Jimmie Allen Caps Sold Out, 2nd Annual Bettie James Fest

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Jimmie Allen. Photo: Peyton Dollar

Jimmie Allen wrapped his successful, sold out, 2nd annual Bettie James Fest last weekend (Aug. 13) at Hudson Fields in his hometown of Milton, Delaware.

Building on the success of the inaugural 2021 event, this year’s multi-genre festival featured even more musical performances from We The Kings, Lainey Wilson, Neon Union, Chayce Beckham, JJ Rupp and Kounty. The festival also featured two opening sets from local acts Derrick Daisley and George Downing.

Pictured (L-R): Alec Vidmar (Agent, UTA), Josh Garrett (Agent, UTA), Vikki Walls (show promoter, Bettie James Festival), Jimmie Allen, Ash Bowers (Manager, Wide Open Music), Lauren Hamrick (Manager, Wide Open Music). Photo: Peyton Dollar

Allen kicked off the hometown weekend by leading Team Allen in the Badges & Basketball Celebrity Game on Friday (Aug. 12) at Cape Henlopen High School. Facing off against former University of Maryland basketball player Andre Collins’s team, the all-star competition included actor Ryan Phillippe, former NBA all-star and fellow Dancing With the Stars contestant Iman Shumpert, former NFL player Cortland Finnegan and Beckham. Proceeds from the event benefited Dre’s Foundation and Pathways to Success, non-profits that serve the community’s at-risk students.

The Grammy-nominated artist established Bettie James Fest in 2021 in honor of his late grandmother Bettie Snead and late father James Allen. A portion of proceeds from event ticket sales went to the Community Matters Foundation, which raises money to help people in Sussex County, Delaware with a focus on children, the elderly, handicapped, and anyone who has experienced an unexpected tragedy.

Jimmie Allen. Photo: Peyton Dollar

“The second year of Bettie James Fest was a success; as an artist, I had so much fun, thankful to every person that came out, the crowd was amazing,” Allen notes. “It’s great to see the legacy of my dad and my grandma continue through music in the same place that they raised me. To be able to come back to the place that raised me, after having a little bit of success, just means so much ‘cause these are the people that made me who I am. This is the town that made me who I am.”

Allen will hit the road as a special guest on all 43 arena dates of Carrie Underwood’s “Denim & Rhinestones Tour,” which launches Oct. 15 and continues through spring 2023.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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