Officials at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum are preparing the final details of Saturday’s Downtown ROMP: Air Show After Party event, focusing on bringing the vibe of the popular June music festival at Yellow Creek Park to the Owensboro riverfront.
“Even though Saturday’s event takes place on our outdoor stage, Downtown ROMP attendees can expect to be wowed not only by great music, but a visual component as well,” said Carly Smith, marketing director for the Hall of Fame. “Expect laser lights, colorful art installations, hands-on activities for kids and much more.”
Smith said choosing the weekend of Owensboro Air Show for Downtown ROMP was an obvious choice for the Hall of Fame.
“The Owensboro Air Show has become a staple on the riverfront, and it seemed ideal to throw a party on the outdoor stage when thousands are expected at our backdoor,” she said.
Aircraft for the air show will take flight at 1 p.m. Saturday, while music on the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s outdoor stage cranks up at 4 p.m. Smith said ticket holders can enjoy the air show on the Hall of Fame lawn, then swing their chairs around to watch some ROMP-favorite bands.
The event is targeted for all age demographics. Presenting sponsor Owensboro Health will be on hand with a rock painting station and the Hall of Fame is providing sidewalk chalk area, an instrument petting zoo, a hula hoop station and bubbles.
“Every ROMP has to have bubbles,” Smith said.
Smith says that although the bands for Saturday’s performance will be bluegrass, all music lovers will enjoy the show.
“We’re playing off the ‘after party’ theme by having bands that have played the ROMP after party stage in June,” she said. “Bluegrass lovers will appreciate the musicianship, but non-bluegrass fans will definitely be entertained.”
All four bands bring a different style to string music, Smith said.
“California-based Dustbowl Revival has a soulful feel and includes horns, and Scythian is a celtic mainstay that will have people jumping in unison,” she said. “Rumpke Mountain Boys are a regional jam band favorite, and Hogslop String Band is a high-octane string band.”
According to Smith, tickets are selling fast considering this is the first Downtown ROMP, and space is limited.
“We’re nearing the point that it wouldn’t surprise us if we sold out considering the large crowds already on hand for the air show,” she said.
Lawn seating tickets are $15, and kids 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Also included with lawn tickets is admission to indoor theater where Top Gun will run twice during the day. VIP tickets include riverfront balcony views for the air show, a catered meal, self-guided exhibit tours of the Hall of Fame, heavy hors d’oeuvres and more. Tickets can be purchased here.
This is a non-camping urban festival and no coolers are allowed. People do need to bring their own chairs or blankets if they wish to have a seat on the lawn. Food trucks will be onsite, featuring ROMP Festival favorites Fresh by Gene’s, J’s Good Grub and Lil’ Cheezers. The ROMP ‘Sky Lounge’ bar will be serving up regional craft beers and cocktails.
