back a couple more times.
DECATUR – Thursday night of Decatur Celebration has always centered around the family.
DECATUR – While not drawing its name from the song, Decatur Celebration and the Kool and the Gang song “Celebration” have long been associated.
DECATUR – Rob Van Winkle promises to bring the circus to Central Illinois when he takes the stage at Decatur Celebration.
In this week leading up to Decatur Celebration, I'm sharing a few of my stories tied to the event.
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The WSOY Community Food Drive is Friday.
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Former Herald & Review staffer Jim Vorel left here about a year ago, and works for Paste Magazine in Georgia.
The return of Heart tribute band Heartless brought back another Decatur Celebration memory.
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DECATUR — Decatur Celebration organizers on Tuesday announced that wristbands are on sale at more than 30 locations for the Aug. 1-4 event.Â
SULLIVAN — Little Theatre on the Square executive director John Stephens has been a fixture at the theater for 13 years.
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