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Hundreds help disabled at Royal Oaks' Pabstolutely Festival
YOUNGSTOWN
Everybody might not know your name at Royal Oaks bar, but you’re welcome anyway.
On Saturday, Royal Oaks, which Louie Kennedy, co-owner with his brother, John, called the gateway to the city’s East Side, used its friendly atmosphere to draw hundreds of patrons to its sixth annual Pabstolutely fundraiser for Golden String.
Golden String is a nonprofit organization that provides social services for adults with developmental disabilities, primarily autism, Down syndrome and traumatic brain injury, said Jimmy Sutman, director.
The first Pabstolutely raised $150. In 2012, it brought in $3,200, said Sutman, who owns the Pearl Street Mission where developmentally disabled adults operate an Internet radio station 24/7.
“Music is such an important part of all of our lives,” he said.
And music is what Pabstolutely, a free music festival, primarily offers, drawing groups from all over the country through the auspices of Joe Stilson, organizer of the event and a friend of Sutman’s.
“We just provide the venue. Joe has the music connections,” Louie Kennedy said.
As might be expected, with a name like Pabsolutely, there is plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer available.
Pabst provides free kegs of beer for the musicians and other freebees that people like, Louie Kennedy said.
“The great thing about this is that the East Side had little going for it when we took over this bar 12 years ago. Everyone is welcome,” he said.
Joy Kilbourne, who grew up on Youngstown’s West Side and now lives in Campbell, agrees.
“I bring friends and family here. You can be who you are and no one judges you. And they have the best ribs in town,” said Kilbourne, who is a bartender at the Ice House Inn in Mineral Ridge.
The Whatleys — T.J., Hiro, Eddie and Jim, all former Pennsylvania State University students from State College, Pa., one of the 14 bands that performed at Saturday’s festival, say they love playing the festival for a couple of reasons.
“We really like Golden String Internet radio and want to support it; and coming to Youngstown is a treat,” Hiro said.
“The town is open to our original music; they really seem to like us,” he said.
Louie Kennedy said the name of the festival came about when someone asked him if he wanted a beer, and he answered “Pabstolutely.”
Regarding the fundraiser festival, he said: “You’d be surprised at the number of people who need help. Being able to help provide money to put them in programs is great. With the Pearl Street Mission and Golden String Radio nearby, it is a natural.”