Plymouth Ice Festival
Page 27
have such a good time. The spirit dur-
ing the Ice Festival is just contagious.
Everybody has a great time,” Agostini
said.
The lounge is in addition to the
restaurant dining room and bar which
will also be open during the festival
with a full bar and complete dinner or
lunchmenu.
The famous Party Tent will also be
open again this year in the back park-
ing lot of the restaurant. Entertainment
this year will see the return of Big Ray
and the Motor City Kings starting at 8
p.m. onFriday and then 50AmpFuse at
8 p.m. onSaturday.
“Both these bands have a huge fol-
lowing,” Agostini said. “We have had
Big Ray entertain several times at the
restaurant and for events and he just
rocks the place. People love it,”
Agostini said.
Big Ray Haywood is the Motor City
Kings' front man vocalist and musical
director. His talent on the saxophone
has become the trademark of the
group. Westland resident Davey
Fender handles the guitar for the group
and has played in several local blues
and rock acts.
Mike Rupprecht is the keyboardist
and also handles vocals. A native of
Lincoln Park, he toured and played
with Insurrection/David Gerald Band.
Brian Gatien plays bass with the band.
He is a seasoned musician, who has
been playing on the local circuit for the
last 30 years.
“They do a great job,” Agostini said.
Saturday night brings Fifty Amp
Fuse to the stage in the huge, heated
tent. The tribute band is one of the
most popular in the area and like Big
Ray, has a large following of dedicated
fans. The band covers a stellar lineup
of musicians who take audiences on a
soundtrack tour of the past 50 years in
music. The band has played at the
North American International Auto
Show and the Hard Rock Café at
Universal Studios inOrlando.
“People really enjoy them. I think
they will be a big draw this year,”
Agostini said, which is a great thing for
theVietnamVeterans group.
Members of the veterans group sit at
the entrance to the tent checking iden-
tification and attaching wrist bands.
They also collect the $3 cover charge
frompatrons.
“The cover charge goes directly to
the veterans group,” Agostini said. “It's
a great fundraiser for them and I think
people appreciate seeing them there.
We have folks who put in $20 or more,
knowing that it is for the vets.
“Hey, if anybody deserves a little
help, it's these guys for their service,”
Agostini said. “I'm glad to have them
here.”
Agostini and Toni Belli, fellow
owner of E.G. Nick’s, have been made
honorary members of the VFW for
their help and work with the group
who now credit their work at the Party
Tent during Plymouth events among
theirmajor fundraisers.
While the tent will open for beer
andwine service at 7, themusic doesn't
begin until 8 and will continue until
midnight.
“This festival is a really good time. If
you haven't been here, you are missing
something special. Come have a drink
at the ice bar, sit in the lounge, listen to
the music. You'll have a great time,”
Agostini said.”
50 Amp Fuse
