Chris Higbee wraps up entertainment at festival
Chris Higbee performed a fun and energetic show that also had some sweet moments like this one when he and his son played the fiddle together for the first time ever on stage. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Donnie McVay, chairman of the entertainment at the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival, was very pleased with the musical acts that performed this year.
“The entertainers have been outstanding and it’s been a great festival from A to Z,” he said. “Everyone seemed to accept all the entertainment we had this year because the stands were fuller than ever before.”
Tom Roahrig, another member of the balloon festival committee agreed with McVay.
“You know you are doing something right when you look out at the crowd and see 75 percent of the people moving to the music,” Roahrig said.
On June 9 attendees of the festival heard from the Jason Pendola Band, on June 10 1950s a cappella group Blend and the British Invasion performed and on June 11 the McVay Brothers opened for headliner Chris Higbee.
“It was nice to be back home and see everybody,” said Ryan McVay from the McVay Brothers. “It’s a laid back and easy gig. It was fun to open up for Chris too. We’ve done it before and know him. Chris also has a good crew with him.”
Higbee, who played at the Coshocton County Fair in 2012, was excited to be back in town.
“I like the people here,” he said. “I had a lot of fun here and fell in love with the people and this place.”
Higbee promised to present an energetic and fun show, which he did. He jumped off the stage and performed for people in the track side seating, went into the top rows of the grandstand seating to interact with fans and even played a little fiddle on top of his RV.
Later on in the concert a fiddle purchased by the balloon festival committee and signed by Higbee was presented to Roahrig for his Higher Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center annual auction, which will be held Dec. 3 at River View High School.
“I really do enjoy charity work and try to do as much as I can,” Higbee said.
He also shared some special moments on the stage with his son who sang “Ring of Fire” with him and also joined him for a little fiddle playing.
“The entertainment gets better and better each year,” said Patty Wherley, from the balloon festival committee. “Donnie does an amazing job.”
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