Ballyhoo Music Festival moves to a new venue, but it has the same purpose - raising money to fight cancer.
The first Ballyhoo spanned several different venues in downtown Youngstown. This weekend's event takes place at Harley Davidson Biketown in Austintown.
Organizer Scott Austalosh said, ''We had a chance to align ourselves with a great location right off the interstate.''
Austalosh believes the move makes the event more accessible to a wider audience. Another change also should increase attendance - admission is free.
''We made the switch to be all inclusive,'' he said. ''Our money will be made off of beer, pop and water sales.''
Last year's event raised about $3,000 for Christina's Garden. This year's proceeds will benefit some local residents facing cancer-related medical costs and expenses as well as Angels for Animals.
Fact Box
Ballyhoo Music Festival runs Friday and Saturday at Harley Davidson Biketown, 5700 Interstate Blvd., Austintown. Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday, and the music runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Doors open at noon Saturday, and the music runs from 1 to 11 p.m.
More than 30 acts will be featured on two stages, one indoor and one outdoor.
''I reached out to the bands that played last year,'' Austalosh said. ''They had the first opportunity. And I've become acquainted with other bands from booking other shows. It just all fell together.''
This year's headliner will be the Midlife Chryslers, a side project of Michael Stanley that plays blues and bar band favorites. In addition to featuring some of his cohorts in The Resonators, the Midlife Chryslers includes musicians who've played in such bands as The Topkats, Jonah Koslen & the Gentlemen Rockers, Tie-Dye Harvest and Wish You Were Here.
Also scheduled to perform are: Abacus Jones, Alexis Antes, Blind Lemon Band Brimstone, Cardboard Cutouts, Chris Wintrip's Canton Guitar Academy, Damian Knapp, Danny McMaster, Dennis Drummond, Diana Chittester, Fetish, Frank Weston, FullMoon Canoe, Hold No Grudge, Hoss & The Juggernauts, Joe Vitale Jr. Band, Legend, Liam Jones, Mike Adams' Common Ground, Natalie Sprouse, New Pharmacy, No Xcuse, Northern Whale, Nothing Pure, Poobah, Remains of Jade, Rick Balluck, Scarlet & The Harlots, Skull'Rz Bane, Teddy Pantelas and Zach Economos.
Other attractions include performances by the Star Boyz street motorcycle stunt team at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, and drummer Joe Vitale Sr. (who has worked with The Eagles, Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash, among others) will be on hand Friday to sign autographs and copies of his autobiography).