Toledo is swinging for a hole-in-one this weekend.

Fan Fest brings Gwen Stefani and Chris Young to Promenade Park on Friday and Saturday, as the headliners for a weekend's worth of live entertainment. It's the latest and greatest in ProMedica’s ongoing summer concert series, and the kickoff to the much anticipated Solheim Cup, the elite women’s golf team tournament in which the top 12 U.S. players face off against the top 12 European players.

For the first time ever for the Solheim Cup, which continues at Inverness Club through Monday, the opening ceremonies are being held off the course. ProMedica and Toledo are instead hosting them downtown in Promenade Park, and tossing in some high-caliber performances ranging from local acts to national names like Stefani and Young. 

The fest is slated to bring in nearly 30,000 attendees.

Mary Brucker, the co-chair of opening ceremonies for Fan Fest, said organizers wanted the event to be a celebration of Toledo.

“It originally started with this being the city’s introduction to both teams. We would do the opening ceremonies at the Promenade Park, and we were really excited to host the ceremonies downtown, but we decided as a community that we wanted to go bigger,” Brucker said. 

She said organizers had three priorities in organizing Fan Fest.

“One is to celebrate the Solheim Cup coming to Toledo,” she said. “Two is to make sure we are cheering for the U.S.A.; it’s over Labor Day weekend. And thirdly and most importantly, we want to celebrate Toledo in all lights.” 

That last includes its local talent. Fan Fest is inviting several local acts to perform across four stages beginning at 2 p.m. Friday; performances begin at the Main Stage at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

The Main Stage is set up in Promenade Park, 400 Water St. The Jefferson Stage at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and North Summit Street; the Arts Alley Stage is at the corner of Madison Avenue and North Superior Street, and the Levis Square Stage is in Levis Square, at the corner of Madison Avenue and North St. Clair Street.

Jeff Stewart, Amelia Airharts, Ramona Collins, Chris Salyer, Black Swamp Rebels, and Electrik Circus are among the local acts leading into Gwen Stefani at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Chris Young performs at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. 

For a full schedule, go to promenadeconcerts.com. 

Amelia Airharts’ Megan Lesle-Heer and Cari Langenderfer are excited to share the same bill as a renowned artist such as Stefani.

“It’s pretty awesome. I grew up listening to No Doubt and followed Gwen [Stefani] when she branched off,” Langenderfer, a rhythm guitarist, said. “It’s great that musicians are back performing again. It’s nice to be able to get out and do shows, and we feel very fortunate to be a part of things getting back to some normalcy. We’re happy to be there and are glad to play a major show that’s happening downtown.” 

“It’s really cool to see Toledo host a large event and all the developments that are happening downtown. It’s going to be a great representation of Toledo and what we are as a city and community for people coming that don’t live here,” Lesle-Heer, the lead guitarist, said.

The duo began performing classic rock nearly seven years ago and has expanded the band to include Kelsey Rodriguez on lead vocals, Dave Cerelli on bass, and Brad Bilmaer on drums. They perform Levis Square Park Stage at 4 p.m. Friday.

Jeff Stewart, a full-time Americana musician, takes the same stage at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Stewart said he has nearly two albums worth of new music, and he plans to perform some new material during the festival.

“I’m going to go up there, just me and my guitar, and sing my songs,” Stewart said. “I’m looking forward to having a great time onstage.” 

Stewart said he also is excited to open for Stefani.

“This is going to be great for the city. There’s going to be a lot of people downtown ready for a good time. Gwen Stefani is a stunning person, and I’m looking forward to seeing her perform and the magic she brings to the stage. In general, I’m looking forward to being downtown and celebrating our city that I love. It’s an honor to be a part of the celebration,” Stewart said.

Aside from entertainment, the two-day event includes 20 local food vendors. The art stage also hosts non-musical entertainment. 

Fan Fest has a multi-block footprint downtown, in which access will be restricted to ticket-holders. Tickets begin at $30 for Friday and $25 for Saturday. There are five entry gates located along North St. Clair Street and North Summit Street.

Brucker said there is parking available in various downtown lots outside the Fan Fest area. However, organizers are recommending that attendees take advantage of the park-and-ride options. Tickets, $20, and details are available online through promenadeconcerts.com. 

“If you don’t want to fight the traffic we have the park and ride available,” Brucker said.

First Published September 2, 2021, 11:00 a.m.