Crossroads organizers raise money for festival

By Charnika Jett
May. 14, 2009    ·    5:19 p.m.

While some people headed home after their work day came to a close Tuesday afternoon, others made their way over to Haab’s restaurant to put their money where their mouth is, literally.

Supporters of the Crossroads Music Festival donated funds to benefit the festival and in exchange got to taste several different wines from Arbor Beverage and filled up on hot and cold appetizers.

The music festival, which runs June through August, will feature live music from local bands every Friday night and have plenty of family friendly games and contests to participate in.

Denise Cutlip, Event Coordinator for Crossroads Music Festival is excited to put together the fourth annual festival, but was nervous when it came to think about the money that has yet to be raised.

“We hope to raise between $500 and $1,000 dollars tonight,” Cutlip said, almost biting her tongue.

The event which is free to attendees is not free to put together. When looking at the costs of musical guests, a sound system provider and other operational expenses, Cutlip says their looking to rake up a bill of at least $18,000.

“We’ve already gotten a grant for $10,000,” Cutlip said, and we’re in the process of putting together more fundraisers in the future.”

When thinking about where the first fundraiser should take place, Cutlip immediately thought of Haabs.

“They’re one of the longest established businesses in town and an icon in the community,” Cutlip said. “Their support means a lot.”

Dave Kabat, manager of Haab’s restaurant, wanted to offer his support to the festival because it brings customers to downtown businesses.

“It’s a downtown event and we wanted to support something that is happening downtown,” Kabat said. “We wanted to work in conjunction with them and thought it was a good idea.”

Kabat said he is a fan of Crossroads Music Festival, but he has only been allowed to see a handful of shows due to his busy work schedule.

Kabat got his business partner Jerry Hayes from Arbor Beverage to lend his support as well.

“Haab’s restaurant is a customer of mine and I know they are deeply involved in Ypsilanti,” Haynes said.

Haynes, who grew up in Ypsilanti and lived here for a number of years, poured guests their choice of seven different wines, some new and some classic tastes.

“We went with the wines of North and South America, California Chile and Argentina,” Haynes said. “Those are the styles that people tend to appreciate.”

One guest who was really appreciating their glass of wine was Jonathan McDonald. After had enjoyed the festival for the past couple of summers, McDonald brought along his date to show their support.

“We live right in Depot Town so it’s a short walk for us to come up and visit,” McDonald said. “This is our first time at a fund raising event. I wasn’t aware of it in the past.”

Cutlip hopes that more people who enjoyed the festivals in the past will come out and lend their support at more fundraising events happening in the near future.

She’s also hopeful that the roster, full of local artists and old fashion games, will attract more people to the downtown area.

“The Martindale’s, which is the owner of the Tap Room, Brian Bookley’s band, have opened every year and will do so again this year,” Cutlip said. “We're going to be doing an old-fashioned bed race where teams of five build a bed, put it on wheels and do a relay up and down the block.

"We’ll have winners of different categories win an array of different prizes,” she said.

For more information on the Crossroads Music Festival and their future fundraising events, visit ypsicrossroads.org