Music fest incorporates charity to aid, support from workers

By: Hector Mojena/Staff Writer
Every summer, voracious music fans converge upon the grounds of music festivals across the country to whet their appetites.
From Bonaroo to Lollapalooza and everything in between, there is always that palpable sense of excitement and the ringing ears that come with days of unchecked music consumption. If you live in Florida, then you’ve come to the conclusion that all the great festivals are more than a few days drive or a plane trip away, and that $10 bottles of water are the best way to put a hole in your wallet.
Well, fret no more: Harvest of Hope exists to bring good music and good charity to Florida.
This year’s festival will take place from March 12-14 on the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in St. Augustine, Fla.
Started in 2009, Harvest of Hope has become one of the most talked about music festivals in the country, with heavyweights like Broken Social Scene and Rogue Wave bringing their own transcendent form of indie rock down south.
The aforementioned charity is what ties everything together: the proceeds from this event go directly to The Harvest of Hope Foundation, whose goal is to raise money for the continued support of migrant farm workers across the U.S.
The plight of these workers, many of whom lack proper health care, housing and educational opportunities, is truly disheartening and has fostered the goodwill of many of the bands that are playing this year. As of this year, the foundation has raised $788,000 for migrant/seasonal farm workers. The organization provides scholarships and grants, financial aid, clothing and more for those workers and has perpetuated its mission in whole-hearted fashion.
This year’s lineup features a varied group of more than 100 bands, with artists still being added. The last two weeks saw arguably the biggest independent rock band in the world right now, Broken Social Scene, get on board to perform.
In addition, Billy Bragg, The Mountain Goats, James Husband (Of Montreal), Matt Pond PA and many others are set to play over the course of this three-day fest.
It doesn’t just end with the music though: this year’s event will also feature carnival rides, a mechanical bull (huh?), and even a kids’ zone just in case the kids aren’t too partial to Man Man.
The festival itself has adjusted to be more eco-friendly as well. A solar powered stage will reside within the Not for Profit World, and free shuttle rides will ensure that gas bills stay relatively manageable.
Ultimately, Harvest of Hope represents the culmination of one not-for-profit’s truly essential work in the assistance of migrant workers.
Last year’s event sent a clear message and managed to raise funds for the fledgling organization’s righteous cause. Coupled with the great selection of bands, one can clearly see a more productive way to spend their festival-going experience.
Their unending fight to better the lives of these individuals has birthed what is arguably one of the best festivals around.

*For more info about the festival and for tickets, check out http://www.harvestofhopefest.com/.*