Celebrate Erie Announces Headliners, Districts for 2018

Tom Petty (left) via the Erie Allstars, The Ohio Players, Sugar Ray, and Dan + Shay are set to headline each day.

Sugar Ray, the Ohio Players, Dan + Shay, and the Erie Allstars are each set to headline nights at this year's Celebrate Erie festival, running Thursday, August 16 through Sunday, August 19.

The long-running California pop-rock quartet Sugar Ray had their moment in the mainstream sun in the late 90s with soft, chimey hits like "Fly," "Every Morning," and "Someday." The band's frontman, Mark McGrath parlayed his public persona into a career in game shows and reality television, appearing on shows like Don't Forget the Lyrics, Celebrity Big Brother, The Apprentice, and American Idol.

With hits like "Love Rollercoaster" and "Fire," the Ohio Players carved out a place for themselves in American funk and soul, earning one of the first spots in the R&B Hall of Fame. Between the years 1974 and 1975, the band put out three albums, every one of them becoming certified platinum. With many members of the original lineup having passed away, four of the band's original members (drummer James "Diamond" Williams, guitarist Chet Willis, keyboardist Billy Beck, and percussionist Robert Jones) have reformed the band to tour again.

Country duo Dan + Shay have released two albums, with a third set to be released on June 22, all through Warner Bros. Nashville. The "Dan" part of the group, Dan Smyers, spent most of his life in the Pittsburgh area, while the "Shay" part grew up in Arkansas. The two met in 2012 and have been penning songs like "Tequila," "From the Ground Up," and "19 You + Me" ever since.  

The Erie Allstars are no strangers to the Celebrate Erie stage, always incorporating several of our area's most-loved musicians to perform along with them. This year they'll explore the catalog of the late Tom Petty. Expect to hear all your favorite hits from the Heartbreakers played by some of Erie's best musicians.

The full music lineup is still to be announced, and local acts, vendors, and artists being encouraged to submit their applications participate – the deadline for entries recently extended to June 15.

One of the over-arching themes of this year's event is one community inclusion, utilizing local vendors and musicians whenever possible.

Helping to weave together thriving aspects of our city's offerings, the festival will also feature four "districts" with plenty of things to see and do:

• The UPMC Art District - featuring the chalk walk, artist alley, and interactive displays, this area will work closely with the Experience Children's Museum and the Erie Art Museum

• The Culture District - with the Erie Insurance Multicultural Marketplace (on State Street from 7th to 8th), with food, artisans and more from our diverse international communities

• The Giant Eagle Food & Beverage District – Taste of Erie Perry Square, with food trucks and local restaurants offering a wide assortment of food and drink

• The Highmark Music District – with the Main Stage (4th and State) and the PA Lottery Stage at Perry Square, filling the days with local and regional musicians

For more info go to celebrateerie.com