Chamber Member of the Week: Rally Point Events
Lance Yearby and Joe Medley formed Rally Point Events in 2018 to support local veterans and nonprofits in the tri-state area. The organization hosts regional events, including food and music festivals, to support its mission.
Locally, the nonprofit hosted Owensboro’s first-ever Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event called Bulls and Ghouls. The event raised over 1,000 pairs of shoes for kids in the community and a significant amount of money for local veterans. Jerry Ray Davis Jeep and Chrysler was the title sponsor of the event.
“Owensboro really got behind us – it was one of the best shows we’ve ever done,” Yearby said. “We were able to grow our Kicks for Kids programs and donate thousands of dollars back to veterans in the area. We aim to grow to two nights next year and raise more than $3,000 shoes.”
Yearby and Medley returned from service in Iraq and immediately realized that their fellow veterans needed help.
“When we got back from Iraq, we noticed several suicides from within our company,” he said. “We had to create a way to offer relief from some of the struggles our brothers were facing.”
Their first event was Red, White, and Brown in Evansville, a concert in Evansville, which Yearby described as a “flop.” They remained steadfast in their efforts, thankfully forming a relationship with Jasper, Indiana’s Tourism Commission, who saw value in the event.
“When Jasper saw the event, they asked us to take it there. We did, and it was a success, but then, Covid happened,” Yearby said. “After being shut down for a year, we returned, which was a huge success. We’ve booked several national acts, including Craig Morgan, and continue growing.”
Red, White, and Brown is held annually on Memorial Day weekend. This year, Rally Point Events will host it at League Stadium this year, the iconic home of the Rockford Peaches in the Hollywood film A League of Their Own.
Rally Point Events also sells out two nights of PBR rodeos in Evansville annually and hosts a PBR event in Marion, Illinois.
Yearby said sponsors play a primary role in their success.
“We have the manpower, experience, and knowledge to host amazing events, but it all goes back to sponsorships,” he said. “We couldn’t do this without sponsors getting behind us. It allows for all the money raised to go back to the community.”
He added that they want to expand their footprint in Owensboro, potentially bringing a country music festival to the area.
Search Rally Point Events; Red, White, and Brown; and all three PBR events on Facebook to learn more.
“We’re happy to be a part of Owensboro and look forward to investing more time and energy into the area,” Yearby said. “The Eric Group and Concert Light and Sound are awesome partners. We want to be the go-to for every event in the area.”
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times