In its second year, everything about the Lightning Bug Music Festival got bigger.
Five bands took the stage at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, providing 1300 attendees with a stellar day of music and fun while raising a whopping $10,000 to send deserving kids to summer camp at nearby Dunes Learning Center.
Organizers, bands and concert-goers agreed that the event was a win-win. Music fans can add a family-friendly festival to their annual calendar, while kids in need get a chance to go to summer camp—many for the first time.
Gary educator, Tammy Tiede notes that most of her students lack options for enriching summer activities. “The value of this opportunity is priceless,” says Tiede. “The students learn so much while having the time of their lives. It is so important to provide these opportunities for students that would otherwise spend the summer indoors playing video games. Having the chance to discover what nature has to offer, is something the students never forget.”
That’s just the outcome that event organizers, Andrea Georgion and Jim Chaddock, were hoping for. They generously share credit for Lightning Bug Music Fest’s sophomore success with the many volunteers, partners and event sponsors including Centier Bank; Church, Church Hittle & Antrim; Coastal Valley Water Company; Custom Drying Solutions; Enbridge; Front Porch Music; Luke Family of Brands; NIPSCO; Valpolife.com; Thorgren Tool & Molding and Hunter's Brewing.
“It’s wonderful to see such robust support from the local and music community,” says Chaddock. Backstage, band members signed concert posters and donated albums, which will be auctioned at Dunes Learning Center’s annual fundraising gala in September—along with tickets to Lightning Bug Music Fest 2016, which will be held on Sunday, July 3rd. Learn more at www.duneslearningcenter.org.