Jakefest 2010 by Jonathan Schinke
When tragedy strikes it can be difficult, sometimes impossible, to weather the storm and move forward. In the case of the Deringer family, they've not only weathered the storm, they've helped clear the skies for everyone else around them. Four years ago, the Deringer's lost their beloved son and brother, Jake, who sadly passed away while swimming in the Redgranite Quarry. Since then, the Deringer's have played an important role in trying to make sure that this never happens again.
On June 18th and 19th, the 4th annual Jakefest will take place in Redgranite, WI, honoring the memory of Jake Deringer. Jakefest is a FREE 2 day outdoor music and camping festival held at the First Chance, Last Chance Saloon, owned by Jake's parents, Vince and Cathy Deringer. Along with Jake's brother, Frank, the Deringer's have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the past few years, all of which has been allocated to the Redgranite Dive Team, scholarship funds, benefits and other community causes. Their impact in the community is an absolute testament to what people are capable of, even in the hardest of times.
In addition to the charitable nature of this festival, Jakefest is widely known for the high quality musical acts that contribute to the weekend. The 2010 line-up carries on that torch. Friday night will feature two of the Fox Valley's premiere original bands. Rock/reggae band, Snook, will be performing from about 6pm-8pm. The evening's headliner will be the Appleton trance/jam band, Ifdakar. Frank Deringer happens to be the newest member of this exciting band, and this show is bound to be a crowd mover. The tail end of Ifdakar's set will feature a fireworks display, a tradition normally reserved for Saturday night.
Saturday will feature all sorts of fun for the whole family including a kid's carnival, clowns, and face painting. The adults can have their share of fun too, with the Tavern Tug-O-War Challenge, Bingo, $1 beers in the Beer Garden, lots of live music and more. Saturday's bands include Jesse & the Boys, Don Passarelli, Planet Smasher's, Smokin' Crawdads featuring Vince Deringer, and the Stacks Edward Band. Saturday night's headliner will be the Mark Joseph Project from Minneapolis. The Mark Joseph Project features guitarist Mark Grundhoefer, known for his work with bands such as Down Lo, The Willie Waldman Project, Particle, and The North Indiana All-Stars. Fireworks will accompany this set as well. To finish off the weekend, Appleton improv/dance/jam band, Ghetto Blaster, will perform inside until bar close.
On June 18th and 19th, the 4th annual Jakefest will take place in Redgranite, WI, honoring the memory of Jake Deringer. Jakefest is a FREE 2 day outdoor music and camping festival held at the First Chance, Last Chance Saloon, owned by Jake's parents, Vince and Cathy Deringer. Along with Jake's brother, Frank, the Deringer's have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the past few years, all of which has been allocated to the Redgranite Dive Team, scholarship funds, benefits and other community causes. Their impact in the community is an absolute testament to what people are capable of, even in the hardest of times.
In addition to the charitable nature of this festival, Jakefest is widely known for the high quality musical acts that contribute to the weekend. The 2010 line-up carries on that torch. Friday night will feature two of the Fox Valley's premiere original bands. Rock/reggae band, Snook, will be performing from about 6pm-8pm. The evening's headliner will be the Appleton trance/jam band, Ifdakar. Frank Deringer happens to be the newest member of this exciting band, and this show is bound to be a crowd mover. The tail end of Ifdakar's set will feature a fireworks display, a tradition normally reserved for Saturday night.
Saturday will feature all sorts of fun for the whole family including a kid's carnival, clowns, and face painting. The adults can have their share of fun too, with the Tavern Tug-O-War Challenge, Bingo, $1 beers in the Beer Garden, lots of live music and more. Saturday's bands include Jesse & the Boys, Don Passarelli, Planet Smasher's, Smokin' Crawdads featuring Vince Deringer, and the Stacks Edward Band. Saturday night's headliner will be the Mark Joseph Project from Minneapolis. The Mark Joseph Project features guitarist Mark Grundhoefer, known for his work with bands such as Down Lo, The Willie Waldman Project, Particle, and The North Indiana All-Stars. Fireworks will accompany this set as well. To finish off the weekend, Appleton improv/dance/jam band, Ghetto Blaster, will perform inside until bar close.
The support Jakefest receives every year reveals what the Deringer's mean to the community of Redgranite and beyond. Through a tragedy, lives have been enlightened, bettered and even saved. It's people like this that show us all how to extend a hand to one another in the darkest of hours, assuring us that this storm too, will pass.
