Citadel’s country concert big success
LIONVILLE >> Citadel Country Spirit USA, Philadelphia area’s Country Music Festival, did not disappoint when it welcomed fans back this past weekend who were eager to experience live country music in Chester County again this year.
Headliners for the Aug. 27-29 fest were country music stars Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert and Chris Young. They were part of a lineup of more than 20 artists, including Justin Moore, Brett Young, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Maddie and Tae, Scotty McCreery (American Idol’s Season 10 winner), Jon Langston, Muscadine Bloodline, Lily Rose, Lindsay Ell, and Aubrey Rey. In addition, rising star soloists and bands also performed, including Bucks County’s Matt Freedman Band and Chester County’s Jackie Verna, who was a top 10 finalist on Season 14 of The Voice.
Fans at the final Sunday night show reveled in an unannounced superstar appearance when Kane Brown surprised Chris Young on stage and the two performed “Famous Friends.” Brown even tailored the performance to include Chester County in the song’s chorus.
Hosted by Chester County’s Brandywine Valley, the festival marked its third year at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds, located in the countryside of Philadelphia just minutes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Downingtown West Chester exit.
Citadel Credit Union, a member-owned, not-forprofit financial institution serving the Greater Philadelphia area, is the festival’s title sponsor. Citadel CEO Jeff March addressed music fans on Saturday night with two very special guests — Lizzy Fluck and Grayson Savery — who had been treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and are now cancer-free. The trio inspired the audience to donate to the festival’s CHOP fundraiser; a portion of all ticket sales are also benefitting CHOP. Verna, a former CHOP patient herself, joined them on stage for a special rendition of “Fight Song” as a tribute to all of the young patients fighting cancer and other illnesses.
“On behalf of everyone at Citadel Credit Union, we were blown away by the success of this weekend at Citadel Country Spirit USA. Being with our community again and feeling the energy has been uplifting and special,” said March. “We’re proud this great time is also for a great cause that raises critical funds for CHOP. We look forward to continuing to build strength together with this amazing community,” he said.
The festival’s producer says plans are already being explored to bring the event back again next summer for year four. “Citadel Country Spirit USA is such a fantastic way for our community to enjoy the great outdoors, great food and fun, and incredible music all in the beautiful countryside that is the Brandywine Valley and Chester County,” said Susan Hamley, executive director of Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau. “We are delighted that national touring artists look forward to performing for music fans from across the region and beyond right here in Ludwig’s Corner, and we look forward to continuing to build on this tradition,” she said.