Post 133's Freedom Fest 2014 will raise funds for the Northern Maine Veterans Museum & Community Center.
The Martin-Klein American Legion Post 133 in Fort Kent, Maine, is organizing Freedom Fest 2014, an outdoor concert on Aug. 9 in Fort Kent to raise funds for the Northern Maine Veterans Museum & Community Center.
The post is working with the Fort Kent Historical Society and retired Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, one of five living quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After his injuries, Mills became an advocate for veterans and amputees. In September 2013, he founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization that benefits and assists wounded veterans. Mills and his foundation are actively involved with the Legion on the museum and community center project in Belgrade, Maine.
The goal of the museum and community center is to showcase an area where veterans and civilians can appreciate the sacrifices made by those who served in the military.
Activities during the day-long Freedom Fest include:
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Performances by Madison Rising, Spirit of Cash (a Johnny Cash tribute band) and the Thomas Nicholas Band, headlined by one of the stars from the “American Pie” movies.
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A motorcycle ride to the festival area. Motorcyclists will be greeted by the Saluting Marine, Tim Chambers.
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Parachute jump into the festival area by Mills and first lady of Maine Ann LePage.
“That the first lady will do this means a lot,” Post 133 commander and event coordinator Duane Belanger told the Bangor Daily News. “She told me she is scared of heights, and I really have a lot of respect for her.”
Tickets for the event, which runs from 9 a.m to midnight, are $35 in advance or $40 at the gate for adults; $25 for 12- to 16-year-olds; and free for children under 12.
Coolers and backpacks will not be allowed inside the venue. However, vendors will be selling different types of food and drink and Post 133 will run a beer garden.
- Troops