By: Jenafur Schlangen
Canton, Illinois is a tight-knit community situated southwest of Peoria and north of the State’s capital, Springfield. It may be considered a quintessential “small town,” yet it is a town with a rich history and full of residents who encompass a shit-ton of tenacity and even more spunk. After all, their high school mascot is endearingly identified as a ‘Little Giant,’ and, believe me, nothing could be more truthful.
Just to give a brief summary and/or perspective: Canton has endured two major (more than) unfortunate events in its history, both within a mere ten years of one another. The first occurrence happened in 1975. This is when the entire city was almost completely leveled by an F3 tornado. Then, in 1983, the city’s largest employer, International Harvester, closed its doors, forcing thousands to leave for brighter “pastures” elsewhere. Both events left this small yet mighty town stunned, yet, incredibly, strengthened their ‘Little Giant’ spirit to rebuild, re-adjust, and remember ‘what was’ before moving onto what could and eventually would be a brighter future for all.
But, Canton is not, nor wants to be, known only for their unfortunate circumstances and events. It should also be known for its giving nature, its generosity, and, most importantly, its love of music. Perhaps it should be mentioned that the band, The Doors graced its high school auditorium just days prior to appearing on the Ed Sullivan show back in 1967. That’s sort of a big deal, right? You bet your ass it is! So, it should be of no surprise that it was in Canton where the Central Illinois Music Festival was born, on August 27-28, 2021, FREE for everyone to attend. And, it was then and there, I was able to witness that ‘Little Giant’ spirit , the community’s generosity, and its incredible music taste/talent firsthand.
First, it should be boldly noted that this music festival would have never come to fruition without the the above-mentioned spirit and tenacity of two of Canton’s most influential music legends and/or music promoters, Ken Huggins and Bob Long. Both of these two men are legendary in their own right, having spent most of their lives working with, in, and around music within the local area. For instance, Ken Huggins is not only a local historian, author, and publisher, he also fronted the classic rock band, Alter Ego for at least two decades. And, Bob Long has been the go-to guy for music in town, owning the best music (and instrument) store in Central Illinois, Shandi’s Music & More, not to mention his decades long career in promoting music and sporting events within the entire State of Illinois. In that, it was both of these two guys who organized and made certain they had everything supplied in order to put on the wildly successful and first ever, Central Illinois Music Festival.
The festival was held on the outskirts of Canton within the small festival grounds owned by Josie B’s bar. Also located within Josie B’s is Blondie’s Roast Beef, one of the best restaurants within a 50-mile radius, who supplied lucky festival goers with (beyond) delicious eats, such as pulled chicken, pulled pork, pork chops, chips, etc., all at an extremely reasonable price. Owned by Ken Huggins (mentioned above) and his wife, Lori McLouth, it seemed natural to see their tent proudly displayed within the festival grounds, emitting the most intoxicating aromas, of which I, personally, was happy to see and quickly indulge upon my arrival. Also located on the grounds were a beer/cocktail tent, as well as a space reserved solely for Tazewell Animal Protective Society (TAPS), a No-Kill animal shelter that gives dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens a home until permanent homes can be found. Both tents were occupied with the friendliest, most down to earth individuals I have ever encountered at an extremely busy music festival. It was again where I witnessed that tenacity, spunk, and giving nature as mentioned above, not to mention the several volunteers who donated tents, sound, lighting and stage equipment, all because the City only donated a very small amount in order to make this event a success.
Curious as to why the City only supplied a (very) small amount of money to help facilitate this event, I was able to speak with one of the City’s Zoning Department employees. It was during that conversation I discovered the reasoning behind its lack of funding. You see, the property where Josie B’s is located is facilitated and partially governed by the County of Fulton, not the City of Canton proper, as designated by the bar owners themselves relating to liquor license obtainment. So, regardless of the City’s lack of funding (and alleged lack enthusiasm), it was those who directly stepped up, organized, and donated (those “little giants”) who were indeed responsible for the success of this event. Hopefully, next year and the years following, organizers will reach out to other surrounding communities and Counties, in order to encompass more of Central Illinois, as the fest’s title suggests.
Although there were dozens of bands who took part in the fest, there was the Friday night headliner who clearly set the bar and was likely the hardest act to follow, Wild America. Hailing from the East Coast and looking as if they just stepped off of the set of Sons of Anarchy, this four-piece guitar-driven rock band undoubtedly rocked the world of those in attendance and likely the foundations of houses within several square miles.
Despite the absence of the band’s usual vocalist, Joe Labbadia, due to being a professional golfer and having a tournament the next morning, it was guest vocalist, Andre Vanchot who picked up the mic and rocked the band’s set without even a hiccup. The band’s copacetic nature and ability to gel is of no surprise, given the fact that these artists also make up Van Halen cover band, Stairway to Halen, who were also amazing in their own right.
When I asked organizer, Bob Long, how he came across such an amazing original band and one who would be willing to travel to the cornfields of Illinois from the East Coast to play a first ever music festival, his response was quick and confident, “Because they’re my friends and they’re good people.” Also, he added, that the band normally plays a yearly music festival that Long organizes in nearby Peoria and when the band was notified that that particular festival was not going to happen due to COVID-19, they all agreed that Canton would be the next best thing. And, knowing how both organizers, Huggins and Long were footing the bill out of their own personal pockets, the band eagerly offered to pay for their own airfare and all other travel costs, just to be a part of this inaugural music festival…for their friend. A class “act,” indeed.
All in all, I would say that organizers of this event deserve a wholehearted round of applause, as well as the dozens of volunteers and bands that participated and/or donated in order to make this event a success…with or without the limited dollars provided by the City. Honestly, I am looking forward to next year and the years to come. I just hope next time, I am able to attend the entire event, not just one brief evening. Speaking of which, it was on the last night of the fest, I could almost hear the set of Omaha, Nebraska band, Midnight Devils all the way up to my home in Chicago. Well, maybe not that far but the buzz of their set certainly made its way to me, via text messages, emails, etc., asking how I could have possibly missed it.
So, let’s all raise our glass to a small-town success story and cheers to its future: The 2nd Annual Central Illinois Music Festival and many more to come!
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