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Nestled on the shoreline of the Missouri River, the township of Boonville has a rich history. Its centerpiece is the Thespian Hall theater built 1855-1857.

When the Civil War erupted, the building served as a hospital and later a barracks for Federal Troops. Although the Hall had transfer of ownership on several occasions in the many  years that followed and saw some hard times, the community ultimately organized to preserve it. It now resides in the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a venue for music festivals and theater productions.

The BRC founder`s band performs at Boonville`s annual Festival of Lights street fair each autumn, and this year our benefit  gig was staged on the steps of this historic building which is the oldest active theater west of the Alleghenies. At tune-up time, the temperature was 90 degrees, but a cool breeze and shade from the church steeple across the street soon made the bandstand a welcoming platform. The townsfolk were appreciative of the Bluegrass music and generous in their donations to the Children`s Hospital.  School girls danced on the nearby street corner, and young lads with skateboards across the street gave the band members a thumbs-up.  It was a fun evening for the festival goers and musicians.

For about a dozen years, the BRC founder’s band has performed every July at an annual street festival to benefit the Children`s Hospital. The local Harley Davidson dealership generously donates its expansive parking lot for these yearly festivities. Leather clad motorcyclists congregate on their great machines and listen to the Bluegrass pickers while kids and families frolick on the grounds. Sometimes, the thunderous engines of the two- wheelers momentarily extinguish the music.

About 300 kids attended the fest this year to enjoy the games, local sports celebrities, and entertainment. We were glad to be visited by one of our all-time favorite banjo fans as pictured below.

Sunny skies and mild temperatures made it a pleasant day for staff and families. Two of the BRC founder`s helpers from the University Hospital orthopedic department joined him for a photo during the gig.

On the left is Kelly who sings with the Gainor & Friends Band and the G&F Trio. On the right is Heidi who arranges for all of the band`s tips to be deposited with the Children`s Miracle Network. In the far left upper corner of the photo (wearing a black baseball cap) is a glimpse of Jeanne, the inexhaustible chairperson of the street fest and equally successful springtime Roast-a-Doc benefit gala.

This month, donations from Gainor & Friends to the Children`a Hospital surpassed the $20K mark since the band`s collections began in 1995. Congratulations to all you good folks.