The Donald Trump Fundraiser Isn't the Only Fundraiser Going on Next Week

The Donald Trump fundraiser isn’t the only fundraiser going on next week in Massachusetts.

Hero Helpers of America and Ernie Boch’s Music Drives Us announced their 2nd annual Boots & Strings Food and Music Festival that will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at Lake Pearl Wrentham.

Boots and Strings Food and Music Festival is the largest, biggest, and by far most patriotic festival in the New England area, according to organizers.

Over 30 restaurants will offer tastes of their signature dishes, bands will take the industrial stage over for the duration of the event, organizations such as the Marines, Coast Guard and The Rev’s will have interactive areas where guests can learn about their teams, organizations, and complete missions or games.

In addition, there will also be blow up kid’s carnival featuring games, slides, obstacle courses, bouncy houses, touch-a-military-truck, crafts, face painting and so much more.

This year the festival will feature a large memorial for those who lost their lives fighting for our country. In addition each area of the festival will be named after a fallen hero. In addition, their will be a presentation including a presentation of the colors, speakers

General Admission tickets are $25/per person VIP tickets are $60/per person that includes a VIP After Party, VIP Swag Bags, 2 Drink Tickets, 2 Raffle Tickets, 2 Game Tickets, and access to a VIP lounge. Children under 12 are free. Gold star families are also welcomed free of charge.

The ticket link is www.musicdrivesus.org

Last year over 1,500 supporters, 24 restaurants, The Marines, and over a dozen groups, including The Rev’s, The VA, The Heartillery Group, The Army, attended the red white and blue festival. Lauren Eliopoulos, Ernie Boch, Jr., and their two organizations raised over $30,000 that directly impacted musical therapy programs for veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). This year the group hopes to raise even more funds.

The concept of Boots and Strings came about when Eliopoulos’ brother, Lcpl George Eliopoulos, 21, was serving in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in 2014 with the 1st Battalion 2nd Marines as an infantryman and his only request was simple, a guitar. LCpl Eliopoulos made it home safely eight weeks after the inaugural event.

Lcpl Eliopoulos will be in attendance this year as his unit granted him special liberty. Lcpl Eliopoulos will be deploying to the outskirts of Iraq early next year.

“Hero Helpers of America is looking forward to making this event memorable for each supporter that attends. Spreading awareness, and ideally making an impact on the community while having a great time, is the best of both worlds. I’m looking forward to another spectacular day!” Lauren Eliopoulos said in a recent interview.

To submit a fallen hero, to apply for free tickets for a Gold Star family, or to learn more about the festival or either organization please email: Lauren@HeroHelpersofAmerica.org. The official hashtag of the festival is #BootsandStrings2015.