Benefit concert for flood victims aims for $150,000

They’re hoping to raise $150,000 for area flood victims with an all-day benefits concert Thursday.

The Fight the Flood benefit marathon is set to last 12 hours beginning at 11 a.m. at the southside festgrounds (here’s event Facebook page).

Andy Hughes from the band TUGG is credited for much of the planning behind, what started out as just an extra Moon Tunes concert for this season.

“While we wish we didn’t have to have an event like this, it’s pretty amazing to be a part of watching it happen and come together,” Hughes said. “Because that’s what we do in the driftless. We come together, we break bread, we dance, we sing and then we get back to work.”

Several local performers will provide the entertainment. The Rotary Works Foundation will decide how proceeds are to be distributed.

Moon Tunes organizer Terry Bauer said there will be six food trucks, train rides for the kids and more.

Oktoberfest, Irishfest and local Rotary Clubs are helping with the planning and set-up for the benefit. It will feature several singers and groups familiar to Moon Tunes audiences.
The Salvation Army will collect non-perishable food items at the concert. A special telephone line will take pledges on the day of the event at (608) 782-9307.

Checks can be made out now to “RW Foundation-Fight the Flood,” and mailed to RW Foundation, P.O. Box 1571, La Crosse, WI 54602-1571.