CareFest attracts 1200+ music lovers
By Donnie A. Lucas
An estimated 1,200 people attended the third annual CareFest on Saturday, benefitting the ResourceCare centers in six area communities.
The event featured nine individuals and groups including Roger Creager, Stoney Larue, and Giovannie and the Hired Guns.
According to one of the event organizers, Ragan Riley, the event turned out well. A tally of the funds raised were not available at press time.
“This year we are planning to use the proceeds to buy a vehicle to transport patients to medical appointments,” Riley said. “We have used our own personal vehicles in the past, but the insurance rates increased so much this year that it will be more feasible to purchase a vehicle owned by ResourceCare.”
She added that the vehicle will be used to transport patients from home to the ResourceCare clinics, as well as taking them to specialty appointments in Abilene. The vehicle will be used by all six clinic locations.
Organizers were pleased with the crowd and how smoothly the event went.
“We had close to 1,200 people, with a lot of tickets sold at the gate,” Riley said. “Everything went well – it couldn’t have gone any better – and there were no issues.”
She did say that attendance was down some from the last event in 2019.
“We had a few conflicts with the date, and COVID kept some people away,” she said. “But the weather was great, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without all the great local volunteers from the community.”
She added that all of the artists who played seemed to be pleased to help with the cause.
“They said they had a great time, and everything was well-organized,” she said. “Several of them stated that the venue had the prettiest view they ever played at.”
The event was held again at Happy Wife, Happy Life event venue located three miles northwest of Albany.
Other performers included Dylan Wheeler, Shea Absheir, Randy Brown, the 360 Band, Cole Barnhill, and Jeff Martin.
CareFest was supported by a host of area sponsors, with tickets selling at $60 for general admission, $125 for preferred admission, and $250 per person for VIP tickets. There was also a charge for parking and bringing in coolers.
Food and drinks were provided by area food trucks.
