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The Gila River Music Festival, which features a diverse lineup of musical talent, food trucks, vendors and artists, is April 22-23 in Kearny.
Kearny is in Pinal County just 1.5 hours from the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.
“Bring a chair and sit outdoors and enjoy the atmosphere or take a dip in the Gila River. There is something for everyone to enjoy. It is an all ages event. Stay overnight; camping is available,” according to a release.
Gila River Music Festival and nonprofit Arizona Rural Arts Foundation were established to help with the funding for this event and future rural art events. Supporters this year include Capstone Copper, Pinal County Tourism, Arizona Commission for the Arts and Resolution Copper.
There are sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses that wish to be involved. Go to gilarivermusicfestival.com.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, April 22, at the Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Kearny. The town sits in a valley at the base of the Pinal Mountain range and the Gila River runs along the edge of the town.
The April 22 lineup includes:
Elvis impersonator Alex Hernandez, who opens the festival.
Triple threat, Sydney Swanson follows at noon.
Blues guitarist Aaron McCall is up at 1 p.m.
Mar, Dee and The Buzz will perform at 5 p.m. followed by Tequila Moon.
Later that night, Reckless Envy, from Reno, Nevada, will close out the evening.
The April 23 lineup includes:
At 11 a.m. the festival will open and Eddie Guitierrez will start out the day.
Traveler, the world fusion group, featuring the fiddling front man Scott Jeffers, takes the stage at 2 p.m.
Latin sensation Powerdrive follows at 4 p.m.
Cumbias. Nashville, recording artist Matt Farris comes on at 6 p.m. with his high energy country.
CMT country sensation Ashley Wineland is on at 8 p.m.
Jahlos and the Rebels will close out the festival from 10 p.m. to Midnight with one big party.
Food trucks include One Hot Mess; Dayeli’s Mexican Food; El Pastorcito Tacos; Maui Wowi coffee and smoothies. The vendor market at the festival will have jewelry form CactusDaisy Creations; spinners from American Windspinners, JMKJ’s Cool Stuff; Bela Flore’s Designs; Ranch Girl Gear and more.
As with most festivals, there is a charge and it is a private event. A ticket must be purchased online in order to attend the event. Get tickets at gilarivermusicfestival.com. Ticket sales are limited.
Prices will increase closer to the event so you will want to get your tickets early. At this time two days of music costs $40 for or $25 per single day. Overnight camping is available; trailers are $50 and tent camping is only $20 for the event.