The Friends of Garfield Park are pleased to announce BlakeStrong Fest Higher Light 2019 Saturday, July 20, from 4:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the MacAllister Amphitheater in historic Garfield Park. Garfield Park is located at 2432 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis. The annual event celebrates the life and memory of Blake Bowell and his courageous brain cancer fight and is co-sponsored by the Friends of Garfield Park, Inc., Bud Light, Prime 47-Indy’s Steakhouse and Indy Parks.
BlakeStrong Fest is a unique opportunityto bring neighbors together for food, drinks, and fun.
Connecting the power of music to raise awareness and funds to support families in central Indiana who are enduring the fight against brain cancer. A $10.00 donation for admission is requested.
The Third Annual BlakeStrong Fest will include two Budweiser beer trucks, numerous food trucks, frozen treats, a kids/family area, live music and dancing. New to the festival is an exceptional, music line-up, including four of Indianapolis’s most popular acts. Local favorite and headliner, HyRyder (A Grateful Dead experience), will perform at 8:00 p.m. Opening acts include Free But Not Cheap at 4:00p.m., followed by The Lookouts at 5:15 p.m. and Barbender at 6:30p.m. Special appearances will be made by local songstress Cathy Morris and the Indianapolis 500 Gordon Pipers. There is free parking throughout the park in designated lots and neighborhoodstreets.
The family of a 25-year-old who died of brain cancer in 2017 is continuing his legacy of helping others. BlakeStrong Fest is in honor of Blake Bowell who died nearly four years after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Throughout his four-year battle, his family says he was always positive and never complained about what he was going through. In fact, the Franklin Central alumnus known for his running wanted to help other patients. Before his passing, Blake and his father, Mark, established the BlakeStrong Bowell Fund, a foundation dedicated to helping fund cancer research and providing financial assistance for those in need.
Since its inception in 2014, the BlakeStrong Bowell Fund has contributed to over a dozen local and national causes. Annual scholarships include the BlakeStrong College Scholarship awarded to two Franklin Central High School Track and Field Seniors and the Webber International Warrior Scholarship awarded to one Football Player.
Additional funding is provided to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the National Brain Tumor Society. This year funds raised will also go to the Friends of Garfield Park for the ongoing maintenance of the soon to be dedicated Blake’s Garden in the park.
“We are thrilled to be hosting BlakeStrong Fest again this year at Garfield Park. The entertainment scheduled should provide something for everyone and we hope to see many friends – old and new – out for this special day!” said BlakeStrong Fund Vice President Lakin Bowell.
The BlakeStrong Bowell Fund uses funds raised for community programs and supports families by offering scholarships and financial support to young members of the community in need. Additionally, the fund provides support to other community groups including Riley Hospital for Children, and Purdue University Cancer Research.
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