KINGSTON — A group of veterans from several rock bands, including Steppenwolf and Pegasus, will present a music festival in June to benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The festival is scheduled for June 29, approximately 4 p.m., at Mike Wallace Park in Kingston.
It’s “really perfect timing,” because the Concerts on the Cove series begins the weekend after the benefit concert, said Colleen Carey, Kingston Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“We’re launching our summer concert series with a great cause,” Carey said.
Carey was approached by Glen Bui, manager and guitarist for Born to Be Wild (formerly Magic Carpet Ride), who wanted to hold a benefit concert for North Kitsap children undergoing treatment for cancer. Because other organizations had not responded quickly enough to meet a June date, Carey said she decided to work with Bui herself.
Born to be Wild is accustomed to raising money for good causes through rock ’n’ roll. As Magic Carpet Ride, the group headlined at the 2012 Americana Music Festival, raising a record $12,000; a portion of the net proceeds went to Coffee Oasis. Magic Carpet Ride helped sell out Full Moon Fest 2011, a benefit for The American Cancer Society, in Quilcene.
In 2009, Magic Carpet Ride played a special concert for the Thurston County Boys and Girls Club at the Great Wolf Lodge; the event raised more than $400,000. Magic Carpet Ride drew an audience of 500 to a 2010 concert in Saratoga, N.Y. to benefit an organization that serves individuals with disabilities and their families. More than $70,000 was raised.
Because the chamber can’t raise money for individuals, Seattle Children’s Hospital will be the beneficiary. However, families with children fighting severe illnesses will have the opportunity to set up booths or can pass out information to promote fundraising for their children’s treatments, Carey said.
The bands playing at the concert are donating their time. The Port of Kingston will provide the space for free. Seattle Children’s Hospital will help promote the event, Carey said. Kiwanis and Rotary have also said they will support the event, she said.
The event is still in early planning stages; it has not even been named yet. However, “It’s going to be a big event,” Carey said.
“Maybe we can make it an annual thing.”