Does anybody really know what time it is? Time for Chi-Town Transit Authority’s annual trek to the Walhalla Performing Arts Center!The premier Chicago tribute band is returning to WPAC over Father’s Day weekend to bring a high-energy performance of classic Chicago tunes — and as the main act for a fundraising show for the Knights of Columbus Charities, sponsored by Council 6884.The band Chicago formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, and began calling themselves the Chicago Transit Authority in 1968, then shortened the name in 1969. Chi-Town Transit Authority formed in 2017 as an eight-piece tribute band based out of Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to reproducing the “Chicago” concert experience. Chi-Town features a tight horn and woodwinds section combined with dynamic vocals and harmonies to fill the stage with the spectacular sounds of the legendary band, Chicago. The band’s setlist includes two songs from 1969 and a handful from the 1980s, but really focuses on a slew of hits from the 1970s.  

Though Chi-Town has been gracing the WPAC stage for six years, the performance as a Knights of Columbus fundraiser was started four years ago when one of WPAC’s ushers, Jim Gehrum, approached executive director Mark Thompson with the idea. “He is just a huge fan of the band, and he wanted to do a fundraiser for the Knights of Columbus,” Thompson said of Gehrum. “Chi-Town usually was at the tail-end of our season, so we thought, ‘Well, let’s just move it a little further out,’ and Father’s Day weekend seemed to fit well. “We rolled the two together, and it’s become a great Father’s Day event. And it continues to grow. We’re packed,” he added. “It’s a great fundraiser. Other than the cost of the staff and the cleaning of the building, we donate the (cost of the) building and myself.” Knights of Columbus choose different charities — typically for youth organizations or children’s hospitals — each year to give the proceeds to, Thompson said. “They do a great job. I want to say last year that they raised $8,000 to $10,000 off the one event — I don’t know the exact numbers — and it all goes back to charity,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty honorable thing that they do.” Gehrum is a “patriotic, red, white and blue guy,” Thompson said, so he puts on a patriotic pre-show event as part of the fundraiser.“ They’ve got some people that will be dressed as Uncle Sam , they’ll have somebody dressed as the Statue of Liberty, we’ll have some patriotic video slides and honoring all the veterans, of course,” Thompson said. “The Knights of Columbus will get up there … and talk about the organization and what they do and where the money is going this year and recognize folks within their organization and folks within the county that do and help support what they do. “The Knights also do raffles and an auction and hand out some fun trinkets, Thompson added. “It’s a fun event, and they do a great job with it,” he said. “They just put so much heart into it that you love and appreciate it. “You go through all that and, boom, then we go into the show,” he added. “It’s fun music and it’s great summer music. So just a fun event. We’ll have a great time.”“Let folks know we’ll have the air nice and cold in here for them. I love when people come up in the hotter months and they’ll come in and go, ‘Oh my God, that place is freezing,’ and I’ll tell them, ‘You’re welcome,’” Thompson said, laughing. “It’s nice to get out of the heat, come in here and have a great time and have fun.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday for the 7 p.m. patriotic pre-show celebration, with Chi-Town Transit Authority taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center, 101 E. North Broad St., Walhalla