While music festivals happen all over the country, one local festival will be held this weekend to benefit mental health charities and will be headlined by one of America's biggest country acts.
The fourth annual LIVIN Music Festival starring Lonestar is happening this weekend at ERX Motor Park in Elk River. The event, which happens two weekends after Labor Day each year, is headed up by 102.9 The Wolf morning show host PT. He says the festival this weekend will feature more than just music and fundraising.
"A thousand people coming together to experience LIVIN! 10 bands with headliner LONESTAR, BBQ Ribs, Cornhole Tourney, Camping, Kids activities, as well as a powerful keynote and memorial presentation to remember loved ones."
The LIVIN Foundation, which was started by PT in 2015, has raised more than $25,000 for family grants within the community. PT says the foundation is an important part in the conversation about mental health and suicide prevention.
"A 100% volunteer run 501c3 non-profit organization with a vision to make a conversation about mental health as easy and normal as a conversation about the weather, we do this in the name of suicide prevention. It is an advocacy and outreach org that promotes the #LIVIN movement through various events and partnerships. Some of our programs include Camp LIVIN--family retreat weekend for families who have suffered a loss by suicide; Financial Grants for individuals and families struggling with a tough situation brought on by mental illness or suicide; Speaking engagements to schools or communities sharing stories and encouraging others to do the same; LIVIN Music Festival, 2 day camping/music event to bring awareness and donations to our cause."
The LIVIN Foundation is not only important for PT to talk about mental health and suicide prevention, but was started because of a personal experience.
"I lost my father to suicide in 2013 and when that happened it turned my life upside down. So much sadness, guilt, anger, and shame but after being open and honest about my situation I found that I was not alone in my loss or my struggles. The #LIVIN Movement and subsequently the people associated with the cause became a separate "LIVIN Family" that I could bond with and rely upon and organically this movement has grown bigger than I could have ever imagined. It is our hope that the work we're doing each day will prevent just ONE family from having to go through what many of us have unfortunately had to deal with."
To learn more about the LIVIN Foundation and how can you help or to get tickets for this weekend's festival, click here.