It’s almost been a week since I joyfully closed the doors of an empty cargo van that hauled and delivered helium tanks, kegs of beer, bratwurst, Italian Sausage, hamburger patties, drum kits, hamburger and hot dog buns….even wedding decorations. And although my tired aching body asks me the same questions it does every year in regards to my old man body keeping up with this crazy weekend we call Harry Fest, my answer remains the same…there is no weekend in my life that is more important.
It’s important for many reasons, but after reflecting on the events, encounters and experiences of this past weekend I have narrowed it down to a rather simple response….which I will get to later.
Harry Fest 16 (The 16 representing the age Harry would have been in earth years) was a phenomenal success in every way imaginable. The weather…perfect. The music….awesome. The crowd….swelling. The food…delicious. The volunteers….amazing. The atmosphere…exhilarating. It was the best Harry Fest in terms of attendance, revenue and execution. Even with a slight shortage of volunteers the event ran smoothly and over 1,000 people experienced the magic of Harry like so many of us have before.
Deep appreciation and thanks are in order for many and I would be remiss if I did not recognize some true MVP’s.
Without the support and contributions of Jack & Bette Dastoli Harry Fest would not be the same. In addition to the usual generosity of their company, United Rental, Jack also set up a first class stage and provided top notch sound reinforcement which he ran the entire day and evening. He is also the person responsible for creating the relationship with Guitar Center and the driving force behind “Harry Stout Rocks” which will provide $ 6,500.00 in musical merchandise to four area schools this fall. Jack was there as much as I was and I could not be more grateful for his support and friendship.
Speaking of people that were always there before, during and after the event….where would I be without Matt Adams and his amazing “teen posse.” Matt and his crew were the primary reason we had so much exposure this year with business marquis, poster and brochure distribution. He was there before, during and after the event and working like a….well….like a Trojan! He also organized an incredible group of young men I have the privilege of knowing as they were Harry’s classmates and teammates …Keaton, Michael, Kyle, Austen and of course, Young MC. Thanks for being there fella’s…I see Harry in each one of you.
My sister Melenee…working like a rented mule in the food tent and at the site on set-up day, early on game day and even helping the day after. What a marvelous job she and her recruits did in serving up food from noon to 8:00 PM and creating one of our best sources of revenue. Harry always loved your cooking Mel…thanks for keeping the tradition intact.
And how about my adopted Florida daughter Corinna….flying up from Tampa with my daughter Allie to work all day Saturday and experience her first Harry Fest….hope it is the first of many!
And speaking of Florida, did MaDonna Glatz ever leave the admin tent? MaDonna and her drummer husband Chris not only provide HUGE financial support to the foundation, they work like dogs. So wonderful to have them be a part of this day and I really couldn’t imagine it without them.
And how could I forget the Russon family? Non-stop workers from start to finish and something tells’ me they enjoyed every minute of it! So special to have them be involved on this day.
Then there is Kevin Smith. Kevin may have set a land speed record for snapping photos on Friday and Saturday. Kevin rocked the house with a sweet rendition of “Everybody’s Working For The Weekend” and then backed it up by working all weekend…even as we broke down the sound system around midnight.
I could go on and on with the people who made this event special like Jeff and Dennis from the Apogee Companies, Amy from Bittersweet, Carl from Papa’s Italian Sausage, Steve from Big Top Market, Art & Judy from Plainwell Ice Cream, Tim from Arcadia Brewing, The Bleka Family from Quantum Foods, The Schupan Family, Mike from The Courthouse, Tony & Laura from The Timid Rabbit, Jen at Ambassador Graphics, Jim at Kalamazoo Sportswear, Aaron at Guitar Center, Todd and the Crew at Cool 101 and WZUU, Poppy and Dottie, Dan, Martha and Eric, Anthony and Andrea, The Drew, all of Meryl’s Hornet Posse, Vicki, Ritch, Crusty Russ, The Saucedo’s, Randy, Brian, Stephanie, The Harry Stout Foundation Board of Directors, Allie’s crew….any anyone I may have inexcusably left off this list…you are the best and I can’t thank you enough.
Special Moments
Handing out the Mike Molitor Volunteer Awards on stage with the Molitor Family. This is an annual award that goes to volunteers who have gone beyond the call of duty and/or supporting and working with us for several years. The award is named after Mike Molitor who was without a doubt one of the most devoted contributors to Harry Fest and we sure do miss him. This year’s winners were…
· Matt Adams
· Melenee Stout
· Kevin Smith
· Chris & MaDonna Glatz
· Pat Kidwell
· Tommy Orr
· Greg “Nick” Nakken
· Nate Cremeans
· Meryl Stout
· Dave King
· Todd Overhuel
Congratulations to all of these deserving people who serve so unselfishly.
The Amy Winter Courage Awards
This was the first year for this award and given in the honor of Amy Winter who we lost last year. Amy was such an amazing profile in courage as she worked so hard for the foundation while dealing with her own personal challenge of Cancer. Even when Amy wasn’t feeling her best, her conviction and spirit never wavered. We presented two awards this year.
· Dennis “Denny” Lee. Denny has been the bass player in the Harry Stout All-Star Band since its inception in 2004. He is also one of the partners of our presenting sponsor, The Apogee Companies in south Florida. He and partner Jeff Staley have provided the foundation with its most impactful financial contribution and have been strong supporters of our causes. Denny was diagnosed with Stage IV liver disease last year and in the midst of the fight of his life. He has been on chemotherapy for the past 10 months and has another 8-10 to go. The good news is that it’s working so we are keeping Denny in our thoughts and prayers and hope to have him back on the stage soon.
· Andy Winter. Amy’s husband and four year board member of the foundation has somehow managed to keep pushing forward even while dealing with such a difficult loss. He inspires us all and our love for Andy and his family comes from a very deep place. It was a bittersweet moment to present the award to Andy and his daughters, Amanda and Allison.
Claudia Klein.
Claudia is the daughter of Dan and Deb Klein who has had her own set of challenges the past few years. Claudia had a spontaneous brain bleed over two years ago and has been on the comeback trail ever since. A spirited fighter with an amazing support system, Claudia has made amazing strides in her recovery. I was shocked to see her walking into Harry Fest this year and according to Dan, she was able to enjoy one of the rides called the “Monkey Jumper Thing.” Dan told me it was the first athletic experience she had enjoyed in almost three years and the smile on her face brought tears to his eyes. Brings them to mine as I write this.
Rock and Roll, Jazz, Country and Alternative!
I can’t begin to tell you how incredible the musical line up was this year. The variety and quality was second to none.
· Spanish Moss. These youngsters filled in at the last minute for Ginormous and the Wee Ones and what a job they did! Very talented young musicians who had one of the most interesting set lists I’ve ever heard.
· Keith Hall and Friends. What an addition to the fest line up! Amazing jazz by some of the best players in the region and Keith on drums….you make me ill.
· Please Promise. Formerly known as Three PK, these three brothers raised the bar on energy and performance for everyone else. All original and all from the heart.
· Blue Dahlia. If you have never heard this band, you really are doing yourself a disservice. Some of the most melodic and enjoyable music I have ever heard live. Carolyn Koeble takes drumming and percussion to new levels.
· Gods of Kansas. Wow. Rock and Roll put its best foot forward when these true to earth rockers hit the stage. Energy, performance and grit dressed to a tee. I still think the bass player was Jack Black in disguise. Keep your eyes on these guys.
· Dewsouth. Nate Cremeans is a modern day Phoenix….rising from the ashes with yet another incarnation of his high energy mix of country and rock. Nate’s dedication of the song he wrote for his late daughter was way cool and very personal….and incredibly appreciated. The band has never sounded better Nate and they are all as genuine as you.
· Mid Life Crisis. There is a reason they are chosen Grand Rapid’s best band year after year…they are incredibly good! Playing rock classics and tasty originals MLC displayed the musicianship and professionalism we have come to appreciate at Harry Fest. Just a great group of people to boot!
· The Harry Stout All-Star Band. How does a so-so drummer playing once a year pull it off? He surrounds himself with incredible musicians! A special thanks to Greg Morris and Mark “George” DeShong who joined the All-Stars for the first time and did a magnificent job. Of course, Dave, Tommy, Pat, Kevin, Nate, Chris, Shapel…you all rocked and I LOVE playing with you! Already thinking about next year.
Conversations
Even though I spend most of the weekend running from one place to another, I manage to get a few moments to talk with people I have never met who have a special connection to Harry Fest. Once such person was Randy who travels with Dewsouth as a tech. I first met Randy on Wednesday night at the All-Star rehearsal where we shake off the dust, throw back some ale and eat a little pizza. Randy was an invaluable asset throughout Harry Fest as he worked with Jack to ensure all the stage adjustments for each band were taken care of…which was done flawlessly. Randy explained to me that less than two years ago he lost his wife and that her resting place is just a few feet from Nate Cremeans daughter who passed a few years before. It never fails to amaze me how many people have had to deal with such incredible loss and how personally important Harry Fest is for them.
At 7:30:PM, as we do each year, over 1,000 blue and white balloons are released into the evening sky, drifting away in mass, simply going as the wind takes them without struggle or concern. It is really an amazing sight and for many, a very emotional moment. Before the balloons are released, everyone say’s “Happy Birthday” to Harry and then an “I love you” to the person/people that have gone before. I know for me that as soon as those balloons are in the air I am overcome with emotion. As I held on to Annie, my new bride, I pondered how much my life had changed since this time last year. I remembered last year, sitting on the hill on Sunday morning…alone with one balloon that had been mysteriously left behind from the night before. I held on to the balloon, pondering and wondering if my life would ever be the same. I let go of the balloon and watched drift away, happily dancing in the breeze. It was then I realized and accepted that my life would not be the same…and that was alright. This was my life now and to not live it to the fullest and explore the wonders life presents would be an incredible disservice to my son, my friend, my brother.
I went back to Florida and fell madly in love with the most wonderful woman who I had lived next door to for over a year. I had resisted accepting the changes in my life, fighting it off with solitude as my ally. Somehow, that day….letting go of that balloon changed my life and created a new happiness, a new chapter, a new beginning.
It’s really odd how things happen. At this year’s Harry Fest I found out how the mystery balloon had been left behind. Steve Bloom who plays drums for Mid Life Crisis shared his story.
“When we did the balloon launch last year, something told me not to let go of that balloon. I don’t know why, but I knew I shouldn’t so I tied it behind the drum riser and left it there.”
Now he knows.
So now I come to the conclusion of this rather lengthy blog (congratulations if you made it this far) and my synopsis of what Harry Fest is.
Harry Fest is about appreciation.
It is about appreciating the amazing people and friends I have who come together to make this day happen. My new friends from Florida all comment about how lucky I am to be surrounded with such great people and they are so right.
It is about appreciating being there for each other and stepping up to help each other out. Beyond the causes the financial resources provide, it is the cause of kindness, the cause of pitching in, of laughter, high fives and embraces. Old friends, new friends, new brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and the smiles on children’s faces…the beat of the drum, the power chord on an electric guitar, the blue sky and green trees. Knowing how deeply touched Harry would be. Appreciating what we have, while we have it and enjoying every moment we can with each other.
I can’t thank you all enough and in the most heartfelt way I can say it….I appreciate you.
Message to old body: deal with it.
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HARRY FEST MAY 31ST!
Entertainment Line Up
12:30-1:10 Ginormous & the Wee Ones
1:30-2:10 Keith Hall Jazz Band
2:30-3:10 Please Promise
3:30-4:10 Blue Dahlia
4:30-5:10 God’s of Kansas
5:30-6:10 Dew South
6:30-7:40 Mid Life Crisis
8:00-? Harry Stout All-Star Band
Hot Dog Eating Contest @ 5:15
Balloon Launch @ 6:15
Mike Mollitor Awards @ 4:15
Amy Winter Awards
Harry Stout Rocks Winners @ 9:30
Rides/Kids Activities Noon-8-00
Food and Beverages-All Day/All Night
Volleyball Noon-Darkness
Ginormous & The Wee Ones
Ska
www.myspace.com/ginormousandtheweeones
Keith Hall and Friends
Jazz
www.keithhallmusic.com
Please Promise
Punk/Pop
www.myspace.com/pleasepromise
Blue Dahlia
National Geogrpahic of Music
www.bluedahlia.com
Gods of Kansas
Aggressive & Relentless Original Rock & Roll
www.myspace.com/thegodsofkansas
Dew South
Country Western
www.myspace.com/dewsouthlive
Mid Life Crisis
Classic and Original Rock and Roll
www.mlcband.com
The Harry Stout All-Star Band
Classic Rock, New Rock, Country and
some down home funkalicious boogie
http://www.bootsycollins.com/
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Support Harry Fest Partners!