Tribute bands 'Rock the Bell' at 2025 Festival of the Bells
CAPTURED Louisville, above, and Simply Queen performed Friday night at the Festival of the Bells. (HCP Photos/Stephen and Caitlin Forsha)
The inaugural “Rock the Bell” night at the Festival of the Bells, sponsored by Hillsboro Eagles 1161, proved to be a hit Friday night at the Highland County Fairgrounds with concerts by Journey tribute band CAPTURED Louisville and Queen tribute band Simply Queen.
CAPTURED Louisville was the first concert of the night at 7 p.m., performing a wide variety of Journey’s greatest hits including “Anytime,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Feeling That Way,” “Lights,” “Open Arms” and “Stone In Love,” as well as Journey frontman Steve Perry’s hit “Oh Sherrie.” Across the fairgrounds, festivalgoers joined in singing the final song of CAPTURED Louisville’s set, the classic “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
At 9 p.m., Simply Queen took the stage and treated crowds to everything from early singles such as “Keep Yourself Alive” to hits like “A Kind of Magic,” “Killer Queen,” “One Vision” and “Tie Your Mother Down” to arena anthems like “We Will Rock You” and the classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Committee president Tom Zile commented on the beautiful evening, saying they “couldn’t ask for a better night” for the shows. He told the crowds that this free three-day festival costs approximately $80,000, which would not be possible without the support of the businesses and community members who donate each year.
“We want you to support our local sponsors,” Zile said.
Along with the concert series, this year’s festival includes a wide variety of food vendors, plus crafts and other items for sale.
Activities Friday included bingo, a coloring contest, the “battle of the banks,” Jake Lindsey’s illusions show, a cornhole tournament and an armed service and veteran recognition.
The fun continues Saturday with the Firecracker 5K Walk/Run at 8 a.m., followed by a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Hillsboro Elementary at 9 a.m. The busy schedule throughout the day includes the annual pet parade and baby parade, a car show, a parade, kids pedal tractor pulls
, yard games and the annual auction.
Saturday’s concert slate will begin with Over the Herd, a blues, folk and Americana trio, followed by local artists Kyle Norris, Sean Poole & Buckin Krazy as opening acts for headliner Ricochet, a successful country music group for nearly 30 years.
For schedule changes and other updates, please follow the committee on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/festivalofthebells.
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