Music fest to help fund ball fields for developmentally disabled

The band TNT will be one of about 13 bands set to perform on Aug. 1 at the inaugural Summer Music Charity Festival at Rick's Tavern in Fairfield.

Greg Lynch/Staff file photo The band TNT will be one of about 13 bands set to perform on Aug. 1 at the inaugural Summer Music Charity Festival at Rick's Tavern in Fairfield.

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 8:57 AM Friday, July 30, 2010

FAIRFIELD — The inaugural Summer Music Charity Festival will help fulfill a “dream.”

The fest is the creation of Rick’s Tavern co-owner Steve Minnielli, Steve Hacker of The IROCS and Kim Masters of After Midnight.

Set for noon to midnight Sunday, Aug. 1, at Rick’s Tavern, 5955 Boymel Drive, the event will showcase 13 bands from Greater Cincinnati and have a festival atmosphere.

The event’s proceeds will support the Field of Dreams project, two rubberized fields on Groh Lane for the developmentally disabled to play softball or baseball.

It will be the home for the Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled’s softball league.

“We were real excited when we first heard about it,” said Steve Smith, one of the lead project coordinators.

“Of all the great causes out there, for them to choose us as the first ones to support, it’s an honor.”

The event was organized within six weeks by Minnielli, Hacker, Masters and Rick’s Tavern employee Jena Meiners.

“Yes, we are trying to raise money, but we want the community to come together so they can just enjoy the day,” Minnielli said.

The Field of Dreams project seemed to be a natural choice since it was a dream for former Reds baseball pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, Minnielli said. Nuxhall died in November 2007.

The groundbreaking has been delayed until winter. About $300,000 is still needed to meet the $1.6 million goal.

The bands, including TNT, After Midnight, The IROCS, and Dangerous Jim and the Slims, all donated their time.

In addition to music, there will be a dunk tank, face painting, raffles and split-the-pot.

The Fairfield Fire Department will conduct a “Fill-the-Boot” campaign at the event.

Minnielli said he anticipates a crowd of 600-800 at the event.

Sponsorships will be available until the day of the event. Admission is free.

For more, e-mail Minnielli at steve@rickstavern.com.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com. Follow at twitter.com/mdpitman.

How to go

What: Summer Music Charity Festival

When: Noon to midnight Sunday, Aug. 1

Where: Rick’s Tavern, 5955 Boymel Drive