The SummerFest events continue weekly in Vandalia all summer long, promising upcoming events while highlighting past successes. Also, look for the Anthony Trissell Memorial purple tents at the Vandalia Recreation Center from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. They will pass out free bubbles with the Vandalia United Methodist Church folks. Vandalia’s annual fireworks show falls on a Wednesday this year.

In June, SummerFest’s opening night was a success. There were performances by Mike Copenhaver and Bad Optics, and Mike Copenhaver brought a nice following for the first hour of SummerFest 2024 and did not disappoint. Mike will return to SummerFest on July 31 at 5:00 p.m. Bad Optics increased the audience, with many attending to witness Mr. Kevin Wilson’s percussion skills. Bad Optics rocked the place with favorite selections from Carlos Santana, Chicago, Electric Light Orchestra, and many more! Bad Optics returns to SummerFest on July 24.

For opening night, the Anthony Trissell Memorial Foundation folks were very pleased with the attendance and performances. “A huge shout out goes to the fine folks at Vandalia UMC as Anthony’s Memorial Foundation was able to move inside fellowship hall at Vandalia UMC and save our event which would have been rained out.”

On June 19th, Mike Soloman performed in the gazebo, followed by a performance by Nawty Dawg at 8 p.m. Local vendors were set up to sell products, the first 100 attendees received a free measuring tape provided by Alterations by Laura Marie, and the ShowDogs hot dog food truck also made an appearance.

On June 26, Inner Marvel, a featured vendor, sold candles, soap, and diffusers, and the Momma’z Boyz food truck, a fan favorite, made an appearance. The rock band Outlets were the featured performers.

The Summerfest, presented by the Anthony Trissell Memorial Foundation, will take place all summer long on Wednesdays from 5 – 8 p.m. in Henry Seger Park, located at 100-199 Perry Street in Vandalia.

Dates include June 5-26 and July 10 through August 21.

The Anthony Trissell Memorial Foundation was started by his classmates immediately after his passing in 2016. The class of 2018, Anthony Trissell’s class, started a GoFundMe page. Eventually, funds were converted to a 501(c)3 non-profit, and the Anthony Trissell Memorial Foundation was named the 2020 non-profit of the year by the Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce. Please stop by Anthony’s Memorial tent during SummerFest where a large percentage of Avon bug guard purchases and other donations will go directly to Anthony’s Memorial Foundation.

Dates for the Summerfest will feature LIVE Music, so bring a lawn chair! Plus, raffle baskets, weekly prizes for the first 100 people who attend, local vendors and produce, community announcements, free children’s activities, and much more! For more information, please contact Susan Trissell at 937-750-5545.