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The 7th Inning Stretch Festival is undergoing an overhaul that includes a name change to The American Legion World Series Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, the festival that surrounds the Earl Scruggs Center block and spills onto Graham Street will be larger, longer and louder than previous festivals.
“This is the 10th year for the festival, so it’s an ideal time to pull out all the stops,” says Eddie Holbrook, chairman of the local ALWS committee, which provides the festival as a thank you to the community for its continued support of the annual baseball tournament.
The N.C. Department of The American Legion continues as the presenting sponsor.
The festival is larger because it will extend to include Marion Street between Washington and Lafayette streets. It is longer since it will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and it will be louder because the music will last almost all day long.
“We have four music performances scheduled for the North Point Custom Builders’ Hometown Stage, beginning at 1 p.m.,” said Holbrook. “We are showcasing local and regional talent on that stage as well as the Little Miss American Legion World Series pageant at 10 a.m. On the Main Stage, we have three artists that we know are crowd pleasers. We will announce the Main Stage musical entertainment at a future date.”
The Hometown Stage will welcome the following bands:
1 p.m.: Mason Cole, a Shelby native, is making a name for himself with his mix of country and Americana music at regional venues, including music festivals. He recorded, mixed and mastered all 15 of his original songs on his first album, “Lonesome Again.” His latest single is “Lattimore.”
2:15 p.m.: Falling Forty-Two is an energetic band founded by sisters, Emily and Kate Strickland of Shelby. Emily (electric bass and vocals) and Kate (electric violin and vocals) together with Nathan Fowler (guitar and vocals) and Evan Grey (drums) combine high energy performances to provide a unique take on music with a positive message.
3:30 p.m.: The Bailey Marie Band features Charlotte-based singer-songwriter and actor Bailey Marie. She has found her niche as a country/pop artist performing across the country at iconic places such as the Apollo Theater in New York City, the Roxy in Hollywood, Universal Studios in Burbank, California, and various venues in the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Nashville, Tenn. Bailey Marie has written over 60 original songs with hit writers in Nashville and currently works with a Grammy nominated producer.
4:30 p.m.: Tangerine Trees is a Gastonia-based Beatles tribute band that drew an appreciative audience at the 2022 7th Inning Stretch Festival. Tangerine Trees consists of four life-long musicians led by Roger Leonhart (vocals/guitar), Scott Moon (drums/vocals), Jimmy Ennis (bass/vocals) and John White (guitar).
New at the festival this year is a classic car show that will fill Lafayette Street from the Shelby Café to Graham Street and Pleasant City Wood-Fired Grille. Also, Cleveland Community College will set up YetiVille with all its sports teams and various departments taking part, including the Yeti mascot.
The kids’ zone will be larger than in previous festivals with more attractions and games. Living statue baseball characters and multiple performances of the “Who’s on First” comedy skit will enhance the baseball theme, along with a batting cage and pitching machine.
The new ALWS mascot, AL, will sign autographs and mingle.
Members of the U.S. Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights, will interact with the crowd.
“We are tying the festival directly to the ALWS,” said Holbrook. “It has always been an ALWS kickoff event and this year we are asking the vendors to create a baseball theme for their booths. We are adding baseball-themed games and entertainment to emphasize the connection. The Golden Knights will perform twice during the baseball tournament, and people at the festival will get a chance to meet some of the parachutists… Add in our increased music performances, and we are expecting a tremendous turnout for our 10th year.”
For information about becoming a festival vendor, sponsor or volunteer, go to alwsfestival.us or call Festival Coordinator Kim Davis at 704-600-6599. To register for the Little Miss American Legion World Series pageant, visit alwsfestival.us.
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