Battle of the Bands benefits North Georgia nonprofit

Rock concert. Guitarist plays the guitar. The guitar illuminated with bright neon lights. Focus on hands. No face shown guitar tile music tile instrument tile / Getty Images
Rock concert. Guitarist plays the guitar. The guitar illuminated with bright neon lights. Focus on hands. No face shown guitar tile music tile instrument tile / Getty Images

Willow Tree Farms, known for its seasonal Christmas at the Farm celebration, is hosting its first large-scale music event, in support of the Sexual Assault Victims' Advocacy Center in Fort Oglethorpe.

"They do a lot of good for the community, which is why we want to help them out," said concert coordinator Cassidy Mashburn.

The special event venue is hosting a Battle of the Bands July 3 from 5-10 p.m. The Sexual Assault Center, which will receive half of the event proceeds, offers free, confidential counseling, a 24-hour crisis line, medical appointments, legal help with court cases, and more.

The event will feature performances from five local bands competing to be the crowd favorite and win $500 in cash.

Tickets are $15 in advance on Eventbrite or $20 at the gate. Kids 5 and younger are free.

All funding will go toward a 50/50 raffle in which half of the proceeds will go to a lucky attendee and the other half will go to the Sexual Assault Center. Additional raffle prizes, such as bowling passes and farm event passes, will be provided to second-, third- and fourth-place winners.

Mashburn said Willow Tree Farms has already raised a few hundred dollars thanks to event sponsors and she's projecting 1,000 attendees, per Eventbrite.

The bands performing include a mix of rock and country. Mashburn said the lineup features up-and-coming band Sinkhole, which features brass instrumentals; Rushing Wind, a Christian rock band; Daisy Skies, which performs psychedelic rock; country singers Kevin Long Band; and rock singers Petty Cache.

At the end of the night, all of the bands will gather onstage and the group with the loudest cheers of approval will win the cash prize.

Willow Tree Farms has an indoor and outdoor venue for a variety of events including weddings, parties, reunions and, now, concerts. Attendees can bring folding chairs to enjoy a large fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. A large tent and benches will be set up for additional seating.

Mashburn recommends close-toed shoes as attendees will have to walk on dirt and gravel pathways.

Other than water, no outside food or drink will be allowed in order to support local vendors at the event. Vendors will include Kona Ice and Choo-Choo Kettle Corn, as well as catering and beer from Rafael's. The Farm will be providing free water and selling limited-edition event T-shirts.

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines Mashburn said masks are strongly recommended for unvaccinated attendees.

"We want the community to be able to get out and have fun while staying safe," she said.

To learn more, visit willowtreefarms.com or contact them via Facebook page. Willow Tree Farms is located at 609 Post Oak Road in Ringgold.

Contact Samantha Burgess at samrenee1998@yahoo.com.

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