Creed Fisher concert closes 2023 Festival of the Bells; Rick, Connie Williams recognized for years of Festival committee service

On a mild Saturday night, the 2023 Festival of the Bells concluded with an enthusiastic crowd enjoying a headlining performance by country music artist Creed Fisher, while longtime Festival committee members Rick and Connie Williams were also honored.

Previously announced headliner, “The Voice” winner Bryce Leatherwood, was unable to attend, as he had to cancel Friday afternoon due to illness.

The Festival of the Bells committee conducted the annual Festival auction, with help from longtime Festival committee chairman and local auctioneer Rick Williams. However, current Festival committee chairman Tom Zile first took time to honor Mr. and Mrs. Williams, inviting them to come on stage.

Rick Williams officially retired from the committee in December 2022 after 34 years of service, including 26 as committee president or co-chairman. During his tenure, Williams took the lead in booking entertainment and making the Festival of the Bells a premier event for country music in southern Ohio, with superstars such as Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Dierks Bentley among the artists performing in Hillsboro.

Connie Williams also retired after two decades of service as a committee member and treasurer.

“They had been involved in the festival for over 30 years,” Zile said. “We did not want to allow them to walk away without giving them an honor.”

The committee put together a photo slideshow of the Williams family’s years at the Festival, which can be seen at facebook.com/festivalofthebells, while Zile also presented them with a plaque in honor of their years of service.

“Your time and dedication has not gone unnoticed,” Zile said. “We know that under Rick, there were some tough years. We went through the COVID years and went through some tough times. We went through having to move from uptown.

“Let me just tell you — and I mean this with all my heart — if it were not for Rick Williams being president during that time, you would not still have the festival today. It was because of his tenacity and his pushing through.”

The crowd gave them a round of applause, as both former committee members were also given an opportunity to speak.

Rick Williams said that he remembered the years when their children were young and he would have to stay until the middle of the night to work at the Festival while Connie took the kids home. Connie agreed, saying she feels “we raised our family at the Festival of the Bells.

“The Fourth of July was always the Festival of the Bells,” she said. “Raise your family in this community, because we have a great one, and we need to keep it rolling.”

Rick Williams added that the success of the Festival can continue for many years with the help of sponsors, volunteers and members of the community.

“I hope you support the committee,” he told the crowd. “I had a great time doing it, but we’ve got two granddaughters now and want to do some things with them.”

Williams then conducted the annual auction, assisted by Rick and Connie’s son, Brad, and members of the Festival committee. Several great collectibles were sold, including a guitar autographed by all three artists from the 2023 festival; a refurbished #2 C.S. Bell; a wood cutout of the state of Ohio, also autographed by all three performers; Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Cavaliers memorabilia; and the most valuable item, a complete collection of commemorative Festival bells. Event sponsor Westview Motors was the top bidder on the night, spending thousands on several items from the auction.
 
Also on Saturday night, Zile introduced and thanked each member of the Festival of the Bells committee, as well as each sponsor. He encouraged anyone interested in joining the committee or becoming a sponsor for 2024 to reach out for more information.

For Zile’s first year as committee chairman, he said it was a “baptism by fire.”

“This is the first time in the history of the Festival of the Bells that the act on Saturday night canceled the night before,” he said. “Thursday night, we had a monsoon.

“So these guys [the committee] have done an amazing, amazing job.”

After the auction, Fisher appeared onstage after his band played an acoustic version of the national anthem, with those in attendance standing and removing their caps. That theme of patriotism was evident throughout his performance, including through songs such as “If You Have a Right to Burn My Flag,” which drew loud cheers and applause from the audience, including some standing ovations.

Fisher also wore a shirt with the name and logo of Whey Jennings — his Dirt Rock Empire label mate — who was the headliner at the Greenfield Music Festival earlier this summer.

Fisher sang a mix of southern rock and country, with songs such as “Maybe I Am,” “More Than One Year,” “You” and “People Like Me.” He slowed things down with his latest song “Lowdown and Lonesome” and covers such as Hank Williams Jr.’s “Too Many Highs and Too Many Lows.”

The final day at the Festival Saturday also included a busy schedule of activities, beginning with a 5K run/walk and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Railroad Street Park.

Saturday morning’s activities also included a pet parade and baby parade, cornhole tournament, a kids dash and a car show. The Highland County Historical Society hosted their annual Pioneer Day at the neighboring Scott House as well. Heavy rain slowed down some of the previously scheduled activities in the afternoon, including forcing the cancellation of the talent show.