SUNDRE – Since there are already numerous non-profit entities that endeavour to support cancer research, the main organizer of this weekend’s Adamstock said proceeds raised help families who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of a cancer diagnosis.
“100 per cent of the money goes straight towards the families,” Daris Kieley told the Albertan.
“We deal with the Calgary Children’s Hospital and the Stollery (Children’s Hospital Foundation) out of Edmonton,” said Kieley, adding their organization has of late seen something of a surge in requests for help.
“We deal with quite a lot of families every year and we’re finding that there’s more and more applications coming through and the need is definitely greater than ever before,” she said.
“The last few months, we’ve seen quite a few emergency applications come through,” she said, adding they so far this year have already paid out approximately $15,000 to help families cover a range of expenses from rent to car payments as well as groceries and utilities through an application-based process.
“In 2023, we had only given out $11,000,” she said.
“So, we’re really hoping that Adamstock can pull in a bunch of money.”
The Adam’s Army Charitable Foundation was established in memory of Adam Cripps, who in 2014 died of cancer at the young age of 16. Cripps had developed an affinity for outdoor concerts such as the Boonstock Festival in Gibbons, which in turn inspired his family to keep his memory alive through music.
The 11th edition of Adamstock, which also includes a market for vendors, takes place Aug. 16-17 at the Sundre Rodeo Grounds.
“There are 24 bands in total including the headliners,” she said.
Among the main names on the docket are: BC DC, Julian Austin, Brayden King, and Sweet Tequila.
“As usual, we have every genre,” she said, adding the concert covers quite a spectrum.
“There is some punk, some hillbilly punk, rock n’ roll, there’s country, there’s rap, there’s folk.”
Although the music festival is celebrating its 11th edition, it’s only their second time returning to Sundre.
“It’s amazing to have their location,” Kieley said, referring not only to being welcomed back by the municipality that contributed $1,500 to help promote the event, but also the Sundre Rodeo & Race Association, which waived the fee for the use of the rodeo grounds.
“The Town of Sundre has been absolutely amazing in helping us with Adamstock and sponsoring,” she said, going on to express gratitude to all of the local businesses who also pitched in to help out.
The organizers ideally aspire to continue hosting the event in town; at least for the foreseeable future.
“That is our hope,” she said when asked.
“There was no apprehension for us to return; everybody was quite happy with last year and how we handled everything and so we decided to up our game a little bit and bring in these bigger headlining acts.”
Visit www.adamsarmy.ca for more about the organization
