Petunia Festival Entertainment Schedule
For $5, this year’s ticket provides a variety of music choices covering 3 days on three stages each night.
Bud Light Garden Stage
This year, the Petunia Festival has moved its country entertainment from the Dixon Airport to the Bud Light Garden Stage and expanded it to 3 days, Thursday through Saturday.
■ Thursday: The lineup features Nashville singer/songwriter Chris Weaver. Weaver will open for TelluRide, the Nashville-based band that opened last year’s concert. TelluRide just released their debut CD, “Four Square Miles.”
■ Friday: Tin Horse will open for headliner, Whiskey Falls. Tin Horse is a high-energy band fronted by three women who all sing and play multiple instruments has also just released a new CD. Best known for their incredible harmonies, Whiskey Falls claims musical influences that include The Eagles, Alabama, Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, U2 and Queen, just to name a few. Whiskey Falls calls its style “Cala-Bama” music – which members describe as “Hotel California” meets “Sweet Home Alabama” resulting in hits like “Long Train Running,” “Keep The Light On” and “Falling Into You.”
■ Saturday: Chicago-based singer/songwriter Dayna Malow and her band return. Winning last year’s Chicago Music Award for Country Artist of the Year, Dayna already had two CDs under her belt, when she released her third CD, “What’s The Worst That Could Happen.” This year she returns to Dixon to open for headliner, Curb recording artist, Steve Holy. Holy has a string of top 10 and No. 1 country hits including “Good Morning Beautiful,” “Brand New Girlfriend,” “Blue Moon” and “Men Buy The Drinks.” While his style might resemble Elvis Presley meets Dwight Yoakam, his voice is Ricky Nelson meets Chris Isaak. With his blend of ’50s rock and roll, pop and traditional country, Holy has crafted a unique sound that has won fans across the country. His latest single, “Baby Don’t Go,” was released to radio earlier this month.
KSB River Stage
■ Thursday: The Funnies will perform 6-8:30 p.m. Then, from 9 p.m. to midnight, you can hear Cheap Trick, The Cars, U2 and Rick Springfield, all from Trash ’80s.
■ Friday: Kicking off is a couple groups of kids, Band Together, 5-6 p.m. and The Noyz Boyz, 6-8 p.m. Another local favorite – a high-energy band – The Late Nite Blues Brothers will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight.
■ Saturday: starts with Rockster, a local band new to the festival, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. And from 9 p.m. to midnight, is Catfish, the chicks that rock. This is their third year at the festival. They are just getting better and hotter.
The County Market Park Stage
■ Thursday: Beginning at 6 p.m., Flying Fish will perform, followed by Merlin.
■ Friday: Out of Storage will kick off things at 6 p.m. From 9 p.m. to midnight, Kirkland will perform.
■ Saturday: Enjoy the smooth sounds of Robbie LeBlanc, 7-9 p.m. Strange Arrangement will take the stage from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
