21st annual Johnny Cash Fest fundraiser set for Jan. 24 at Irish-American Heritage Center

21st annual Johnny Cash Fest fundraiser banner

by BRIAN NADIG

The 21st annual “Cash for Kids” fundraiser — touted as Chicago’s only Johnny Cash festival — will be held Saturday evening, Jan. 24, at the Irish-American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., featuring original music and tributes from an array of bands.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Pat Mac’s Pack, which supports pediatric brian tumor research and families dealing with the disease.

The doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

The organization honors the memory of Patrick McNamara, who at 26 months old was diagnosed with a tumor and endured 15 brain surgeries and multiple rounds of chemotherapy until he passed away at the age of 13.

The idea for the festival started more than 20 years ago when area resident Steve Davern and Father Chris Doering, who at the time was pastor of the Our Lady of Victory Parish (now closed) in Jefferson Park, would play Johnny Cash songs and other classic country music at a local bar. In 2005 the first festival was held, raising funds for the Gompers Park Athletic Association.

In recent years the festival has had crowds of 1,000 attendees and raised around $35,000.

There will be three stages.

Scheduled performers include the Waco Brothers, Iron Horse, The John Allen Green Band, Mike Gianinni a the Rhythm Rangers, In Spite of Ourselves, State of the City and The Rock Islanders.

This year’s festival is being dedicated to Hayden Thompson, a Rockabilly Hall of Fame member, who recently passed away and was a main act at the festival for years.

For ticket information, visit the festival’s Facebook page.

21st annual Johnny Cash Fest fundraiser flyer
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