LIMA — Liam Stolly makes good in Nashville and returns to Lima singing his hometown’s praises.
“It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of. It’s really going to be a cool moment for me,” said the former St. Gerard student and Lima native, who will perform for the first time from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the 2022 St. Gerard Festival.
Stolly, who has written about a dozen new songs for country music stars after moving to Nashville, said they should be released by the end of the year but is unable to disclose who will be singing them and for what record labels.
He was able to say he will be playing at least four of his original songs — “All She Wrote,” “Asphalt,” “Running Out on You” and “Leave Me Tennessee” — during his hometown’s parish and church festival.
The festival is back after skipping two years due to COVID-19. It takes place on the church campus, 240 W. Robb Ave, from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. In addition to live musical performances, like Stolly’s, there will be rides, games, raffles and games for the entire family.
Stolly’s performances at the festival will also include covers of songs by Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and other songs by well-known country artists.
“They’re the songs I grew up on and the ones I love playing,” Stolly said. “Ever since I was a kid, it’s always been country music for me. I just fell in love with the storytelling. Sure, I write about trucks, friends and dogs, but I also love really digging in and finding a new angle.”
Stolly, whose family has a long history of pitching in and helping with the festival fundraiser, said that he has been engaged in various aspects of keeping it going since he was a kid, working booths and helping to set up and tear down the three-day venue. This year, when he’s not on stage, he’ll be volunteering in the beer tent.
“Home sets you up for who you are and who you’re going to be,” Stolly said. “Being from Lima and a parishioner and former student at St. Gerard, looking back, I’m proud to say this is where it all started.”
His experiences early in life also play a role in his songwriting.
“I have such a great family. They taught me to be humble and down-to-earth, and that 100 percent plays into my songwriting,” Stolly said.
In addition to Stolly, the other live entertainers at the festival will include Brother Believe Me (8 p.m. to midnight Friday), 10-Year Rain (6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday), Electric Circus (8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday) and Hambone (4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday).
There will also be some limited-term events during this 42nd year of St. Gerard Festivals.
The corn hole tournament (a team-based competition tossing bean bags into boxes with holes) will be held Saturday morning.
The chicken dinner will be on Sunday.
The large raffle drawing with $20,000 in total prizes, with $10,000 as the largest single prize, will be held Sunday at 9 p.m.
As always, there will be mechanical rides provided through the Riverview, Florida-based company, Otterbacher Shows, as well as traditional carnival-style games and foods.
Organizers include Father Mike Sergi and this year’s five event co-chairs, Kelly Stolly, the husband-wife duo Lisa Davis and Jason Davis, Andi Patton and Steve Shutt.
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