* BENEFIT FOR JOHNSONIA FIRE VICTIMS

FITCHBURG RESIDENTS RALLY TO PLAN BENEFIT FOR JOHNSONIA FIRE VICTIMS

Music Festival Planned for Aug. 6 at Riverfront Park in Fitchburg

FITCHBURG, MA - The Fitchburg community will present the Johnsonia Relief Fund Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., at Riverfront Park in Fitchburg to raise funds to help the 60 people affected by the Johnsonia Building fire that occurred in June. The Johnsonia Building, at 520 Main St., suffered a devastating 6-alarm fire that left the residents of the 42 units without a place to live and destroyed the majority of their belongings. This festival will help these residents as they put their lives back together.

The planning committee for this event has received a tremendous outpouring of the support from the businesses, musicians and citizens of the greater Fitchburg area.  

"What started out as a couple of people working to plan a small festival has grown to a committee of well over 50 from Fitchburg and the surrounding communities banding together to organize an all day event that will surely make a huge difference in these families lives," said Andrea Neale, a member of the Johnsonia Relief Fund Planning Committee. "It has been absolutely amazing to see the support and hard work from all of those involved. It is often difficult to see the positive side of a tragedy such as this, but as the committee grows each week, it becomes easier to find it."

Tickets are $25 in advance,and  $40 per couple, with a free commemorative glass. Kids under 12 are free. Kid-friendly events will run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. Tickets at the door are $28 and commemorative glasses are $2. Discount for couples at the door does not apply.

Online ticket sales for the music festival are at charityhappenings.org. 

All of the funds raised through the music festival will go directly to the families affected. All donations, contributions & correspondences should be sent to Fitchburg Police Association, P.O. Box 7476, Fitchburg, MA 01420. FPA is a recognized 501-C3 Organization making all donations tax deductible.
 
All musicians scheduled to perform have volunteered their time and talent to support these families and give something back to the Greater Fitchburg Area.  A preliminary schedule of the performers is listed below:
 
11:00 am: Stage # 1, Jazz Depot
11:30 am: Stage # 2, Cosmic Moxa
12:00 pm: Stage # 1, Gale Country
12:30 pm: Stage # 2, Keith McLinden
1:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Hudlin
1:30 pm:   Stage # 2, John Dupont
2:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
2:30 pm:   Stage # 2, Scott Babineau
3:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Will D'Archangelo and the Tribe
3:30 pm:   Stage # 2, Ryan Witkos
4:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Just Sayin
4:30 pm:   Stage # 2, Every Other Country
5:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Midnight Sun
5:30 pm:   Stage # 2, Aaron's Pants
6:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Rainy Day Activities
6:30 pm:   Stage # 2, John Nickerson
7:00 pm:   Stage # 1, JC DC
7:30 pm:   Stage # 2, Andy Cummings
8:00 pm:   Stage # 1, Five Hole


For more details on the event activities and sponsors or to purchase tickets in advance, please visit the event website at www.johnsoniarelief.com. Information can also be found on the music festival's Facebook page and Twitter profile.