The Vindys is an alt-rock band that delivers ripping guitars, a driving horn section, and powerhouse vocals led by front woman Jackie Popovec with a sweet and soulful style. Their sophomore album Bugs blends rock, blues, and vintage pop for a dynamic listening experience that will make you curious to whether their music best suits a jazzy supper club or rock and roll arena. The band is currently direct support for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo on their 2025 US Spring Tour.

With Special Guest Openers: Wine & Spirit and Candace Campana

Agenda

(These times are subject to change. Check our web site schedule for any last minute updates.)

1:00 PM – Big Rail Tap Room Opens

Hang out and grab a beer and lunch from the food truck.

5:00 PM – Beer Garden Gates open for ticket holders

If you’ve checked in and received a wrist band you’ll be able to freely enter & exit the beer garden / venue area starting at 5:00pm.

6:30 PM – Let the Show Begin

Opening performances first, followed by The Vindys

Enjoy a day full of beer, chili, music and fires!

Does your chili have what it takes to bring home the grand prize?

Event Proceeds benefit Grove City United Way. Feel free to add a donation to your entry fee!

GRAND PRIZE:

• $250 cash prize and your entry fee refunded
• A pouch of Big Rail Beer Chips (each chip good for a free pint)
• Prizes for 2nd and 3rd place will also be awarded.

Contestants:

We’re limiting this year to 15 contestants. Contestant ticket sales will be cut off one week before the event.

Please set up between 10am-1pm.

As a contestant you will be required to provide the following:

• Someone to serve your creation
• Serving and heating equipment. Bring your own serving untensils.
• Garnishes to accompany your chili at your own discretion.
• Anything you need for cleanup.

Your chili must be cooked and preferably still warm prior to arrival. During cooking process, chili must be kept at 170° for at least one hour, and please maintain a serving temperature of 140°F.

Big Rail will Provide the following:

• Power for crock pots (however it would help if you can bring a self contained heat source such as a Sterno or small propane burner)
• Bowls, spoons and napkins
• Sample cups
• Ballots for voting
• Signage with your chili’s number
• Table
• Crackers

Tasters:

Tasting starts at 2pm. A taster ticket allows you to sample all the chili your heart desires, crackers to cleanse your palate between chilis, cast a vote for your favorite, and fill up a bowl to enjoy! Taster tickets will also be available the day of the event.

This year’s music lineup:

• Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers
• Charlie Barath Blues Band
• Max Schang Blues Band
• The Delta Struts
• Billy Price Blues Combo

Food Vendors:

• Knife & Hearth Woodfired Eatery
• Ef’n Good BBQ

Plus vendors & more!

Big Rail Brewing is pleased to present the return of The Clarks, live in concert, September 21st, 2025 at 5pm on our stage in the woods! Get ready for an unforgettable evening with one of Pittsburgh’s most widely renowned rock bands, in a beautiful rustic venue tucked away in the western Pennsylvania forest. With special guest opening act: Ben Gage and the Big Rail House Band.

About The Clarks

The four original Clarks members, Scott Blasey (vocals, acoustic guitar), Rob James (6 and 12-string electric guitars, vocals), Greg Joseph (bass, vocals) and David Minarik (drums, vocals) first met while students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in the late ’80s.

With a highlight reel that includes the Late Show with David Letterman, The Simpsons, and others, The Clarks are enjoying their time together as a band now more than ever. “It’s one big extended family,” says guitarist Rob James. “Dave’s son Noah plays on our albums, and with us live, so saying that isn’t just a metaphor, it’s fact!”

Singing and playing new songs from the band’s 2022 EP Tracks and their 2018 full-length Madly In Love At The End Of The World has rekindled a fire in The Clarks’ sometimes broken, sometimes mended hearts.

Visit The Clarks’ Web Site >>

Agenda

2:00pm – Big Rail Tap Room Opens / Early Check-in Begins

Because of the size of this event, **just for today** we’ll be requiring all visiting patrons to have or purchase a ticket to be on-site. Once you’ve checked in and received a wrist band, you can hang out and have a pint in the tap room & back patio area until the beer garden gates open.

3:30 PM – Beer Garden Gates open for ticket holders

If you’ve checked in and received a wrist band you’ll be able to freely enter & exit the beer garden / venue area starting at 3:30pm.

5:00 PM – Let the Show Begin

Opening band (Ben Gage and the Big Rail House Band) first, followed by The Clarks

Please read the FAQ page for more information on Big Rail’s concerts.

Jim Donovan and The Sun King Warriors are best described as a blend of rhythm heavy roots rock, with a strong dose of big barreling drums. Think bluesy Zeppelin-esqe bombast, Santana style percussion with wild Avett Brothers energy.

At a Sun King show, you can expect to dance, sweat and have the time of your life.

The band’s music has garnered radio airplay throughout the US and Canada, and has appeared on Billboard’s Americana chart multiple times.

The band plays regionally at festivals and clubs throughout the mid-atlantic and have opened for 10,000 Maniacs, Donovan’s former band Rusted Root and many others.

Jim Donovan, the band’s founder and writer brings almost three decades of experience to the Sun King Warriors. As a member of the popular 90’s band Rusted Root, he helped shaped the group’s sound and toured with legendary including The Grateful Dead, members of Led Zeppelin, Carlos Santana and the Allman Brothers.

He also co-authored the band’s biggest hit, “Send Me on My Way,” which has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify and used as the wakeup music for NASA’s Mars rover.

Press quotes:

“Jim Donovan and Sun King Warriors are one of the most eclectic and exciting bands to come out in some time…” -The Washington Times
“Sun King Warriors channel unabashed enthusiasm into a series of songs that are both rowdy and rejuvenating…” -Relix Magazine

Whiskey River is the premier Willie Nelson tribute act – The band’s authentic show will play the old favorites, some staples of the Willie live show, and present a journey through the iconic songbook of Willie Nelson. This band features a crew of Pittsburgh all stars including Shane McLaughlin, Jason Borisoff, Dave Shepherd, Kevin Lynch and Treasure Treasure. Grab a ticket and saddle up for a night of classic outlaw country celebrating one of the greatest artists and songwriters of our time!