Western hats and boots were plentiful among patrons who attended the fifth-annual Nashwood music and food fest in downtown Highwood over the Labor Day weekend.
Nashville and Tennessee music influenced Highwood at pedestrian-friendly music venues at the free event presented by Celebrate Highwood. Nashwood launched on Friday for a three-day run.
Friday night offered temperatures in the 80 degree range and a banner sunset. People could ride a mechanical bull or buy a one-gallon hat along Sheridan Road or Waukegan Avenue as they visited stops to listen to music or eat.
Celebrate Highwood board member and Highwood Alderman Eric Falberg, co-owner of 28 Mile Distilling Co., was on hand on for opening night, welcoming people to listen to the sounds of musicians performing in The Bluebird Cafe Songwriter Series Experience at 28 Mile.
It was Falberg’s idea to launch Nashwood. Friends rounded out the concept with a name suggestion and more.
With local buddies, “We all went down to Nashville every year for a guys trip,” he said. “I went down since 2007, and I loved it and I always felt that Highwood had that kind of feel.
“And we didn’t have a lot of music being played up in Highwood,” Falberg continued. “And so I wanted to do a Nashville-type theme.”
Launching Nashwood, he said, “was really rough the first year. We really paid for every band. It takes a while to build it up, but it’s not like a typical festival where they have a big stage.
“For us, it’s more about around the community, to be like Nashville, where you go from place to place to place to listen to music,” Falberg said. “I want people to get the experience of what live music is in a town where you go place to place.
“I just want people to have the experience of Nashville without having to go all the way there,” he said.
Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro, who was in the audience at 28 Mile on Friday, said, “It celebrates Highwood coming together, opening of their doors to everyone in the public to have a good time, a safe time and meet friends here; enjoy some great country music.”
Zachary Sonny Edwards of Chicago Ridge, who performed on guitar at Clucker’s Charcoal Chicken, said, “I love it. This is super fun, all of these families out and folks just being a part of it and doing what I love as well. We’re all kind of sharing the space together. Go Nashwood.”
Shortly before sundown on Friday, Kevin Purcell of Wauconda performed on an outdoor stage with Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners behind The Toadstool Pub.
“We love the people of Highwood,” he said before performing. “They’ve always been great to us, they always come out and Nashwood’s such a great idea. It’s a great concept. Nashwood’s such a perfect name; such a perfect title.”
“We have Nashville influences, it’s just not country,” Purcell said of the band. “We play more of a rock and blues type of thing, but the Allman Brothers were a huge influence, Stevie Ray Vaughan was a huge influence, but Danny Gatton was also a huge influence, so we love the blues rock side of country.”
Tommy Garrity, owner of The Toadstool Pub, helped to staff the outside bar which was busy. Neighboring business Marco’s Northside Grill shared the back lot space with The Toadstool Pub, serving up fare.
“Nashwood, love it,” he said. “We love it. It’s always great. It’s great for Highwood. People enjoy it to come in from all areas; to come and dance and catch great acts.
“It’s nice that Celebrate Highwood and the city of Highwood help us so much, bringing people into town,” Garrity said.
Birthday balloons were seen on reserved patio tables behind The Toadstool Pub. Hugs were numerous among spectators who said hello to friends and dining companions.
Dancing to Purcell’s band were Kathy Jefferson of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and daughter Abbey Sefton of Inverness.
“Had to,” Jefferson said. “That’s what it’s all about here.”
