Three ambitious college kids spoke during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, making the pitch for a springtime music festival in downtown Milledgeville.
They’re calling it the 441 Music Festival, which would be a spinoff of the County Line Festival, held in recent years at Specht Farms, located on Corral Road. Approximately 3,500 people attended the most recent County Line Festival, according to Jake Stine, who was one of the presenters at Tuesday’s meeting.
“It does show how high the demand is right now for these live music festivals,” Stine said. “Rock is back, and so is the live music scene. Ever since COVID, it’s just grown more and more.”
The presentation seemed to be well-received.
“I’m excited about what you’re talking about doing and bringing to downtown,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Denese Shinolster. “Music moves everybody.”
Mayor Mary Parham Copelan also used the word “excited,” encouraging the college students to follow through with Milledgeville MainStreet and the city manager’s office.
Stine is the president of the Alpha Tau Omega chapter at Georgia College & State University. Alpha Tau Omega and a second fraternity – Kappa Alpha – are the organizers of the County Line Festival, with all profits donated to Brighter Days Ministry, a local non-profit in Hardwick.
However, Stine said his fraternity is looking to go in a different direction.
“(The County Line Festival) was heading in a direction that we didn’t think represented our chapter or Brighter Days, as well. The party was starting to become the focus and not the philanthropy,” Stine said. “Our goal is not to recreate Woodstock. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible for (Brighter Days Ministry).”
According to the plan, the music stage would be set up at the intersection of Hancock Street and Wayne Street, facing City Hall and the post office.
“Four or five college rock bands” is how Stine described the musical lineup.
The organizers haven’t identified a specific Saturday. One idea, according to Interim City Manager Melba Hilson-Butts, would be to combine with Milledgeville MainStreet’s Hometown Celebration, held each year on the first Friday of May.
“I’ve wanted a two-day celebration for a while,” the mayor said.
Added Shinholster: “You have a vision, and I would follow through with getting it organized. Working with MainStreet and our city manager here, you would be able to get them to help you put things together.”