Academy Square came alive with music and generosity as The Oaks at Lebanon Assisted Living and the Lebanon Strawberry Festival collaborated to host the 8th annual Mid-Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s benefit concert featuring the Heart tribute band “Barracuda” on July 27.
The concert showcased the community’s strong commitment to supporting each other and their causes by creating a memorable evening combining classic rock and hometown charity.
It was a warm summer evening and the outdoor space at Academy Square transformed into a bustling hub of activity and entertainment. The concert drew a large crowd, from families with young children to older residents, all eager to enjoy a night of classic rock while contributing to a meaningful cause.
The benefit concert featured several avenues for fundraising, ensuring there were plenty of ways for attendees to contribute. A highlight of the evening was the raffle, with a grand prize of an outdoor adventure package including a Yeti cooler, camp chairs, an outdoor fireplace and Blackstone barbeque grill. Audience members eagerly purchased raffle tickets, hoping for a chance to win one of two prizes.
In addition to the main raffle, there was also a quilt raffle, showcasing a handmade quilt donated by a local artisan. The intricate craftsmanship of the quilt drew considerable interest.
For those looking to get closer to the action, $10 tickets for the VIP section were available, providing premium seating closer to the stage. The VIP area offered an excellent view of Barracuda, whose renditions of Heart’s classic hits like “Crazy on You” and “Barracuda” had the crowd singing along and dancing.
Foodies were not disappointed, as several local vendors had set up selling various food, drinks and desserts. From the beer garden provided by Conversion Brewing to sweet treats, there was something to satisfy every palate. The ice cream truck proved very popular with all ages, and the Donut Queen sold out of donuts before the concert was three songs in.
Matt Cowart of Conversion Brewing said they’d been participating as a vendor for the concert fundraiser from the very beginning. When asked why he was so committed to participating in the event, Cowart responded, “Our mantra is passionate people crafting community, and this event builds community for our area.”
Angie Kutsch, the executive director at The Oaks, shared her connection to the event.
“This is year eight, and we started with 100 people in our yard at The Oaks. We have grown it year after year, and it’s such a great time for everybody to not only have a great night of music and food, beer and wine, and all that fun stuff, but to also get some more awareness out there that one in six of us is going to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” she said. “There is no cure and only one outcome.”
Kutsch recalled a 39-year-old resident when she, herself, was 39, saying it crushed her soul to watch the resident decline.
“This event has been my baby. It’s just such an amazing way to get the word out, to raise money and to show our support,” she continued.
Kutsch works tirelessly each year to make the event bigger and better, spreading awareness, raising funds and demonstrating unwavering support.
Throughout the evening, the sense of community was palpable. Friends and neighbors mingled, children played on the grass, dogs romped through the crowd, and laughter echoed across the square. The event was not just a concert but a testament to Lebanon’s community going all out to support each other.
Jenni Grove, marketing director at The Oaks, emphasized the importance of the event.
“We raise money every year for the Alzheimer’s Association through various events, but this is our big one,” she said. “We want families to come out and enjoy themselves while raising awareness about the need for a cure. My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 65 and passed away at 76. That diagnosis is a death sentence and there is no cure. We also aim to support caregivers.”
Representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association were also present, providing information about the causes supported by the fundraiser. They were available to answer questions and distribute literature, ensuring that attendees were informed about where their contributions were going and how they could continue to support the efforts, especially emphasizing the upcoming “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” taking place at Oregon State University on Sept. 15.
The association also handed out “flower” lawn decorations of different colors, with each color symbolizing different groups of people in the fight against Alzheimer’s. A blue flower signifies someone living with the disease. Yellow represents a caregiver supporting someone with Alzheimer’s. Purple is for those who have lost someone to the disease, and orange indicates a supporter of the Alzheimer’s cause and vision of a world without it. The flowers proved popular with the younger set as children ran through the crowd holding them.
The benefit concert at Academy Square was more than just an evening of music; it was a celebration of Lebanon’s dedication to coming together for the good of the community. The Oaks at Lebanon Assisted Living and the Lebanon Strawberry Festival showcased the best of what the town has to offer: a caring, involved community ready to support worthy causes with enthusiasm and heart.