Aaron Tippin, a singer-songwriter who graduated Blue Ridge High School, will perform during Saturday night’s event. Tippin, who plays acoustics guitar, will have his band with him and will give Greer one of its highest-profile entertainers since the festival began.
Country music singer Aaron Tippin will highlight the 2012 Village Hospital Greer Family Fest. The 28th anniversary for the two-day event is scheduled Friday May 4 and Saturday May 5.
The singer-songwriter who graduated Blue Ridge High School will perform during Saturday night’s event. Tippin, who plays acoustics guitar, will have his band with him and will give Greer one of its highest-profile entertainers since the festival began.
Allen Smith, CEO/President of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce, made the announcement at the chamber’s office this afternoon. Smith and the Family Fest board, with support from Village Hospital, began the process to obtain Tippin quickly after the conclusion of last year’s most successful festival on record.
“All I can say is I am truly humbled to offer Allen Tippin to this community for free to such as big event in Greer,” Smith said. Tippin and his band’s appearance may give City Park a challenge to accommodate the expected record crowd. The amphitheatre will be used as an overflow and big screens will be provided for viewing from all angles and distances.
“It is heartwarming to see the city of Greer and Village Hospital give us the support and opportunity to get Aaron Tippin,” Smith said.
Smith presented the idea to the city’s Partnership for Tomorrow and was encouraged to pursue Tippin for this year’s festival. “Obviously we were excited and took a deep breath when he agreed to perform in Greer. We realize all the work we have ahead of us.”
Smith said Tippin is among his favorite artists. “I have him on my Pandora list and his lyrics are often in my mind,” Smith said. “His music represents patriotism, family values and blue collar, hard working people.”
Tippin was the first country entertainer to travel with Bob Hope to the Persian Gulf to entertain U.S. troops in 1991. His 1990 hit, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” which he performed on that tour, is a country music standard.
The past 10 years Tippin has spent Thanksgiving in Afghanistan entertaining troops as part of the Stars For Stripes organization.
Last year Tippin gave Blue Ridge 1,050 Cds to sell for $10 in “The Blue Ridge Project, Giving Back.” The CD featured nine songs Tippin and his friends produced. The proceeds helped fund school programs and activities.
This year’s festival will include the Anne Helton Creation Station, KidsZone, Food Court and Smith said more vendors are expected. The layout of the festival last year broadened the vendors’ space and made use of the City Park’s promenade as the Food Court.