It might not be Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in upstate Bethel, but the Huntington High School grass athletic field will form the backdrop for this Saturday’s Bands for a Build music festival that’s expected to produce just as much fun as Woodstock did in 1969, but without any of the controversy.
Huntington High School’s Habitat for Humanity chapter has organized the May 12 festival to raise monies to support their efforts to provide housing for those who need it most, especially folks whose homes were destroyed by hurricanes that tore through Texas. Planning for the festival has been ongoing for months.
The big event is the idea of Huntington senior Quinn Blackburn, who serves as the Habitat for Humanity chapter’s dynamic president. The Syracuse University bound teenager hopes the five hour event will raise at least $5,000.
“We have a lineup of really diverse music, which will range from classic rock and Latin to rap,” Mr. Blackburn said. “People should feel free to bring chairs or blankets and relax.” Many folks say they intend to have a picnic at the festival.
Senior Bethany Danziger is handling marketing and public relations for the music festival. If 1,000 people or more show up, organizers will be ecstatic.
The first band is scheduled to take the stage at 2 p.m. The festival is expected to conclude at 7 p.m. “There will be food and games, including a KanJam tournament, so there will be plenty of things to do,” Mr. Blackburn said. “There will be raffles, too.”
Some of the bands feature current Huntington students and faculty members who also happen to be spectacular musicians. Snow Day includes high school Principal Brenden Cusack.
Tickets are being sold to students on a pre-event basis for $5. Tickets will also be available at the gate for $7 for students and $10 for adults.
The lineup of bands includes Poor Sylvester, No Apple, Snow Day, Bud Santana & Nandi Finesse and Triple M Fiesta.
Poor Sylvester consists of Teddy Holly, Aidan McCooey, Katherine DeGennaro, Mikey Colon, James Ahern, Nick Haupt, Aidan Walsh, James Obermaier and Will Mejia.
No Apple includes musicians Matt Motherway, Jack Salzman, Nick Paul and Conor Atkinson.
Snow Day features Brenden Cusack, Frank Battista, Matt Gelfer, Eric Reynolds, Rob Krakehl and Mark Dara.
Bud Santana & Nandi Finesse and Triple M Fiesta are comprised of spectacular musicians, too.
The bands have been rehearsing and finalizing their set lists. “The band is sounding pretty solid,” said Mr. Holly, who pays guitar for Poor Sylvester. “We’re putting our own spin on every cover we’re doing and we’re really excited for the festival.”
Joining Mr. Blackburn on the Huntington chapter’s executive board are Kyle Chin (treasurer) and Casey DiGiacomo (secretary). The group includes about 100 members.
Contact club faculty advisor Robert Gilmor III at either (631) 673-2170 or rgilmor@hufsd.edu if you are interested in supporting the cause behind the event.