Bannockburn Clubhouse hosted its annual music festival Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event showcased the talent of neighborhood residents while raising money to maintain the clubhouse and support future community events. Seven bands performed, offering diverse musical styles and representing different age groups. 

The festival began with a performance by the band Del Way Driveway and concluded with headliner Off Leash. Food trucks provided attendees with a variety of dining options from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Bannockburn Music Festival began in 2011 and has since become a staple neighborhood event. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the event spanned three days. During the pandemic, the clubhouse adapted by hosting “Lawnapalooza,” where artists performed outside of their houses to minimize contact. Viewers traveled around the neighborhood to watch performances at various houses to keep social distance. Following the pandemic, the festival has since transitioned into a one-day event. 

Band member and previous Bannockburn clubhouse board member Pamela Toole co-started the festival alongside Jody Myers. After 13 years of organizing the event, Toole and Myers retired, and the board has now taken over its management. Toole said she loves spending time with the community and being a part of a band. 

“I have performed in the Bannockburn Music Festival every single year,” Toole said. “I’ve sung barbershop quartet. I was in a reggae band. I was in a country band. What’s really great about it is giving everyone who has talent and is a musician time to perform for the community.”

Every year, the board sends a message out to local musicians, organizing the schedule based on availability. Many of the bands have been performing together for years and are longtime participants in the event. 

The clubhouse, built in 1912, was constructed on the land of the original Bannockburn Golf Club. In 1946, Group Housing Cooperative bought the golf club’s 124-acre land to be turned into a co-op. As time went on, the cooperative sold land to developers, eventually turning it into the Bannockburn neighborhood that stands today.

Board member Betsy McIntyre said supporting the clubhouse is an important part of keeping the clubhouse running. 

“The community clubhouse is a 150-year-old building and has all sorts of issues as any 100-year-old building has,” McIntyre said. “We are raising money to help maintain our historic landmark.”

 The Bannockburn Clubhouse regularly hosts open mic nights and events featuring local bands throughout the year, providing entertainment for the neighborhood and raising additional funds. 

Bannockburn neighborhood resident Bridget Kuzma said she found out about the event through neighborhood posters and a friend playing in a band at the festival.

“I just moved here a few months ago, and so it’s been a really delightful chance to meet some more of my neighbors and see this space,” Kuzma said.