Brentapalooza Kicks It Up for a Good Cause

"Every cloud has a silver lining."  That is certainly true of the McCreesh family, whose son, Brent, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma more than five years ago.

After receiving the heart-dropping news and enduring months of treatment, this exceptionally brave family turned their experience from bad to good by harnessing their energy to raise money to find a cure. Their hope is that no family ever has to hear that their child has cancer.

Brent was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma out of the blue and the family went from preschool to the pediatric oncology unit. It was a world of late nights spent in waiting rooms, numerous blood transfusions, and doling out medicine instead of candy to their child. It is a world that no parent hopes to inhabit.

The McCreesh family sprang into action, rounding up all of the friends and donations they could and began putting their energy behind raising money through a bike race (the Pan-Mass Challenge that remains a part of the fundraising commitment.)

The McCreeshs are lucky - Brent is cancer-free and lives a happy and normal life today.  They count every day as a blessing but know that other families haven't been as lucky, and that's why they continue to serve as the inspiration behind fundraising efforts. The Pan-Mass Challenge is one part - and today's Brentapalooza is another.

This all-day music festival grows each year with help from sponsors, the local bands and other supporters.  Proof of its growth? Last year's event was held at a private residence and was attended by 600 people.  This year's event, expected to outdo last year's attendance, was held at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.

Supporters, sponsors, and a host of local bands took to the outfield at the Brideport Bluefish minor league baseball stadium.  The event ran from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and guests came and went throughout the day, despite the looming threat of severe thunderstorms.

Bands took to the stage at 1 p.m., with each band playing a 45-minute set.  The festival even allowed fans to vote for their favorite band.  Results had not been announced at press time.  Fairfield's School of Rock, an upbeat kids' music school, kicked off the program, which also included performances by Mike Falzone & The Peppermint Trick, MarySue Proveaux, Christopher Robin Band, Gabriel the Marine, Kicking Daisies, XYLOS, Cosmic Jibaros, Pimpinella, and Band Together, which was scheduled to end the concerts at 11 p.m.

Spirits were high at Harbor Yard, where kids ran around chasing wiffle balls and others danced to the beats.  The crowd represented a mix of young and old, but there were plenty of smiling families with all of the fun activities targeted especially for kids. Harbor Yard's Kids Cove, with a bounce house, a pirate ship playset, Wii Rock Band, and hockey and baseball games, was open to the public.

Having missed last year's event, attendee John Harrington was sure to bring his kids this year. "I bought my tickets in advance because I knew I wanted to attend this year. It's great for the kids," he said.  His children had been bouncing and running for three hours strong. Harrington even won tickets for the upcoming hockey season in one of the many raffles that took place during the day.

Tents surrounding the field included everything from body jewelry painting and 1.00 chair massages to informaton on event sponsors like Trek Bicycle, which also supported the BMX Bike Tricks show held in front of the stadium during one of the band breaks.  Three guys jumping, flipping and spinning bikes were enough to make a mother shriek, but the teens certainly enjoyed it.

Brentapalooza raises money through various ways, including a silent auction with gift baskets ranging from camps and classes at School of Rock to jewelry to massage and private yoga sessions at Sabita Holistic.  Most of the money raised comes from the ticket prices, which were $40 per adult and $25 per child (ages 6-12.) The ticket price included complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and food.

While the festival was scheduled to end at 11 p.m., the fundraising efforts continue through August, when the Pan-Mass challenge is held. This bike race, which runs from Stockbridge to the Cape, has a team of 50 locals racing for a cure for childhood cancer.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is the single largest source of funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year, $30 million was raised.  Erica Miller attended Brentapalooza today as a mom showing her kids a good time, but come August, she'll be on a bike racing with the team. "Dana McCreesh is a good friend and she inspired me to join the race," she said.

Even if you missed the fun, you can still make a difference by donating directly to the cause.  Send a check to Playing It Forward, the organization behind Brentapalooza, to the following address:

Playing It Forward
c/o Stephen Siegel, MD
693 Fairfield Beach Road
Fairfield, CT 06824