Beginning Friday, Aug. 19

"We wanted this year to have a fresher feel to it," expressed Aaron Loncki, executive director of Celebrate Erie. "I think it's important that we celebrate all the different parts of Erie like we have in the past, our food, our culture, our businesses, etc. But I think this year, we really wanted to hone in on the future of Erie and the up-and-coming pieces of Erie, and wanted our entertainment to reflect that," Loncki explained. 

The weekend is bursting with things to do, all at no cost to attendees. It's also the comeback year for Celebrate Erie, with a full cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic and the jam-packed 814 Day taking its place in 2021. 

Certainly one of the most noteworthy parts of the festival is also the biggest: The headliners. With X Ambassadors on Friday, Mýa and Ja Rule on Saturday, and Jimmie Allen on Sunday, there's a decisive lack of deep "legacy" type acts this time around. 

In our eyes, that definitely is refreshing. Rather than seeing a band from the '70s consisting of one famous lingering member, Celebrate Erie is making the effort to cater to a younger crowd. 

Of course, it's varied, and after all, Ja Rule's quarduple-platinum watershed album Pain is Love came out more than 20 years ago now. 

The former Murder Inc. member (along with hip-hop giants DMX and Jay-Z) still has a memorable catalog, however, and is one of the highest-profile guests, especially to an elder millennial, and he's easily the most well-known hip-hop act the main stage has seen. 

In a similar vein, R&B singer Mýa rose to prominence in the late 1990s early 2000s. With worldwide hits like 2001's "Lady Marmalade" (with Christina Aguilera, Pink and Lil' Kim) and "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (with Pras Michel and Ol' Dirty Bastard), Mýa's four-octave vocal range and breathy delivery have made her a success both commercially and critically. 

Rewinding to Friday, X Ambassadors cap off the first day. Hitting the scene in 2015 with their platinum-selling debut album VHS, they're known for hits like "Jungle," "Renegades," and "Unsteady." The quartet from Ithaca, N.Y. blend pop and alternative rock, with their latest album The Beautiful Liar released last year. 

Closing out the festival will be the crossover country artist Jimmie Allen, known for tracks like "Best Shot" and "Make Me Want To" from his 2018 debut album Mercury Lane. In 2021, Allen won the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year, the same year he supported Brad Paisley on a 23-city tour. 

There's always much more at Celebrate Erie than just the headliners, of course. This year sees the addition of a special Alley Stage located at Eighth and State streets. A vision of event organizer/talent buyer Maria Gangemi, this stage features entirely original bands and artists that have a slightly harder edge. 

The Living Room Stage returns this year, with its low-key atmosphere highlighting acoustic-leaning artists and singer-songwriters. 

This year will feature interactive drum circles and jam sessions too. Be part of the music and work as a group in whichever way suits you best. There will also be a cornhole tournament going on all weekend, a youth basketball tournament in collaboration with the Police Athletic League (on Saturday), and a 3-point basketball contest (on Friday and Sunday). 

Loncki wagers that "the goal would be to have something more interactive, something that people can walk up and do instead of just look at, so we wanted to do that a little bit differently," speaking to a number of new activities slated for 2022. 

There will be a Culture District Stage this year, spotlighting diverse music and dance, as well as a multicultural marketplace nearby. 

The Chalk Walk is back in full swing and full-color this year as well, one of the most memorable pieces of Celebrate Erie, where local artists illustrate sponsored sections of State Street. Get a chance to check out their works in progress early in the festival, or peruse the finished works as the weekend wears on. 

In addition to the Chalk Walk, there will be numerous local artists with items for sale, doing live art demonstrations, and participating in an Erie-themed art gallery. 

Want to walk away with something to remember the weekend by? There will be specially-made t-shirts and pins from Erie Apparel available all weekend and on the website.

And don't forget about the food; this year, food vendors will be seen throughout Downtown Erie, as opposed to being congregated in one main location. 

The event has many family-friendly offerings as well, including the Family District Stage, with music for all ages. 

Celebrate Erie is simply the place to be, with virtually every aspect of the city being showcased in some way. It's free, it's fun, it's local, and it's mesmerizing.

CELEBRATE ERIE 2022 - MAIN STAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19TH

5:30PM-6:15PM - SIX YEAR STRETCH
6:30PM-7:30PM - FIRST TO ELEVEN
8:00PM - X AMBASSADORS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

5:30PM-6:45PM - CEE BROWN EXPERIENCE
7:15PM-8:00PM - MÝA
8:30PM - JA RULE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

5:30PM-6:15PM - REFUGE
6:30PM-7:30PM - BRENNA BONE
8:00PM - JIMMIE ALLEN

CELEBRATE ERIE 2022 - PERRY SQUARE STAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

NOON-1:00PM - LOGAN B & THE DIRTY LEAF

1:30PM-2:30PM - HOUSE OF RHYTHM

3:00PM-4:00PM - LIGHTS + LETTERS

4:30PM-5:30PM - FOX GROTTO

6:00PM-7:00PM - MATTY & THE PICKLES

7:30PM-9:00PM - PHUNKADEMIC

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022

NOON-1:00PM - CATS A BEAR

1:30PM-2:30PM - THE ROOF TOP PROJECT

3:00PM-4:00PM - STEPHEN TROHOSKE'S BASSES LOADED

4:30PM-5:30PM - CAGUAS STEEL BAND

6:00PM-7:00PM - RODGER MONTGOMERY BLUES BAND

7:30PM-9:00PM - THE BREEZE BAND

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022

NOON-2:00PM - JODY MADDIE'S UPTOWN SOUND-POLKA

2:15PM-3:15PM - THE GOATS

3:30PM-4:30PM - MAMBO

5:00PM-6:00PM - SHOEFLY SOUL

6:30PM-7:30PM - JEFF FETTERMAN BAND

8:00PM-9:00PM - THE GROOVE

CELEBRATE ERIE 2022 - THE ALLEY STAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

1:00PM-2:00PM - JESS ROYER

2:30PM-3:30PM - ISH

4:00PM-5:00PM - MALLORY RUN

5:30PM-6:30PM - LADDERS

7:00PM-8:00PM - FAST FALL

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - HOMEBOYMUSIC

1:00PM-2:00PM - HARD LUCK STORY

2:30PM-3:30PM - PAPER ST

4:00PM-5:00PM - DO NOT CALL LIST

5:30PM-6:30PM - BLOUSES

7:00PM-8:00PM - GRIM GRIN

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - MIGUEL INSPIRADO

1:00PM-2:00PM - HALF PACE

2:30PM-3:30PM - TRACE THE PATTERN

4:00PM-5:00PM - HIGHER VIBRATION

5:30PM-6:30PM - ODD ATROCITY

7:00PM-8:00PM - REAL FAKE DOORS

CELEBRATE ERIE 2022 - THE LIVING ROOM STAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - CHRIS EHRICH

12:45PM-1:15PM - MIKE DVORAK ACOUSTIC

1:30PM-2:30PM - JOHNNY LAROCHE

2:45PM-3:45PM - MATT "BROKE" BOLAND

4:00PM-5:00PM - MATTHEW CRAYS

5:15PM-6:15PM - HULTMAN & SCHWARTZ TRIO

6:30PM-7:30PM - SPADES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - JONATHAN NOLAN

12:45PM-1:15PM - FRANK MARZANO

1:30PM-2:30PM - ELLE TAYLOR BAND

2:45PM-3:45PM - MARK & DAN

4:00PM-5:00PM - JESSE JAMES WESTON

5:15PM-6:15PM - THE ACOUSTIC-JUKEBOX

6:30PM-7:30PM - SMALL TOWN ROLLERS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - CLAIRE STUCZYNSKI

12:45PM-1:15PM - TEDDY RANKIN

1:30PM-2:30PM - DOUG PHILLIPS & ERIC BREWER

2:45PM-3:45PM - JESSE SMITH & ERIKA KUHN

4:00PM-5:00PM - DAN DONCH OF ORPHEAN SON

5:15PM-6:15PM THE COLLETIVE

6:30PM-7:30PM ACOUSTIC EAR CANDY

CELEBRATE ERIE 2022 - FAMILY STAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - STORY TIME WITH THE ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

12:45PM-1:15PM - VYBE QUEENZ

1:30PM-2:30PM - BERLIN MUSIC STUDIO

2:45PM-3:45PM - ERIE PLAYHOUSE-ELEPHANT & PIGGIE

4:00PM-5:00PM - ERIE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ALLIANCE

5:15PM-6:15PM - TEAM LIGHTNING

6:30PM-7:30PM - THE BANDITS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - SOVEREIGN BALLET

12:45PM-1:15PM - CHLOE KISER

1:30PM-2:30PM - ERIE DANCE CONSERVATORY

2:45PM-3:45PM - PARK'S TAEKWONDO ACADEMY

4:00PM-5:00PM - SPOTLIGHT DANCE STUDIO

5:15PM-6:15PM - CELEBRATEERIE BUBBLE DANCE PARTY

6:30PM-7:30PM - ERIE DANCE THEATER TEAM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022

NOON-12:30PM - FOOTLIGHTS THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

12:45PM-1:15PM - AINE CELTIC ACADEMY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE

1:30PM-2:30PM - YOGA WITH ABI

2:45PM-3:45PM - PATTERSON SCHOOL OF BALLET

4:00PM-5:00PM - ITALIAN DANCERS OF ERIE

5:15PM-6:15PM PARK'S TAEKWONDO ACADEMY

6:30PM-7:30PM - ERIE PLAYHOUSE-A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022

2:00PM-4:00PM - ONE WORLD TRIBE-RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD INSTRUCTIONAL DRUM CIRCLE

Nick Warren will be performing at Celebrate Erie three times this year. He can be reached at nick@eriereader.com, or nearby the Alley Stage on Friday.