Toonerville Music Festival Returns for Third Year with Spin Doctors
Spin Doctors, the alternative rock band known for their hit songs “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” will headline the non-profit and volunteer run 2023 Tooner-
ville Music Festival on September 23 in Pelham, now in its third year. Ticket sales through toonerville.org are already outpacing last year, festival organizers reported.
Additional performers for the all-day music event will include alt-rock duo Illiterate Light, multi-platinum selling songwriter and producer Coyle Girelli, soul-rock group Brandi and the Alexanders, Grateful Dead tribute Stella Blue’s Band, roots rock Americana band Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart, and more rock, blues, R&B and folk artists for a total of 18 acts.
The event is set to run from 12-10pm in the large municipal lot situated behind Rockwell’s restaurant, located at 105 Wolfs Lane, close to the Metro-North train station in Pelham. The lot will host two stages, food trucks and beer from Captain Lawrence Brewing Company.
The festival brings two key new elements for 2023. Parents will have the option for childcare through the Pelham childcare provider DaniLee’s Helping Hands, and a silent auction including a Spin Doctors autographed guitar, recording time at the Bronxville-based studio The Loft and music lessons at School of Rock in Mamaroneck.
The festival is named for the Toonerville Folks comic strip inspired by the trolley that once carried commuters up and down Pelham’s main street to and from the train station. Residents can re-experience the historic trolley on the day of the festival as it transports concert goers and makes a continuous loop in Pelham for the event’s duration. Additional live acts will perform on the trolley, entertaining riders throughout the day.
Toonerville Music Festival is entirely volunteer run and benefits the Pelham Civic Association, a local not-for-profit that supports programs for seniors, youths, disabled and the needy.
“Toonerville is and has always been about giving back to our community,” said Warren Banholzer, one of the festival’s founders and organizers alongside John Gaenzler and Jason Jeffries. “We are proud to support the mission of Pelham Civics Association while bringing people together to enjoy a festival featuring not only nationally recognized performers, but also acts on the verge of breaking out as well as young local artists ready to showcase their talent on the big stage.”
Sponsors include Silver sponsor New York Rugby, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Rockwell’s American Restaurant, DaniLee’s Helping Hands, Meridian Risk Management, Westchester Collision & Recovery, Manor Auto, Ray Catena, Compass, Pelham Violins, Thrive and the Picture House. The festival continues to invite additional sponsors and can be contacted at sponsors@toonerville.org.