Gates open 10 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Distinctive Gardens, 2020 Lowell Park Road, Dixon, IL. Featuring 9 bands 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; art festival 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; food vendors 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; raffle, 50/50 and Tie Dye contest 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Shuttle Service 10 a.m. – Midnight. Lee Ogle County Transit will provide extra service during the rush between 8:00 p.m. and midnight. There are no drop offs at the front gate. Three shuttle tents are located on the south end of Shopko / County Market parking lot. If needed, secondary parking opens behind the CGH Dixon Clinic. Parking signs alert when lots are full, open, or closed. Both lots are near the corner of Galena Ave. and Lowell Park Rd. Carpooling is highly encouraged.
Picnic style: bring your own cooler, chair, or blanket. Minimum donation is $10 online or $13 at the gate for adults 13 and up; $1 children 12 and under. LIMITED tickets and tents go on sale Monday, June 17, 7AM. Visit distinctivegardensinc.com website to order. 815.285.0014.
11:00 - 12:00 Sweet-T
12:15 - 1:15 The Chicksie Dix
1:30 - 2:30 Kris Donaldson & Friends
2:45 - 3:45 Jenny Lynn Stacy & The Dirty Roosters
4:00 - 5:00 Finding Home
5:15 - 6:15 Nova
6:30 - 7:45 Lojo Russo
8:00 - 9:15 Sugar Lime Blue
9:30 - 11:00 Acoustic Circus
11:00, Sweet T opens the show. This Chicago area band plays a broad range of jazz, country and rock music. Musicians include: lead vocalist, Melanie Thompson, guitar Bill Thompson and drums Ken Schultz
Next up at 12:15, The Chicksie Dix amp up the shenanigans. Remix veteran Gardenstock bands of days past and you come up with these guys. Former Route 88 band member, Dayton Reuter on lead guitar. Drew Dillon, bass and Tim Lawson, drums are former members of The Hershey Squirts. And Jim Seavey holds the crew in check on rhythm guitar. They offer up rollicking versions of Rock classics from ABBA, The Go-Gos and Badfinger. Add to that the groovy 12 string sound of The Byrds.
At 1:30, Kris Donaldson & Friends takes stage. Six years ago Kris made her first Gardenstock debut. Since then she’s worked her musical craft down in Branson, MO. She’s currently recording at Atlantis Recording Studio.
2:45 brings on the fun with Davenport, IA band, Jenny Lynn Stacy & The Dirty Roosters. They fry up an eclectic mix of bluegrass, old timey country-punk, and southern rock(abilly). And toss in some sweet little additions of funk, and beats that are so, so fresh. Band members include: Jenny Lynn Stacy, Shayne Quade, Joel Swanson, and Mark Gordon. They will be squeezing a sponge full of melodic rainbows into your ears. They are currently recording a full length album to be out before Christmas.
4:00, Finding Home is local folk rock band made up of five siblings. The vocal musical styling of Maddie and Marykate exude excitement on the stage. Molly brings many years of experience and improv with her violin and piano, while Max and Menter are the backbone of the group on drums and bass. The family connection between the five makes their music and on-stage chemistry like none other. They play Rock & Roll with a splash of folk. Their original work is authentic, inspiring, and fun. Their album, “Here I Go”, tells the story of their beginnings as a band.
At 5:15, NOVA takes stage. If you dig strong women this band’s for you. NOVA lead singer, Crystal Collinson and crew dish up a fantastic array of music. Their style, including originals, ranges from classic to alternative rock. Add to that a hearty dose of crunchy grunge favorites.
6:30 brings, Lojo Russo. Lojo Russo is a powerhouse. Described as a songwriter with a lot of lyrical power. And a guitarist with powerful playing. And a singer with one hell of a voice. Her live performances rocket crowds. Lojo performs with the energy and rocking empowerment of Ani DiFranco. And the graceful folksiness of the Indigo Girls and the gritty blues of Susan Tedeschi. Her new album “Fresh Oil…Loose Gravel” released in May.
8:00, Sugar Lime Blue makes a Gardenstock stopover. Currently their on tour for their third, full length, album, “Narcoluptuous”. Single, "Rainbow" has already garnered attention in Alternative Root Rock listings. This band’s juicy, mesmerizing sound is redefining Americana. It draws from the 3 main American stylings of Jazz, Blues and Country, to create a purely unique sound.
Closing the show at 9:45, Acoustic Circus electric/acoustic rock in the vein of jam and festival music. Solid rhythm, impressive leads and great vocals make for a fun show!
From 10:00 - 6:00 PM the Art Festival showcases 40 of the region’s best artists. "Art Alley" features a variety of unusual art and fine craft. Sinnissippi Center Garden Program kids sell handmade tie-dye t-shirts. Veteran Gardenstock artists are back. Jewelers include: Sasha Tweel, Natalie Picchi, Dale Curry, Kim Ellis, Laura LaGear Adkins, and Lin Karrels. Painters include: Deb Cleary, Emily Cotton Cram, Casey Folks, Tim Drane, and Leslie Davis. Sculptors include: Sloane Wolfe, Matt and Michelle Jagitsch. Photographers Kevin Smoot and Henry Matthiessen return. Mixed Media artists abound. Heather Houzenga runs a shop right out of her vintage VW Bus in "Art Alley". More include: Crystal Collinson, Amber Goldie, Natalie Gordon, and Lisa Anderson. Jayne DeMarco offers up fun and funky "Bead Sprites". Clothing, flower crowns, garden decor are a few examples of Mixed Media. Judi Alvarado Kickel, Susi Alvarado Daniel, Kate Gross, and Laura McGarvey return. Lee Ann Breitbach, Stephanie Weems, Toni Larimore, and Jesey Nicholson. Ramon Ramirez offers blown glasswork. Toni Klingler, Katie Feldbush, Chris Sucholl. Amy Fenwick, Thomas O’Malley, and Kelsey Rankin round out Mixed Media. New artists include: mixed media, Tony Schreiber and Marie McDonough.
Gardenstock is “picnic style’’. People can bring a chair or blanket and cooler or beverage. From 11 – 8 p.m., food vendors offer a fine range of beverage and cuisine. Mama Cimino’s offers Italian food. Baker Street Café serves barbeques and desserts. Kokomo’s loads up Italian beef sandwiches. Former Frontera Chef, Mark Segura grills up brisket tacos. And Hey Brother’s Ice Cream dishes up tasty ice cream treats.
Entrants get their picture taken 11:00-3:00 PM. Voting occurs on Facebook 3:00-6:00 PM. Most ‘likes’ on Distinctive Gardens Facebook Tie Dye Contest album wins.
This year’s raffle Includes over two dozen artworks donated by Gardenstock artists. A catalog on Distinctive Gardens website lists offerings. Buy raffle and 50/50 tickets at the Info Booth starting at 11:00 or from raffle ticket sellers. Raffle drawing times: 2:15, 3:30, 4:45, 6:00 PM. 50/50 drawing is at 7:45 PM.
Limited Special Rate Tickets available online June 17 through July 31. Pre-sold Ticket Wristbands cost $10 online at distinctivegardensinc.com. Remaining tickets are $13 at the gate for adults 13 and up. Children wristbands cost $1 both online and at the gate. Once available tickets sell out, day of ticket purchases will stop.
Tent Reserve sells fast with limited availability. Tent reserve is $40. Orders will fill based on order timestamp and availability. People should list at least their top ten favorite tent numbers in order of preference. List them in the comments field within the online order.
For the benefit of everyone, guests cannot bring large tables or any tents. This is so everyone can have a great view. However, coolers, blankets, lawn chairs and small, close-to-the-ground tables remain allowed.
The Youth Garden Program provides valuable hands-on gardening experiences for at risk youth. The program is a great tool to open lines of communication with Sinnissippi clients. The Gardening Program serves as an add-on to regular services. Produce raised from the program in turn is donated to the Dixon Food Pantry.