Swiss Wine Festival
Montgomery to headline musical lineup
at the 2021 Swiss Wine Festival
Pro wrestling show added
to this year's special activities
VEVAY, Ind. (July 2021) – Grape stomping will meet up with boot stomping when country music legend Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry takes the stage at the historic Swiss Wine Festival at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at Paul Ogle Riverfront Park, 100 Ferry St. in Vevay, Ind.
The festival runs Aug. 26-29 and includes a variety of music, entertainment, a parade, a grape stomping competition and much more. This year, the Professional Wrestling Alliance will debut its Swiss Wine Pro Wrestling Super Show.
Grammy nominated, platinum selling country music duo Montgomery Gentry’s blue collar roots combined with their southern rockabilly earned them a solid place in country music history. With mentors that included country and southern rock legends Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Merle Haggard, the pair were known for their hard-driving, energetic sound. Some of their more popular songs are “What Do You Think About That,” “Where I Come From” and “My Town.” Despite a tragic helicopter accident in September 2017 that claimed the life of co-founder, Troy Gentry, Montgomery still continues to travel and perform with that same passion. He is currently doing a national tour and often likes to perform at small town festivals.
 |
Photo provided |
Danville, Ky., native Montgomery, who is the older brother to another country music icon, John Michael Montgomery, began his musical career playing drums in his parents’ band, Harold Montgomery and the Kentucky River Express. He then formed a band that included his younger brother, John Michael, before teaming up with Troy Gentry and forming Montgomery Gentry by 1999. The rest, as they say, is country music history.
“We believe this year will bring record crowds,” said Andy Truitt, music coordinator for the festival. “We have a spectacular lineup of music and family-friendly events, and people are ready to get outside.”
The 2020 Swiss Wine Fest was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Festival board members say they are excited and confident about the festival kicking off this year.
Saturday’s music headliner will be festival favorite Thunderstruck, an AC/DC cover band. “We have had them perform numerous times, and at the end of their performance, they are always encouraged by the crowd to return,” said Truitt. “They really bring that high energy performance AC/DC fans expect.”
The Swiss Wine Festival’s complete music lineup is a blend of country and rock that includes Tom the Torpedos, a Tom Petty tribute band, and local country favorite Cody Ikerd. “We get everyone involved,” said Truitt. “We have something for everyone here.”
One of the newest events at the Swiss Wine Festival, The Swiss Wine Pro Wrestling Super Show,” will debut at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Admission to the wrestling event and the festival is free for the evening. There will be a 6-6:45 p.m. Fan’s Meet and Greet with the wrestlers just prior to the start of the show.
The Professional Wrestling Alliance’s lineup will include Current Ring of Honor Star “Notorious” Shane Taylor, “The New Monster” Kongo Kong, Doink the Clown, “Ayatollah” Bin Hamin, Prophet of Pain” Amos, Hayley Shadows, Thunder Kitty, Savion, B.A. Bundy, “Skindawg” Brandon Skinner and tag teams War Inc. and The Outrunners.
“We are really excited about this new Thursday night entertainment event,” said Truitt. “We think it is going to be a treat for everyone.”
In fact, festival organizers do try to make the festival as family friendly as possible, with many attractions designed for children, including an amusement area, a tractor pedal pull and even a puppy pals show. Children are even invited to participate in the grape stomping competition. “We want families to come out and just have fun,” said Festival Coordinator Suzanne Rayls, who has been in her position since 2006.
For adults, there will be a wine pavilion with a variety of breweries and wineries participating, a 5K run/walk, a craft and flea market and the team grape stomp competition.
Rayls said the festival draws close to 40,000 fun seekers annually. Proceeds are put back into the community.
“People come from Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati to participate in the events,” said Rayls. “We use the funds collected to support our local community groups.”
?Tickets for the 48th annual four-day festival are $6 in advance at multiple places throughout Vevay or $10 at the gate. Children 12 years old and under are $5, and children under 2 years of age are free.
• For more information, visit www.swisswinefestival.org.