Chapter 58 (cont.)

 

SHIFTYFEST

​Shiftyfest in the backyard of 67 East Cleveland, 1995. Courtesy of Charlie, UD '94The display at Mudfest '94 only fueled the town’s drive to stomp out Wilburfest, so the planning for the following year faced a ton of opposition. Newark banned gatherings of more than 500 people without a permit. Hey, you think Wilburfest got one?

 

The organizers were forced to find another location; it was announced that the new Wilburfest site would be five miles away from Newark, at an enclosed 12-acre farm in PA, off of 896. Free bus service would be provided, and there would be craft booths and a beer truck…sounded a lot like Lollapalooza.

 

After reviewing the drinking stats from '94, London Britain Township (where the farm was) got nervous, and had second thoughts. Their concern -- which I do think was halfway legitimate -- was that despite the free bus service, there would be drunk kids driving down 896. It was then announced that Wilburfest '95 would be a DRY event. Soon after, the front page headline of the May 2nd, 1995 edition of The Review read, “Wilburfest Cancelled for First Time since 1973”.

 

Button for Wilburfest '95, which never ended up happening.Courtesy of Jen, UD '93I was bummed out, because '94 - '95 was the year I lived on Cleveland, and had been looking forward to having my home base so close to the show. Oh, and The Review headline was probably an accurate statement, as the Wilburfest that didn’t happen in '87 wasn’t technically cancelled; it had never been planned to begin with.

 

The cancellation of Wilburfest '95 was obviously a tough one for the organizers, but inevitable; virtually zero button pre-sales. However, something did happen on the intended date of that Wilburfest…a back-up event that was dubbed “Shiftyfest.”

 

Charlie on Shiftyfest…

 

I was also involved in trying to put Wilburfest together in 1995 with a girl named Angela...the year it didn't work out. It's hard to say what happened with Wilburfest '95. When we had to move it out of town, no one saw it as the same thing, and the bands didn't seem interested. I remember going to town meetings and watching people from the community make a fuss about what a nuisance it was, and I remember thinking what a shame, since the money went to such a good cause. In 1995 we had Shiftyfest, that was held in two or three locations that day all over town.

 

David Muddiman on Shiftyfest…

 

On the day and time Wilburfest '95 was supposed to start, a live concert occurred in the backyard of 67 East Cleveland (Charlie’s house), across from Wilbur Street. The bands were Cecil's Water, Phatboddum, and Grinch. The police drove by many times, they never did anything. A very good show. This was the first “Wilburfest” without a permit.

 

Wolf from Grinch on Shiftyfest…

 

We played Wilburfest from 1992 until the year it stopped. We were really pissed when the city tried to take it away, so we had Shiftyfest in '95 with all the bands at different locations. The plan was for the bands at each location to play until they were shut down. Then a call would be made, and the other bands would start across town, and so forth and so on. It all came together, how I don't know or remember, we just showed up and played. It ruled!

​Back roof(s) of 65 East Cleveland during Shiftyfest, 1995. Courtesy of Charlie, UD '94