Drum Fest will bring beat to Firestone Park

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

Drum Fest will return to Firestone Park this Sunday, featuring demonstrations by professional drummers and an attempt to enter Guinness World Records.

Last year’s inaugural event was such a success that the sponsor, Universal Percussion of Columbiana, decided to bring Drum Fest back, and bigger than ever. Returning will be Charlie Adams, the drummer for Yanni, who will perform.

John Sferra, drummer for Glass Harp, also will be featured in a concert with The Fuzz. Other performers will include Tom Shelley, a drummer and president of Universal Percussion; and the South Range High School marching band.

Pizza, hot dogs, chips and bottled water will be given away at the event, which will run from 3 to 10 p.m.

Luke Balogh of Universal Percussion is the coordinator of Drum Fest. He said the event is partly educational and partly a giveback to the community.

“We’re hoping to get folks from the surrounding areas this year,” he said. Although high-school bands and music stores are the chief targets, Drum Fest is not just for drummers and students, stressed Balogh. In fact, this year’s event is part of the annual concert series at Firestone Park.

About 500 people showed up last year, and Balogh — who is also the drummer for local rock band Relic — is expecting to triple that number this Sunday. A giant tent that can hold 1,500 people will be set up.

One highlight of Drum Fest will be an attempt to crack the Guinness World Records with the world’s largest musical bar chime. The current record, according to Balogh, is 1,000 chimes stretching 60 feet. “Ours is 1,221 bars and is 75 feet long,” said Balogh.

The Fuzz will perform while Universal Percussion’s Shelley plays the chimes, which are about 4 feet high. A video team and a notary will be on hand to record the event.