This year we have a great lineup of Entertainment for you with some of your old favorites and some new exciting venues too!  We also have a variety of displays and events, something for everyone in the family.

Entertainment throughout the Festival Grounds

Here's a Peek at some of this years entertainment and a Schedule of Events and Times below.



1930's Vaudevillian Bud Mercer

        In honor of the Harvest Festival, Buddy Mercer will be appearing with his Father, Bud Mercer (local author of  “Tripping the Light Fantastic”) for an afternoon of Banjos, Comedy and Memories that commemorate a career in the performing arts spanning over 75 years. Son Buddy joined by Local Banjo Impresario “Clay Watkins” will join Bud to embrace the unique and  original offering that the “Banjo” has birthed in American culture.

Click here for info and highlights of the Mercer Brothers

More:  www.BudMercer.com

Clay Watkins - the Banjo Guy!

        Clay grew up in Fresno, and because it was the 1960’s, at age nine he begged his parents to let him play drums or guitar. After much discussion they broke down and allowed him to take banjo lessons. A simple child; Clay took up the new instrument with abandon, learning first the tenor banjo then the plectrum. Throughout high school he played for private parties and also performed with bands such as the Fresno Banjo Band, the Fresno Banjo Philharmonic Society, and the Southern California Banjo Band. The pinnacle of Clay’s professional career as a musician, however, came when he performed at the 1973 Sacramento Banjorama, where he wowed hundreds of banjo aficionados with his rendition of the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
 

            Later Clay helped pay his way through UCLA by playing weekends at Shakey’s Pizza Parlors for pizza and tips. But after graduation he focused on his career in computers and on finding a wife, and put away his beloved banjo for more than a decade.

            A few years ago the stars aligned to draw Clay back into the limelight with his trusted banjo. First, he found a woman who, though she didn’t exactly share his love of the banjo, at least did not despise him for it. Second, he happened to find his dream banjo on eBay (a 1928 Vegaphone Deluxe) and was able to purchase it. Third, he joined the Arroyo Grande Rotary Club, the members of which allowed him to serenade them at their functions from time to time. Last year he even performed for Rotarians from around the world at the Rotary International Convention in Copenhagen, Denmark. Locally you can catch him jamming with other Central Coast traditional jazz musicians (The Basin Street Regulars) on the last Sunday of every month at the Pismo Beach Veterans Hall.
 

            Clay looks forward to the end of September when he will be accompanying Vaudeville great and author Bud Mercer at the Rotary Bandstand on the Village Green in the Village of Arroyo Grande. Bring the family and enjoy some clean fun and a taste of the traditional jazz music that entertained America in the early 1900s.

             When Clay isn’t playing his banjo he works in Arroyo Grande as a licensed marriage and family counselor, and assists his lovely wife in the rearing of their two young children.

The Central Coast Follies

        The Central Coast Follies began in 2002 by a group of local, benevolent energetic, vintage dancers. Since we wanted to perform, our choreographer, Jason Sumabat, suggested doing a benefit for a worthy cause that would help many people. We adopted Parkinson Disease research as our cause.
  
        Using outstanding local talent, the Follies have wonderful support from the community, the Central Coast Parkinson Support Group and the Santa Maria Parkinson Support Group. In the past four years the Follies has been able to send over $70,000 to The Parkinson Alliance. With the Tuchman Fund matching their donation dollar for dollar, it means that 100% of their donation goes to this crucial research
  
        Jason Sumabat, award winning choreographer, has served as artistic director for the Follies since it’s inception. A volunteer committee led by Bernie Kautz, Producer, works behind the scenes to promote these successful productions.

2-Shea

        2-Shea is a Duo Band with both female & male lead vocals and harmonies!  Roni and Andy Shea feature great musicianship and stage presence and are sure to put the Harvest Festival into a great party vibe!   The duo plays classic rock, 80s rock, ballads, dance, oldies, ska, progressive rock, modern rock and some originals too!   Roni who grew up in the San Luis Obispo area is now a professional musician in LA and is having a homecoming with this performance!  The group covers songs from Heart, No Doubt, Stevie Nicks, 3 Doors Down, Pretenders, Evanescence , Beatles, Pat Benatar, Stray Cats, CCR, Doobie Brothers, Melissa Etheridge, Madonna, Sade, Linda Ronstandt, Van Morrison, Elton John, Eagles, Luminous Dream, Rolling Stones, Lional Richie, Eddie Rabbitt, Eric Clapton and many more!

More:  http://www.gigmasters.com/popduo/2shea2/
 

Robert Earl Longley
 

        Robert Earl Longley, also known as Robby, is a world-class level guitarist and symphonic composer from New Orleans whose original compositions are available on nine CDs. "Diaspora" (the ninth CD) is the newest release for 2007. In addition, Robert composed two powerful soundtracks for films that screened at the Sundance Film Festival. In his concert material, Roberts jaw-dropping finger style techniques on the flamenco guitar always deliver fresh, sophisticated Third Stream-like jazzy melodies within classically inspired movements rather than producing traditional flamenco music as one would expect. Besides using a wide variety of musical instruments, the guitar is present in all of Roberts compositions. Perhaps his love of the acoustic guitar is a throwback from his Andalusian ancestry on his mothers side. To be sure, Its almost as if he is not playing, but instead whatever he is feeling is coming out of the guitar, as one audience member put it.
 

More:  http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=41076861

Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra

        This 16 piece big band under the direction of Dick Clark (no - not the TV celebrity) features musicians from Arroyo Grande, Lompoc and Santa Maria. The group highlights the sounds of the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras as well as waltzes, polkas, blues, Dixieland , tangos, rumbas, sambas, mambos and Latin tunes.  The orchestra features several vocalists on ballads and big band numbers.  The orchestra will start the first of its two Harvest Festival sets at 5:30pm on Friday night with the National Anthem featuring the vocals of Arroyo Grande resident Don Gugeler.

        The Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra has been playing together for over 4 years. In that time, the orchestra has played 31 concerts and concert/dances. The orchestra has performed in Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande. Composition of the orchestra is professional musicians, business men, teachers, retired engineers and a few outstanding student musicians. Concert and dance programs are made up of  Big Band music of the 1940's and 1950's with some newer music added at times. For more information, contact Dick Clark at 733-2077. Dance and or concert dates are available at a very reasonable rate.

More:  http://dpdon.com/bigband/
 

Don Gugeler

        Don Gugeler will sing the National Anthem on Friday night during the opening
ceremonies. Don has been involved in the music of the central coast for over 25 years. He is a person who retired to music and lends his talent to many groups. He is an accomplished barbershop harmony singer, singing baritone in the “Back Porch Four” quartet, and performs all over the central coast area. He plays in the Hancock College Band, the San Luis Obispo
County Band, the Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra, the “Coastal Winds” clarinet quartet, performs in various church groups, sings in the “Central City Chordsmen” barbershop chorus, and is responsible for the great monthly music program, “Music for a Sunday
Afternoon” at the First United Methodist Church of Arroyo Grande. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1983 after working there as a design engineer for 30 years.


More:  http://saxonthebeach.net/Bios/Don%20Gugeler.htm
 

San Luis Obispo County Band

        The San Luis Obispo County Band plays a wide variety of traditional concert band music including patriotic songs, Sousa marches and medleys of movie and show tunes.  Throughout its existence, the SLO County Band has been a force for boosterism -- helping to celebrate the birth of the nation in a variety of national holidays, raising funds for various public projects at performances, and acting as a rallying force for the community. Band membership is open to individuals of all ages and its volunteer members come from all over the county.  The band is celebrating its 132nd birthday in 2006 and traces its origins back to the "SLO Military Band" founded in 1874.  In addition to 30 some performances each year, the group plays at the SLO Farmer's Market the third Thursday night of each month from May through September.

More:  www.slocountyband.org

Studio of Performing Arts

Farmers' Market

        Our local farmers will proudly being selling their fruits and vegetables along Olohan Alley.   Special presentations will be made on the farming industry, honey bees, honey and more.

More:  http://www.slocountyfarmers.org/

Train Display

        The San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association is dedicated to model railroading on the Central Coast.   Its activities include public and private exhibitions of model railroad layouts, operating sessions, tips and techniques workshops, educational and heritage programs, social events contests and awards supporting the National Model Railroad Association achievement program, and the general promotion of the hobby.  Members enjoy significant benefits including discounted purchases, resource and knowledge sharing, access to club assets and materials, participation in its many events, and privileges on some of the finest model railroads in the area. Membership is open to everyone.  The club meets at the Oceano Depot at 7:00pm on the third Monday of each month and visitors are welcome.  At the Harvest Festival the display will be running in the HS Barn from 11:00am until 5:00pm on Saturday, September 29th.

More:  http://www.slomra.org/

Reenactment of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman
     
   

        Both Marie Sims and Nancy Whittle are part of a writer's collective called Ebony Verses. Nancy has been reenacting the character of Harriet Tubman for over 16 years and Marie has been reenacting the character of Sojourner Truth for 5 years.  

        Harriet Tubman was once a conductor on the Underground Railroad and helped over 300 slaves escape from the South and Eastern States into Canada and New York, prior to the Fugitive Slave Act.   She worked as a spy, nurse, and cook during the Civil War.  She was a friend of John Brown and not only helped plan worked alongside Col. Montgomery in leading the assault on the Combahee River.  She was well known for her singing abilities and bright wit.

        Sojourner Truth was a ex-slave who became an abolitionist and speaker for women's rights. She was a Pentecostal minister and was the first African American woman to win several lawsuits .  She is known for her published biography and powerful speaking voice. The most highlighted speech being "ain't I a woman."  She also was known for her singing and statute.
 

History of Sojourner Truth

History of Harriet Tubman

Big Ditch Derby

Jimmy Vaughn

        Jimmy Vaughan is know locally as "The Cowboy" for good reason.  He has been
thrilling crowds since 1978 with his renditions of well known country and western songs from the past five decades.  He has also been known to pull out an old rock & rock or Elvis tune.  Through the years Jimmy has performed as both a soloist and band leader at numerous venues throughout California's Central Coast and Central Valley.  He has pleased audiences with his music and amusing anecdotes at past Strawberry Festivals and local Farmers
Markets.  He fronts a five piece band comprised of the thinnest musicians on the planet.  He has squeezed them all into his compact discs!

 

President Abraham Lincoln and Lieutenant Colonel Roger Knox

        Mr. Abraham Lincoln, as portrayed by Don Ancell, brings to everyone the life and times of the 16th President of the United States during the time of the American Civil War, 1861-1865.  Don is the same height and weight as Mr. Lincoln and because of his remarkable resemblance to the real Abraham Lincoln, his presentation is more meaningful and realistic.  He reinforces the principals and importance of reading, good character, integrity, education and honesty with stories and anecdotes designed to capture the imaginations of everyone.  Don is a member of the Association of Lincoln presenters which is an organization that exists to keep Lincoln’s image alive.  The Association’s motto is: “Would that I might bring out the Lincoln in you all.”  He will deliver Mr. Lincoln’s Famous “Gettysburg Address” during the opening ceremonies on Friday evening.

        Appearing with the President is Lt. Colonel Roger Knox who portrays a Union Brigade Commander.  Knox takes the audience through fascinating events that occurred and gives an insight into unusual personalities that participated during the Great Conflict.  Roger’s grandfather was actually in the Civil War serving with the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers that fought on Little Roundtop at the battle of Gettysburg.  Roger’s background allows his portrayal to come alive as he recounts the lives of Civil War soldiers and the hardships that they suffered, both North and South.  He will present a Civil War Living History on Saturday afternoon.

 

Ballooney the Clown

       Always a favorite with the young and young at heart, Ballooney the Clown, aka, Mike Kilton, will perform for the Harvest Festival again this year.  Ballooney has been entertaining for more than 20 years throughout the United States, the Carribean and overseas, and has entertained in the Arroyo Grande area since 1994.

        He takes part in the morning Parade and then entertains the children in his "Kid Zone" on the Village Green all afternoon.  With hundreds of props and a wild imagination Ballooney keeps the kids in stitches all day!   Not only does he perform for the children but he
involves them in educational games and fun activities.
 

Kids Parade

        Last year Ballooney initiated his afternoon closing "Kid Parade"  This was a big hit and proves to be bigger and better this year!  The kids should gather with Ballooney next to the Rotary Bandstand at 4:00pm to receive their costumes and instructions.  Once all are in costume the group will parade around the Village Green, across the Swinging Bridge and end up circling through the Olohan Alley.   Parents are encouraged to join their small children since Ballooney will have a costume for them too!
 

Arroyo Grande High School Marching Band
 

The Arroyo Grande High School Marching Band battery is under the direction of Luke Youngs.  Drum Captains are Sydni Dunn and Steven McKecknie.  

 The Drum battery is an integral part of the marching band, providing beat and supporting the music with rhythm.  During the spring semester, the Battery and the “Pit” (keyboards and auxiliary percussion) combine forces to put on an indoor show of their very own in the gymnasium.

The marching band is a competitive group which participates in several field show competitions each fall.  This year they will travel to Merced, Thousand Oaks, Clovis, Woodland Hills and Monterey Park.  The Band will also appear locally at this year’s Clam Festival and Pismo Band Review.  The Band would like to invite you to see them perform here in Arroyo Grande on October 27th as they Host the 8^th annual Central Coast Classic field show competition at the AGHS stadium, starting at 6:00 p.m. Please come out and support the band.

Entertainment Schedule

2007 Harvest Festival Performance Schedules  as of  9/19/07 - subject to slight changes

Friday, September 28th

All performance events at the Olohan Gazebo.
4:00            Arroyo Grande High School Marching Band Battery
4:30            Studio of Performing Arts Dancers
5:15            President Lincoln – Gettysburg Address
5:30            National Anthem – Don Gugeler & the Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra
5:30            Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra  
6:30            Introduction of Grand Marshals
6:45            Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra
7:30            Clay the Banjo Man

Saturday, September 29th

Rotary Bandstand
12:00         Ballooney the Clown
12:30         Bud Mercer performance with Buddy Mercer & Clay Watkins
1:15           Ballooney the Clown
1:30           San Luis Obispo County Band  
2:20           Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Olympics Awards Ceremony
2:30           Studio of Performing Arts Dancers
3:00           Central Coast Follies Dancers
3:30           Optimists' Big Ditch Derby Awards Ceremony
3:45           Grand Marshals Presentation
4:00           Adult Spelling Bee - Gary Thompson as Pronouncer
4:00           Kids Parade participants assemble with Ballooney and Pres. Lincoln

Olohan Gazebo
11:45         Diaper Derby
12:30          2-Shea Duo
1:30           "The Cowboy" Jimmy Vaughan          
2:15            2-Shea Duo
3:00           Whiskerino Contest
3:15           "The Cowboy" Jimmy Vaughan
4:00            2-Shea Duo

Alley Stage
12:00          Robert Earl Longley   
1:00            Tim Vaughn's Bee and Honey Presentation
1:30            Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth Reenactment
2:00            Robert Earl Longley
3:00            Pres. Lincoln, Colonel Knox, Banjo Clay, Harriet Tubman & Sojourner Truth                                
                   (Civil War song sing along)
3:45            Tim Vaughn's Bee and Honey Presentation
4:00            Robert Earl Longley

Heritage House Gazebo
12:00          President Lincoln and Lt. Colonel Roger Knox
12:30          Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth Reenactment
1:30            Civil War Living History – at tent with Lincoln & Knox
2:00            Bud Mercer - meet and greet
3:00            Award Ceremony for Baking Contests
4:00            Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth Reenactment
 

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