This Saturday, the Athens County Fairgrounds will be transformed into a venue for a daylong festival of music, food, art and comedy.
Seventy bands and solo artists from the area and across the country will perform on eight stages in The Big One, sponsored by Big Events Presents, Inc. The event is being called Athens' largest music festival ever.
Musical performances will include sets by national acts such as Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root and reggae band John Brown's Body. Local favorites such as the Paranormals will perform Saturday as well.
Frickin' A, a nationally renowned alternative rock band from Columbus, will also take the stage. After the band performed a few shows at The Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St., Curtis Manley, one of the coordinators of The Big One, asked the group to perform at the festival.
Festival shows are always fun
said Jason Phelps, a member of Frickin' A. He anticipates meeting new people and checking out other bands at the festival.
MTV and VH1 recently featured two videos from Frickin' A, their single Trend and a cover of the 1980s hit Jessie's Girl from their album Big Ego...No Ideas. Their version of Jessie's Girl also is included on the Now That's What I Call Music! 18 CD.
The Commander Cody Band, performing at 5:30 p.m., is no stranger to the stage. Beginning in San Francisco, Calif., in 1969, The Commander Cody Band has opened for Led Zeppelin and performed in front of a half million people at a 1975 festival in Paris, France.
George Frayne, also known as Commander Cody and keyboardist for the group, describes the band as outrageous and anti-establishment. He said he looks forward to coming back to Athens.
Music is not the only attraction at The Big One festival. Twelve comedians will perform stand-up and skits throughout the day. Local filmmakers and artists will exhibit their works as well. Local, regional and national vendors will sell food and merchandise.
Other features to expect at The Big One include ethnically diverse food, carnival rides and games, a classic car show, a kids area and a cornhole tournament.
Several local artists will exhibit artwork in various mediums.
Ania Preuss, an Athens resident, will show seven pieces of her art at The Big One. Her display will include a 2-by-4 canvas pointillism piece done through a mixing of acrylic, pastel and marker mediums. The piece has a galactic theme, she said.
I've never really been in an exhibit of any sort Preuss said. I'm glad to bring the community together.
Karen Thomas, a fifth-year senior at Ohio University, also will display some of her works at the festival. Her exhibit will include some oil paintings.
Thomas said she is honored to be part of The Big One and she looks forward to displaying her artwork outside of OU.
Carly Witmer, also a fifth-year student, will display a few examples of her work from a series of drawings sketched in graphite, ink and acrylic.
The collection, which was showcased in Cincinnati, consists of 25 drawings, but only about six to 12 will be displayed at The Big One. Witmer is eager to exhibit her works in Athens, she said.
Witmer said her works focus on making decisions and narrowing them down into an identity that works for a specific person.
Manley said a main objective of the festival is to combine 'townies' and students in one place together.
The Big One is a culmination of what I've been thinking since being in Athens he said.
Judy Palmer, another event coordinator, said she hopes to continue to organize annual or biannual events like The Big One.
Palmer, an Athens native and Ohio University student, came up with the idea of The Big One in March.
Gates for The Big One open at 10 a.m. Saturday and music begins at 11 a.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $20. Children younger than 12 are admitted free. More information can be found at the event's Web site, www.bigeventspresents.com.
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Caitlin Price
