Circleville celebrates Ted Lewis Music Festival

2006 TED LEWIS MUSIC FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF CIRCLEVILLE’S FAVORITE SON

On Sunday, May 21, Ted Lewis Park will be filled with music fans to celebrate the music and the memory of Circleville’s "Favorite Son", Ted Lewis. The Ted Lewis Music Festival will honor the bandleader, musician, vaudeville icon and film star, whose trademark battered top hat and familiar, "Is everybody happy?" captivated audiences all over the world. Festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will last until approximately 5:00 p.m. The musical entertainment will feature a number of outstanding professional jazz groups, including The West End Jazz Band from Chicago, Dwight Lenox, and Andre Keller and the Sounds of Dixie. The Everts Middle School 7th Grade Choir and The Westfall High School Jazz Band will also perform, providing a link between the veteran jazz players and the young student musicians who are just now learning of the wide-ranging influence of Ted Lewis.

The Ted Lewis Museum will be offering special souvenir items for sale, including a Ted Lewis Music Festival T-Shirt, as well as top hats. Food concessions will be handled by the Pickaway Shrine Club. “We Be Clowns” will also be on hand to entertain young and old between the hours of 12:30 and 2:30 pm.

The Ted Lewis Music Festival will be held at Ted Lewis Park on North Court Street in Circleville. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine in the middle of the park. Picnic tables will be provided for seating, but music fans can bring lawn chairs and blankets if they wish.

For more information, contact the Ted Lewis Museum at (740) 477-3630, Charlie Jackson at 1-740-412-5281, or visit www.pickaway.com on the internet.