Davy’s Beavertown 2014

by Fred Velez

Davy Jones and Monkees fans gathered at Beavertown, PA on June 28th, 2014 for the third Davy Day since Jones passing in 2012. Among the guests in attendance were Monkees’ actress Valerie Kairys Venet, Monkee Magic book author Melanie Mitchell, author and Monkees.net blog writer Fred Velez. The bands performing included the Frodis Caper, Chris Pick, the Monkeephiles, the Characters and the Blue Meanies. Davy’s daughters Talia, Sarah and Annabel were there to raise money for Davy’s Equine charity. Jessica Jones was unable to attend but she sent her regards. Michael Schoenfelt who had arranged the first two Davy Beavertown memorials dedicated this years event to Beavertown Mayor Bill ‘Cloyd’ Wagner who had passed away the previous year and who was a good friend of Davy Jones and the Jones family, and the Mayor’s hat was placed on one of the speakers in his memory. Money raised at some of the booths went to the Davy Jones Equine Memorial Fund.The statue of Davy Jones which Altoona artist Chuck LaMark had been working on was not yet finished, but the head bust of the statue was on display with a sign reading ‘Head’ comically placed below it.

I was introduced on stage to interview Valerie Kairys Venet for a fan Q&A, and I began with a dedication to Peg McManus, the mother of Monkee Business Fanzine editor Maggie McManus, who had passed away earlier in the week. Valerie was well received by the fans and answered several questions about working with the Monkees on their TV show and confirmed that the song ‘Valleri’ was written about her and that she had been Davy’s stand-in on some episodes of the Monkees TV series. When the Characters performed their set Valerie joined them on stage for ‘Daydream Believer’ and I danced with Valerie during the song and we both took a big bow.

During the day fans were invited on stage to share their thoughts and memories of Davy and fan Amy Gravino gave a very moving speech about Davy which touched the crowd.

There were about 200 fans in attendance, less than the previous years. The Monkeemobile which was suppose be to at the event never showed up and the Bed Race was canceled as well. Davy’s daughters made an appearance during the Blue Meanies set riding the Davy’s Dangerous Daughters racing bed.

The Jones Girls, Sarah, Annabel and Talia

Despite a smaller crowd, it was still a fun event, some fans coming from as far as Japan to attend. Michael Schoenfelt made an important announcement that on June 21, 2015, a tree will be dedicated to Davy Jones’ memory in New York City’s Central Park, and he encouraged fans to visit the ‘A Tree Grows In Central Park’ Facebook page for further updates of next year’s event.

There was a great family feel at this year’s Beavertown event and a lot of people made new friends and Michael Schoenfelt hopes to arrange another Davy Davy in Beavertown for 2015.

Melanie Mitchell, Fred Velez, Sarah Jones, Valerie Kairys Venet, Talia Jones, Annabel Jones, Michael Schoenfelt

Fred Velez, 2014