New music fest and 8 other reasons not to miss AlterFest

AlterFest is adding a new party to the mix this Labor Day weekend.

The same AlterFest featuring food, carnival games and games of chance, rides and beer is going bigger and better with a bigger emphasis on music on the final day.

A few changes this year include the schedule. This year’s festival will span three days: Friday evening, all afternoon and evening Saturday and Sunday evening.

Friday and Saturday will feature Family Fest and Sunday will feature Music Fest. There will be a game truck and Fortnite Tournament.

Entry will be free on Friday and Saturday, but tickets are required for the Music Fest on Sunday.

>> The ULTIMATE guide to Labor Day weekend in Dayton

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Here are 9 reasons to go to AlterFest:

1.) NEW MUSIC FEST

The biggest new addition this year is the AlterMusicFest that is set for Sunday, Sept. 1 from 4 p.m. to midnight. The lineup includes national touring acts U2 Decades and Dave Matthews Tribute Band, as well as local country rising star Ashley Martin. A limited number of tickets are still available.

Tickets: Tickets are $10 for students (ages 14-20), $20 for adults. VIP tickets are sold out. Youth 13 and younger are admitted for free. Purchase tickets in advance online here or at the box office on Friday and Saturday at the festival.

Approximately 1,000 unreserved chairs will be available under the tents in the back parking lot of Alter High School.

A few things to know before you go: Lawn chairs and blankets will be permitted on the practice field adjacent to the concert and strollers are permitted. The concert will take place rain or shine, but no umbrellas, professional video equipment, beverages or coolers are permitted. Carry-in items will be subject to search.

Entrances will be located in the driveway of Alter High on David Road and another entrance is located on the driveway near the football field on Renwood.

Paid parking is available on the front lawn of Alter on David Road. Parking can also be found on surrounding side streets.

Gates open at 3:30 p.m.

The schedule: 

4:30 p.m. — Ashley Martin

6:30 p.m. — The Dave Matthews Tribute Band

9 p.m. — U2 Decades

2019 AlterFest

The last party of the summer is almost here! 😲😁 AlterFest is Labor Day Weekend! Food – Games – Rides and Family Fun! FREE ADMISSION Friday, August 30 & Saturday, August 31! --- Sunday, September 1 is Alter MusicFest! Featuring: U2 DECADES, The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, and Ashley Martin General Admission STILL AVAILABLE! VIP Tickets are SOLD OUT! GET Tickets at altermusicfest.org

Posted by Archbishop Alter High School on Monday, August 19, 2019

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

2.) FREE MUSIC

While we’re on the subject of music, there will also be free live music on Friday and Saturday.

The schedule:

FRIDAY

6 P.M. — Thomas McVicar

7:30 P.M. — Eric Suttman Band

9 P.M. — The Bowl Cuts

SATURDAY

5 P.M. — 5 Story Plunge

7 P.M. — The Fries

9 p.m. Spungewurthy

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

3.) TRY YOUR LUCK

Gambling is a feature that is pretty unique to AlterFest. You can try your hand at Blackjack or Texas Hold 'Em. Patrons must be 21 years of age to play. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

4.) ENTERTAIN THE KIDS

Each year, AlterFest boasts a huge variety of rides and games to keep kids entertained.

All the kids’ games will require tickets which can be bought at the ticket booth. Ride tickets are sold separately at a different booth. These tickets are not interchangeable and both are non-refundable.

For a great deal on rides, get $25 unlimited ride wristbands from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday or 3:30-8 p.m. Sunday.

There will be a video game truck including Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Madden, NBA 2K and more.

Saturday will also feature special children’s entertainment.

12-4 P.M. — Arts & Crafts, Face Painging, Lily's Henna Art

12 P.M. — Angeli Danzanti Middle Eastern Dance

1 P.M. — Mike Hemmelgarn (comedian/ventriloquist)

1-3 P.M. — Rudy Flyer

1-6 P.M. — Corn Hole Tournament; Fortnite Tournament + many video games at the game truck

2 P.M. — Nugent School of Irish Dance

2-4 P.M. — Boonshoft Animals Alive

3 P.M. — Miley Azbil (singer)

5 P.M. — Lancerettes (band)

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

5.) HEADS AND TAILS GAME

If you're feeling extra lucky, you definitely don't want to miss the heads and tails game on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. It's only $5 to play, and the reward could be much greater. Hundreds of people will try to predict the flip of a giant coin, and the crowd will gradually get smaller as people are eliminated. The last person standing wins a cash prize.

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

6.) FESTIVAL FOOD

Why stop at chicken when AlterFest has a variety of food vendors? Fill up on fair-style foods all weekend long.

New food offerings this year include: Chicken wings, corn dogs, candy apples, cotton candy, fried Snickers bars, popcorn, giant suckers

Familiar favorites include: Burgers, hot dogs, Polish sausage, brats, pork tenderloin, pulled pork, French Fries, onion rings, cabbage rolls, Italian sausage, nachos, pretzels, funnel cakes, fried Oreos.

Vendors include Kona Ice, LaRosa’s Pizza, Jubie’s Creamery, Blackjack Grill, Chicago Gyro and Bourbon Street Grill.

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

7.) DRINKS

Beer, craft beer, wine and lemonade are among the thirst-quenchers.

Elsa’s Kettering Sports Grill will be serving some “South of the Border” fun in the Wine Garden Sunday only.

8.) 5K RACE

The Alter 5K, presented by Up & Running, will take place at 8 a.m. Runners may pick up their shirt and race bib starting at 7 a.m. under the tent in the back parking lot. Online registration is $15 per person. Registration will be $20 the day of the race. T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 150 registrations. The race supports Alter Cross Country.

9.) SUPPORT THE SCHOOL

Last, but certainly not least, the money raised from AlterFest goes toward a year’s worth of improvements. In the past, the Alter Boosters have been able to provide new windows, security systems, telephones, even a new arts building.

More than 2,000 volunteers make this event possible.

Alter volunteers give from their heart and are dedicated to making AlterFest possible. Thank you to all 2000 volunteers! Together is Better!

Posted by AlterFest on Saturday, August 24, 2019

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Alter Fest 2019

WHEN: 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 30; Noon to midnight Saturday, Aug. 31; 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Sept. 1

WHERE: Alter High School, 940 E. David Road, Kettering 

COST: Free admission for Family Fest on Friday and Saturday. Tickets required for Sunday Music Fest. Tickets are $10 for students (ages 14-20), $20 for adults. Youth 13 and younger are admitted for free. Purchase tickets in advance online here.

INFO: Website Facebook | (937) 434-4434

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