Bartlett firefighters' Smoke & Irons Music Fest to raise funds for medical bills

Bartlett firefighters will again seek funds for those experiencing financial hardship due to recent medical conditions through the Smoke & Irons Music Fest Aug. 11 and 12 at Apple Orchard Park in Bartlett.

The fest will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, in the park at 692 W. Stearns Road.

Ignite the Courage, a registered charitable organization created by Bartlett firefighters in 2017, has seen the vast majority of its recipients be families with a child battling cancer while the parents try to make ends meet. The organization is always seeking more recipients with the help of local hospitals, churches, schools, community organizations and word-of-mouth.

In addition to the music itself, the fest will feature beer, beer tasting, food trucks, a craft show and bags tournament.

The event starts next Friday with the "unofficial blues night" featuring Chicago blues legend Al Spears and the Hurricane Project, with his protégé, 13-year-old Alex Olson, taking the stage at 4 p.m.

They will be followed by blues rock veteran Patrick Sweany, and then the headliner, globe-trotting Chicago blues rockers The Steepwater Band.

The music resumes Saturday with the first band at 10 a.m. during the Bartlett Fire District's Touch-a-Truck and won't end until 10 p.m.

Singer and guitarist Matt Keen will hit the stage with his band at 6 p.m., followed by country artist the Joe Stamm Band, recently awarded Peacemaker Festival Emerging Artist of the Year.

Ten breweries will take part in this year's expanded beer tasting. The bags tournament starting at 1 p.m. Saturday is sponsored by O'Hare's Pub.

As in past years, the Smoke & Irons Music Fest will have a wide selection of food from local vendors and area food trucks, craft show and kids activities.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to better settle in for two full days of enjoyment.

To learn more, visit ignitethecourage.org and follow the group on Facebook and Instagram.