Community

Music festival to benefit Weir High Band

WEIRTON - For generations, the Weir High Band has helped to boost the spirit of the community, performing at athletic events, in concerts, parades, and other local activities.

Now, the band is hoping the community will give it a boost in return.

The Band Booster Bash will be an all-day music festival, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 24, at the Weirton Event Center.

"It's, essentially, a benefit concert," explained Weir High band director Gavin Shaffer, who noted proceeds from the event will go toward the purchase of new uniforms for the band, and other needs.

The current uniforms were acquired around 2017, Shaffer said, explaining they previously had been used by another school.

"They're not even original to us," he said.

Organized through the Weir High School Band Boosters, the event will include a $5 per person entry fee, providing admission to the event featuring performances by 10 local bands, a variety of food trucks, local vendors and family friendly entertainment, according to organizers.

The band, itself, will help to kick things off with a performance at 11 a.m., according to a schedule posted through its social media platforms, with several other local acts taking the stage for the rest of the day. A full schedule is available online.

There also will be games, prize drawings, face painting and other activities throughout the day.

The hope, also, is for this not to be a one-time thing.

"We want to turn this into an annual event," Shaffer said.

The Weir High School Band Boosters is a volunteer organization which supports the band through fundraisers, community engagement, and volunteer service, in an effort to provide students in the program with ways to enhance their musical education, while strengthening school pride and community involvement.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)