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Bringin' Back the 80s Fest set for April 26-27

  The Bringin’ Back the 80s Fest is aging very gracefully.

  Festival President Jeanna Rogner and her committee will be celebrating the event’s 15^th anniversary this year. The two-day fest focuses on all things in the 1980s – the period of time that took place nearly four decades ago.

  The fest will be Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, from 6pm until midnight in Heritage Park’s Harvey Kern Community Pavilion.

  Tickets are $12 per person both days. Saturday evening is pre-sale only and persons must be age 21 or older to enter. Zehnder noted Saturday is close to being sold out. There is no age limit on Friday. All online ticket sales end at 5pm Friday, April 26, or when sold out.

  All proceed from the 80s Fest go to cancer-related causes in the memory of Jeanna’s mother, Jill Zehnder.

  “Last year we were able to donate over $86,000 to cancer-related causes and since 2006, we have donated over $431,000,” Rogner stated.

  The Best Dressed Competition registration will take place 6-7pm Friday evening, followed by the breakdancing show at 6:45pm. The Best Dressed Contest will take place at 7:30pm.

  The band RockStar will perform 8pm until midnight. Billed as “the international 80s rock sensation, the five-member band will bring the energy, sights, sounds and excitement of 80s rock music. The group plays hit tunes from GunsNRoses, Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison, Cinderella, Warrant, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Van Halen and more

   RockStar was voted the �st Band. Covers” by Detroit Hour Magazine for two years. The band includes lead singer Ken Lewandowski, guitar players Jaime Trevino and Steve Lane, bass player Mike Scott and drummer Matt Giacona.

  Saturday is always crazy at the 80s Fest, hence the usual sell out. Like Friday, the evening will begin with Best Dressed registration 6-6:30pm, however, everything else is moved up 30 minutes. The breakdancing show is at 6:15pm, the Best Dressed Contest at 7pm and the first band, Slick Jimmy, takes the stage at 7:30pm. The band Square Pegz will begin its performance at 9:10pm and end at midnight.

  Slick Jimmy was put together in 2011 as a good time party band with four experienced musicians from some of the area’s top bands. The band members are lead vocalist Lindsie Ann, lead vocalist and bass player Matt Palmer, drummer and vocalist Jeff Lepczynski and guitar player and vocalist Dave Miller.

  Detroit-based Square Pegz band has been a staple group at the 80s Fest for years. Band members include vocalist Cassady, vocalist and keyboard player Ruby Red, vocalist and guitar player Dirty Dan, vocalist and bass player Ray and drummer Carol D. The band was founded in 2006 and bills itself as “the most wicked pop band around.”

  The pavilion will also have memorabilia displays, video and arcade games, photo roamers, hair salon, food and drink, music videos and more. The building and tent are heated and parking is free.

  Rogner is also providing free bus shuttle to and from all Frankenmuth and Birch Run hotels and Jellystone Campground. They are Frankenmuth School District busses. The loop will begin at 5:30pm both days and end when everyone has left the park grounds.

 Jeanna is joined by her sisters Jodi Reinert and Juli Cleary, cousin Shelley Van Wormer and husband Tim Rogner on the fest committee.

  The Bringin’ Back the 80s Fest main sponsors are Miller Lite, Covenant HealthCare and Schaefer & Bierlein Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep with additional sponsorship from the Frankenmuth Credit Union, Valley OB-GYN, Blue Flame Propane, Wieland Truck Sales, Birch Run Convention & Visitors Bureau. Other assisting in funding and in-kind help include Precision Fleet Image, Subway, General RV Center, Lingle Equipment, Rau’s Country Store, Weiss Equipment, Frankenmuth Motel, Insta-glow, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, ABO Tent Events and Premier Promotions.

  For more information, contact info@80sfest.org or call or text Rogner at 989-652-8008.

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