Sponsors generate great charitable outcomes for Bands, Brews & BBQ, McHenry
This year’s Bands, Brews & BBQ fest will feature eight stellar bands plus mouthwatering food, an array of craft beers and other libations over three days from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 16-18, at Petersen Park in McHenry.
The band lineup includes John Todd and Jimmy Nick on Friday night; RealTime Noise, Recaptured — A Tribute to Journey and 8 Miles South on Saturday; and John Ballantyne’s Crazy Heart, Tennessee Whiskey and Wildwood Country on Sunday. For complete lineup details, visit mrbbb.com/bands.
Discounted tickets are available now for $7.50 each; the price at the gate will be $15 daily. Other ticket options and more information are available at Eventbrite.com.
Bands, Brews & BBQ is McHenry Area Rotary’s chief fundraising event, and is one that has raised about $300,000 for numerous charitable causes over the last 12 years. With the 2024 dates and lineup determined, top of mind now is landing the sponsorships that make all the difference to charitable outcomes, event organizers said.
“Just in the last eight months, since our last Bands, Brews & BBQ, our club has provided $26,063 to nine incredible causes,” said Don Tonyan, club president and event co-chairman. “We have also committed $20,000 toward our new Dual Credit program partnership with McHenry High School District 156, something we are very excited about. We could not do any of this without our sponsors.”
A list of grants delivered since Bands, Brews & BBQ 2023 follows:
• $6,000 for disaster relief in Lahaina, Hawaii
• $6,000 to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
• $5,000 to Rotary Secret Santa
• $2,500 to Youth and Family Center of McHenry County
• $2,500 for Sunbeams Christian School, Uganda
• $1,100 for food supplies in war-torn Ukraine
• $1,000 to Kids in Need of McHenry County for children’s winter coats
• $988 for construction supplies toward building a boys’ dorm at a school in Cruce La Esperanza, Guatemala
• $975 for McHenry Knights of Columbus Council 1288
Already stepping up this year are presenting sponsors the McHenry Outdoor Theater — Golden Age Cinemas and the McHenry Auto Dealers Association, comprised of Buss Ford, Castle Chevrolet Buick GMC McHenry and Sunnyside Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Other top sponsors so far include the Northwest Herald, Star 105.5, Jay Adams and Lolly Meyer, Steffan’s Jewelers, Elgin Recycling and the Volo Museum. The latter four are band sponsors, generously supplying funds needed to pull in great talent. Four band sponsorship opportunities remain, as do numerous other sponsorship options.
“Sponsoring Bands, Brews & BBQ is a highly visible way to say your business cares about youth development as well as neighbors in need,” said Denis Buch, event co-chairman. “We look forward to building on our past success, and would love to add new businesses to our much-appreciated list.”
Anyone interested is encouraged to visit mrbbb.com/sponsor, or call Tonyan at 815-482-0746.