Before the fun, there is the fundraising. The Sunnyside Music Festival volunteers have launched a fundraising effort to shore up the beloved Greater Highlands music festival, which suffered bad weather last September and left the rolls in the red.
The community, in true Highlands spirit, has begun to rally. A new Board has been formed to advise the Festival's all-volunteer staff. The Board is headed up by community leaders such as former Councilman and new Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Rick Garcia; Mollie O'Brien, national recording artist and Prairie Home Companion regular; and our own John Skrabec, former advertising agency guru and owner of LIVE Urban Real Estate.
œThe Sunnyside Music Festival is truly a premier event for the entire city of Denver. I want to help to keep it going, Garcia said of the invitation to join the Board.
In order to make the Festival even better, volunteers are busy raising money to make up for last year's devastating weather. A chili cook-off at the home of Mary and Josh Groner raised nearly $1000. A Girls' Garden Gala June 16 at the home of Rebecca Caldwell promises to transport NW Denver ladies into an evening of wine, hors ˜d oeuvres and select local shopping (email rebecca@gatherings-meetings.com for details and tickets). Corporate fund-raisers are reaching out to local business owners. Chad and Jen Gauerke will host a family Tie Dye Festival July 3 for only $10 a ticket, which includes t-shirt and all the materials. The Battle of the Bands will be back this year bigger and better than ever in early August. Last year's event to showcase Highlands' talent was a huge success. For ticket information and to donate to the Festival, go to www.sunnysidemusicfestival.org.
In return for all the kindness and support from the community, the Sunnyside Music Festival will treat its top donors to another fun VIP Party, and spots in the VIP tent on the day of the festival (stay tuned for details at the SMF website).
Mark your calendar for the summer's best grassroots community event: Sept. 11, 2010 in Chaffee Park at 44th and Tejon. Meantime, go to www.sunnysidemusicfest.org to donateany and all amounts welcome and appreciated!
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