How to go
What: Inaugural Summer Music Charity Festival
Where: Rick's Tavern, 5955 Boymel Drive, Fairfield
When: Noon to midnight Sunday, Aug. 1.
Why: Money raised will benefit the Field of Dreams project.
How to help: But there will special pricing from Rick's Tavern's menu, a dunk tank, face painting, raffles and split-the-pot. The Fairfield Fire Department will conduct a "Fill-the-Boot" campaign at the event.
Cost: Admission is free.
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FAIRFIELD — The inaugural Summer Music Charity Festival will help fulfill a “dream.”
The festival is the creation of Rick’s co-owner Steve Minnielli, Steve Hacker of The IROCS and Kim Masters of After Midnight. From noon to midnight Sunday, Aug. 1, at Rick’s Tavern, 5955 Boymel Drive, the event will showcase 13 bands from Greater Cincinnati and have a festival atmosphere.
The event’s proceeds will support the Field of Dreams project, two rubberized fields on Groh Lane for the developmentally disabled to play softball or baseball. It will be the home for the Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled’s softball league.
“We were real excited when we first heard about it,” said Steve Smith, one of the lead project coordinators. “Of all the great causes out there, for them to chose us as the first ones to support, it’s an honor.”
The event was organized within six weeks by Minnielli, Hacker, Masters and Rick’s employee Jena Meiners.
“Yes, we are trying to raise money, but we want the community to come together so they can just enjoy the day,” Minnielli said.
The Field of Dreams project seemed to be a natural choice since it was a dream for former Reds baseball pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, Minnielli said. Nuxhall died in November 2007.
The groundbreaking for the field has been delayed until this winter. The project still needs about $300,000 to meet the $1.6 million goal. Smith said the delay allows the project’s fundraising committee a chance to tie up loose ends.
The bands — which all have donated their time — will either perform inside or outside Rick’s Tavern. Some of the bands are TNT, After Midnight, The IROCS, and Dangerous Jim and the Slims.
In addition to music, there will be a dunk tank, face painting, raffles and split-the-pot. The Fairfield Fire Department will conduct a “Fill-the-Boot” campaign at the event.
Throughout the day, Minnielli said he anticipates at least 600 to 800 people will enjoy the event.
Sponsorships are still available until the day of the event and admission is free.
For more, e-mail Minnielli at steve@ rickstavern.com.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com. Follow at
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