Beatles fans come together
Tribute festival a tradition for some
by Sara Cunningham
The Courier-Journal

Because they had plans to head to the courier-journal.com Abbey Road on the River festival, Vanessa Key woke up her daughter yesterday morning and asked if they should dress up as Beatles.

Christina Key, all of 6 years old, got very excited at the idea of bug costumes.

"Yeah, she has no idea who they are," Key, 46, said as she took in the peppy music and atmosphere on the Belvedere yesterday afternoon with her husband and Christina. "But they've been a lifelong thing for me. I was 2 or 3 when they first became popular."

The Jeffersontown residents were just part of an easygoing crowd that gathered in pockets around several stages where bands did their best to honor the music of the famous mop-tops.

"They're one of the best bands ever because they're the originators for a lot of things and for ideas about peace and equality," said Kandice Powell, 21.

Powell and her boyfriend, Lonny Mason, 30, came to Louisville from Eminence, Ky., for the day. It was Powell's third year at the festival but Mason's first.

"I don't really have certain things I want to hear," Mason said. "It's nice to get out for the day. I'm just along for the ride."

Lou and Mary Ann Hoagland of Fern Creek seemed to feel the same way. They were much choosier about their spot as they set up lawn chairs near one of the stages.

"We kind of liked the band over there more, but we definitely wanted to be closer to this stage later, so we figured we'd better save our spots," said Lou Hoagland, 48.

For Janice Klesta, her two children and her brother, the Abbey Road weekend is part of a six-year tradition.

Gilbert Evanish, Klesta's brother, lives in Denver but makes the trip east every year out of love for the Beatles and his family.

"Every part of the weekend is good," said Evanish, 57.

He used to go to the festival in Cleveland , where Klesta, 46, and her children live, but they've gathered in Louisville for the past three years.

"It's because of my big brother, his big idea," Klesta said. "But we love it too. It's our tradition and we've never been disappointed."

Klesta's children, Jill, 13, and Chris, 10, had a hard time coming up with their favorite part of the weekend trips. There's the Galt House hotel stay, the food, the family time and the music.

"I just love everything," Jill said.

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