The largest and longest-running fan-organized event that pays tribute to the legendary band “The Beatles” will be taking place in Queens next month.
The event, called “Fest for Beatles Fans,” will be taking place in Queens during the weekend of Feb. 9-11. The occasion will mark the 50th anniversary since the event was first launched and the 60th anniversary of when the iconic group arrived to the United States at JFK Airport, marking the beginning of a cultural revolution. As a result of these notable anniversaries, the event will be held at the TWA Hotel at JFK.
The three-day event will include appearances from special guests, meet-and-greets, live music, a giant Beatles Marketplace, a Beatles Museum, an auction of rare items, an art gallery, numerous activities and an impromptu “fan jam,” with musically talented attendees encouraged to bring their own instruments to take part in this.
Attendees are encouraged to dress up for the sixties/lookalike contest, bring their own original Beatles Art to enter in the Art Contest or take part in a Battle of the Bands and Soundalike Contest. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to make their own karaoke music video. There will also be Trivia and Name That Tune game shows.
Among those lined up to appear at the Fest for Beatles Fans are Micky Dolenz of “The Monkees,” Laurence Juber and Steve Holley of “Wings,” Gregg Bissonette and Mark Rivera of “Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band” and British singer Billy J. Kramer. Other special guests will include Chris O’Dell, who worked with The Beatles for Apple Records, George Harrison’s sister-in-law Jenny Boyd, Gary Evans, the son of The Beatles’ roadie Mal Evans, original Beatles Fan Club president Freda Kelly, Paul McCartney’s stepmother and stepsister, Angie and Ruth McCartney and many more.
Many of these special musical guests will be playing throughout the weekend. Additionally, other bands slated to perform include “Liverpool,” “The Weeklings,” “The Black Ties,” “Blac Rabbit,” “Cellophane Flowers,” “Jeff Slate’s Weekend Wilburys” and many more.
Ken Dashow of Q104.3 will act as the “Master of Ceremonies” throughout the event. He will also be assisted by Tom Frangione of SiriusXM’s “The Beatles Channel.”
The Fest for Beatles Fans was founded in 1974 by Mark Lapidos in New York City, who thought of the idea for a 10th anniversary celebration of The Beatles’ arrival in America. Lapidos went to John Lennon and received his blessing, with Lennon saying, “I’m all for it, I’m a Beatles fan too!” Each year, the Fest for Beatles Fans has held celebrations in multiple cities and regions.
The event has featured appearances by a huge range of musicians, artists, family members, friends and associates from the world of The Beatles. Additionally, it carries the world’s largest selection of licensed Beatles merchandise and publishes the only Beatles mail order catalogue in circulation.
Tickets prices for the event vary. Advance tickets are $89 for Friday, Feb. 9, $130 for Saturday, Feb. 10 and $120 for Sunday, Feb. 11. Tickets can also be purchased in multi-day combos, at $199 for Friday and Saturday, $189 for Friday and Sunday, $230 for Saturday and Sunday or $299 for all three days. Single day tickets will also be available at the door for $99 on Friday, $140 on Saturday and $130 on Sunday. Tickets are also half price for those 18 years of age or younger and free for those seven and under.
For tickets, full details and information on guests, go to www.thefest.com or call 1-866-THE-FEST.
