by Geoff Fox
The hills outside of Hancock will be alive with the sound of music and people on Saturday, September 7, as the second 2 Mile Music Fest will be held in Kirkwood Park, raising money for Give Purrs A Chance.
The 2 Mile Music Fest runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kirkwood Park, 5231 Creek Road, in Hancock, rain or shine.
The 2 Mile Music Fest gets its name from Hancock being two miles wide, said Rick Bibbee, a music promoter, publisher, and fundraiser.
This will be the second year for the 2 Mile Music Fest.
Last year, the only music act was Adam Calvert and his tour bus with two opening acts on the IWL Mobile Stage, food and 12 bicycle giveaway as a fundraiser for Martha’s House the night before school started.
Bibbee said there were about 100 people who attended the event last year.
“The fundraiser is unique due to the fact that Modern Woodmen of America Chapter #361 of Hancock matched the net profits of the event up to $2,500,” he said.
This year, the members of Modern Woodmen of America Chapter #361 chose to support Give Purrs a Chance Cat Cafe in Berkeley Springs with the same donation match.
Bibbee said horizons were broadened to add a craft/vendor show and a car show.
“We will still have food by donation, and a collaborative effort on the event with other organizations and companies,” he added.
Sammie from Atlantic Off-Road and Performance will be coordinating the car show. Bibbee said there is a small entry fee that will be split with the charity after costs for the trophies are covered. The last car show Sammie ran had 200 cars.
Bibbee said Martha’s House would be assisting with the food preparation and serving, splitting the proceeds from food donations to Give Purrs a Chance.
The craft show, which Bibbee is running, will give the proceeds to Give Purrs a Chance as well.
There are 70 spaces planned, but as of August 19, there are about 30 filled. Bibbee said there is more room if others want to add on.
Bibbee has already gone through the community securing sponsors for the event and sponsor funds are paying for the musical acts, advertising, signage, park rental, and other costs.
The event itself is free, so no tickets are required. Bibbee said it will be a donation-only event for food and generosity.
“Give what your heart says and your wallet allows,” he said.
There will be games for kids such as a spin wheel with a prize every time, with a suggested $1 donation, and other games are being evaluated, such as the duck pond and ring toss, to viability and volunteers to man them.
Adult challenge seekers will have a cold cash challenge from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bibbee said the challenge involves coins being dropped in the bottom a keg bucket with lots of ice and water.
The challenge is to get the biggest handful of coins off the bottom and is scored by counting the dollar value of the coins where the highest dollar value wins.
Bibbee suggests bringing a towel if you plan on participating.
Set up for the event is at dawn with the car show and craft /vendor booths running 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. At 4 p.m., event breakdown begins.
There will be music all day with Paul Williams from Berkeley Springs taking the stage from 11 a.m. to noon. The Lowe Road from Hagerstown takes the stage next from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m., followed by The Missing Years from the Martinsburg and Hagerstown areas from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.
At 4 p.m., Adam Calvert takes the stage for his acoustic show, Bibbee said.
No outside food or drink is allowed, as the sale of food is where the charity money comes from.
Bibbee said folks should bring a chair or blanket to sit on to watch the music performances, but the stage would be angled toward the pavilion, which seats 400 people. That’s where the food and games are located.
“This is rain or shine, the big pavilion gives us options,” he said. “There are public restrooms, but no electric at the vendor sites.”
The stage Bibbee is using is a 16-foot box truck with a 12 foot by 8 foot stage bolted to the side and folds up and down and supplies its own power for the show with inverters.
The IWI Mobile stage is a separate business from his role as an insurance agent for the Modern Woodmen, Bibbee said.
