It’s ironic that the Huntington High School Habitat for Humanity chapter’s first ever music festival came up against stormy weather this past Saturday. Dark skies and occasional drizzle held down the crowd, but the event still produced some great sounds and an afternoon of fun while raising monies to help victims of hurricanes in Texas.
A series of spectacular bands playing a variety of musical genres entertained the crowd, which was sprawled out on the grass athletic field. There were games, food, refreshments and assorted raffles. Several thousand dollars were raised despite the less than optimal conditions.
“As it was Huntington’s first ever music festival, I am proud of how everything came together and appreciative of how much money we raised to help the hurricane victims, despite the weather,” Habitat chapter President Quinn Blackburn said.
Sponsors included KidsHitz, Palacios Law Group, Sweeties Candy Cottage, L&L Camera, Equinox Financial Partners and Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, an intellectual property boutique law firm. More than $3,000 was raised in all.
“I think the festival was a huge success,” Principal Brenden Cusack said. “Quinn Blackburn is to be commended for putting so much effort into putting on this great event. I really enjoyed performing with Snow Day. They are a phenomenal group of musicians and it was truly a privilege to play alongside them. The weather might have kept larger crowds away, but it didn’t put a damper on the fun at all. All the bands were just amazing! My own kids definitely had fun.”
The performing bands included Poor Sylvester, No Apple, Snow Day, Bud Santana & Nandi Finesse and Triple M Fiesta. The music ranged from classic rock and Latin to rap. Some of the groups motivated the crowd to get on its feet and start dancing.
“Despite the weather, the music festival was a success,” said senior Bethany Danziger, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies. “I was happy to see the turnout came from students of many different schools. At the end of the day, the community came together to raise money for a great cause and that’s all we could have hoped for.”
The crowd itself was diverse, with Huntington School Board members, district executives, parents, relatives and band groupies and an amazing cross-section of current students.
“The festival was an excellent example of how our amazing Huntington community can come together to help those that have been struck down by natural disaster,” said Robert Gilmor III, the founding faculty advisor for Huntington’s Habitat for Humanity club, who continues to guide the group. “Plus to all those that supported our Texas Habitat initiative, we hope that this will only be the beginning of many more supportive Habitat for Humanity music festivals.”
If was often difficult to determine who was having more fun, the band members or the crowd, which even on an otherwise dreary day kept its spirits high.
“I want to thank everyone in Habitat for Humanity, especially Quinn and Mr. Gilmor for making this event happen,” said junior Teddy Holly, who plays guitar for Poor Sylvester. “I feel really grateful to have been part of such an amazing cause. It was a fun time as both a performer and an audience member.”
