Entertainment Lineup Announced for 2012 Three Rivers Festival

Fort Wayne, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) – The entertainment lineup for the 44th annual Three Rivers Festival was announced Monday, bringing together a variety of bands and eclectic tastes. Shows will be held at the Vera Bradley Festival Plaza, under the pavilion at Headwaters Park, in downtown Fort Wayne.

The Daily Lineup:
July 13-The Festival Kicks off on lucky Friday the 13th, with ZOSO, The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience. You'll get lost in the nation's leading tribute to the biggest band of the 1970's-Led Zeppelin. Monkey Truck will be opening the show, with special guest Tito Discovery. Media sponsor: WXKE Rock 104. Tickets are $10.00

July 14- The atmosphere at Headwaters Park will be Red, White & Blue on Saturday with our "Salute to the Troops." Anyone currently serving in the military and any U.S. Veterans will receive FREE admission. The night's entertainment is for everyone, starring "Bruce in the USA: The World's #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band." Special Guests Allen & Ashcraft and Sunny Taylor & Ben Porter will open the show. Sponsors: Indiana's News Center, Hoosier Metals & G. I. Joe's Army Surplus. Tickets are $10.00

July 15 -Sunday features the STAR 88.3 Music Stage, with an incredible lineup of inspiring Christian artists including Kutless, Jason Castro from American Idol, Royal Tailor, Rapture Ruckus, Attaboy, The City Harmonic and After Sunday. Advance Tickets are $9 available at www.star883.com, or $15 day of show.

July 16- Monday Night will feature the brand new "Famous in the Fort" Talent Contest. Local contestants are invited to come out and compete for the $1,000 top prize. New, fresh faces are encouraged to participate. Come enjoy the thrills and drama of this "One Night, Big Stakes" Talent Contest. Billy Elvis is your Host for this event. Media Sponsors: WFFT Local & Majic 95.1 Tickets are $5.00.

July 17- It's "Twos-day" night in the Vera Bradley Plaza! That means you'll have a great night at the Three Rivers Festival for not a lot of dough! Enjoy special $2.00 features in Junk Food Alley, $2.00 admission to the Vera Bradley Plaza and $2.00 Bud and Bud Lights! Let's not forget the two Brothers (Mark & Mike) that help make "one of the area's best live bands" -- Brother, with guest Phil's Family Lizard to open the show. Media sponsor: WXKE Rock 104. Tickets just $2.00.

July 18-Back by Popular Demand would describe Wednesday night, which features the music of Michael Jackson with the return of "Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band." This will be another thriller of a night, with the lights, sounds and moves mirroring the King of Pop. Warming you up for this show are the amazing Freak Brothers! ( Psst... Hi, this is Hammer. This MJ show is one of the best acts I have ever seen-- it's a must-see!) Sponsors: 3Rivers Credit Union and 97.3 WMEE. Tickets are $10.00

July 19- Blue-eyed Country Music Star and American Idol third place finalist Casey James brings his talent and energy to the Vera Bradley Plaza Thursday night with national singer-songwriter Greg Bates, while Fort Wayne's own Sugar Shot opens the evening of this get-up-and-go Country Music event! Media Sponsor: K105 WQHK. Tickets are $5.00

July 20-Nationally acclaimed Blues singer, guitarist and songwriter Davy Knowles will be headlining Friday night. Knowles, known as a savant guitarist, uses a unique blend of blues and rock to create a distinctive sound and experience. Reminiscent of the guitar gods such as Clapton, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck, his playing is fast, spot-on accurate, exciting and deeply soulful. Juke Joint Jive will open the show. Media sponsor: WXKE Rock 104. Tickets are $15.00.

July 21- Saturday night ends with a BANG! with the Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival Fireworks Finale. The nice people at O'Daniel Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram paid for everyone's admission to join us in the Vera Bradley Festival Plaza for the Biggest FREE Party of the Festival!The show starts at 7pm with Indiana's own Urban Legend; they make sure your dancing feet work just fine as they take the stage. Then revisit the fun, excitement and sincerity of the music that shaped the history of Rock & Roll with The Devonshires. Complete with costumes and stage show, The Devonshires' performance includes songs from artists such as The Beatles, The Monkees, The Grass Roots, The Doors, Three Dog Night, The Who, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues and many more! Sponsor: O'Daniel Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. This is a FREE Show! After the Fireworks, the Vera Bradley Plaza continues to party and play music 'til midnight.

Other Great FREE Shows to catch at this year's Three Rivers Festival
Saturday, July 14th - 12:30 to 1:30 - Clean Comedy for Kids Presented by SNICKERZ in the Vera Bradley Festival Plaza, starring national children's Entertainer Dave Rudolf, and in the crowd... it's Fort Wayne Hoopnotica teaching you to Hula Hoop. Look for a coupon from Edy's Ice Cream along the parade route for a free Mini Drumstick for the kiddies, redeemable at the show. Donations accepted for Riley Children's Hospital. Sponsors: SNICKERZ Comedy Club, Majic 95.1 WAJI and Edy's Ice Cream.

Saturday, July 21 11:00am, "Shade Jonze & Friends" in the Vera Bradley Festival Plaza. Music and fun for the entire family.

Saturday, July 21, 12 noon, "Pop 'n' Fresh" in the Vera Bradley Festival Plaza. Join this talented family as they perform a variety of songs that will make you want to sing along!

Brown Bag Tunes at Noon
Tuesday, July 17 thru Friday, July 20- Bring a sandwich or grab one from Junk Food Alley and enjoy this upbeat music for lunch in the Vera Bradley Festival Plaza. From 11:30 - 1:30pm
Media Sponsor: Northeast Indiana Public Radio 89.1 FM
Tuesday 17th Fatima Washington
Wednesday 18th The Mark Maxwell Experience
Thursday 19th The Jamie Simon Trio
Friday 20th The Beef Manhattans

All Three Rivers Festival concerts are open to all ages, with kids under 12 FREE with paid adult admission.

Tickets for the shows (except July 15,16,17 and 21) can be purchased exclusively at the Embassy Box Office, 125 West Jefferson Boulevard, or by phone at (260) 424-6287. Tickets are also available at the Three Rivers Festival Headquarters, 102 Three Rivers North, (260) 426-5556.