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The Great American Brass Band Festival has been a Danville tradition since 1990 and brings people from across the country and world to Danville to celebrate the horn and all the genres of music that use it. 

The 2024 Brass Band Festival, eagerly anticipated by music enthusiasts, will be held starting Thursday, May 30 through June 1. Festival Executive Director Michaelle Perros is thrilled about the potential influx of newcomers this year.

“I think we will get a lot of attention from new folks from all over,” Perros said. “We will have killer music, and a great variety of groups. We have everything from big band jazz to mariachi, to rock to pop. Both of our headliners Friday and Saturday night will be different with a variety of sounds.”

The festival kicks off Thursday with the Gallery Hop on Danville’s Main Street, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Downtown Downbeat will start at 7 p.m. at Weisiger Park with bands Baja Yetis and The Swells. 

Bayou and Brass on Friday will be held on Centre College’s campus instead of Weisiger Park this year. 

Saturday will start bright and early with the Run for the Brass 5K race at 8 a.m. at Millenium Park. Music will start at Centre College at 9 a.m., and the Brass Band parade will start at 11 a.m. on Main Street.

In addition, Saturday will see a larger kids’ area with inflatables along with yard games for adults.

“It is a great assortment of activities for kids and adults,” Perros said. “I am really excited to welcome new folks to this historic event.”

There will not be any concerts on Sunday this year, as Perros said more people usually attend the festival the other days rather than Sunday.

Parking for the festival has been expanded to where musicians and sponsors have designated parking lots with additional parking for concertgoers.

 

Great American Brass Band Festival Schedule

The 2024 Great American Brass Band Festival starts Thursday in Danville. The following is a schedule of events and music.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 30

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Gallery Hop, Main Street.

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Downtown Downbeat, Weisiger Park.

Friday, May 31

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Concert at Shaker Village

5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Bayou and Brass, Main Stage (Centre College Lawn).

Saturday, June 1

8:00 a.m. Run for the Brass, Millennium Park

9:00 a.m. Main Stage performances begin, Centre College Lawn

11:00 a.m. Main Street Parade (no music on main stage)

12:00 p.m. Main Stage music resumes, Centre College Lawn

12:30 p.m. Kids Creation Station opens

3:15 p.m. Picnic setup begins, music on Walnuts Street Featuring: Circle City Sidewalk Stompers

4:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Great American Picnic.

Music Schedule

Thursday, May 30

Downtown Downbeat

7:00 p.m. Baja Yetis

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The Swells.

Friday, May 31

Concert at Shaker Village: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Lexington Chamber Brass.

Bayou and Brass at Centre College:

5:00 p.m. Mike Wade and the Nasty Nati Brass Band

6:15 p.m. Cincy Brass

7:30 p.m. Mclasty Brass Band

8:45-10:00 p.m. Lucky Chops.

Saturday, June 1

Main Stage Music

9:00 a.m. 202nd Army Band

10:00 a.m. Sacred Winds Ensemble

11:00 a.m. PARADE, no main stage music

12 p.m. Cincinnati Brass Band

1:00 p.m. Mariachi de Kentucky

2:00 p.m. Friends Big Band

3:15 p.m. Walnut St. Jam with Circle City Sidewalk Stompers

4:30 p.m. Advocate Brass Band

5:45 p.m. Empire Strikes Brass

7:00 p.m. McNasty Brass Band

8:15 p.m. Lucky Chops

9:30 – 11:00 p.m. No BS! Brass.