Camp Casey Adds Music, Arts to Fundraiser

The chili cook-off fundraiser is expanding to include arts and crafts, and live music headlined by country music artist Josh Gracin, the fourth place finalist in the 2003 season of American Idol.

It will be held Oct. 15 in Ferndale.

"We had the chili cook-off and worked with Dino's Lounge [in Ferndale last year] and it was an enormous success but it didn't raise the kind of money we needed," Camp Casey Director Molly Reeser told the Ferndale city council on Monday night.

"We can put the same amount of time and work into it and make it bigger," Reeser said. "We had the idea to have Camp Casey Fest."

The event will held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 15 along East Nine Mile Road between Woodward Avenue and Bermuda and in the western parking lot of the .

"It'll be an all-day music festival with local artists, local restaurants and having the same idea of a chili cook-off," Reeser said.

Other live music acts will include Annabelle Road, John Maison, and , who recently performed at the Ford Arts, Beats & Eats.

The festival is scheduled on the same day as the Michigan State University vs. University of Michigan college football game, so a big screen TV will be in place, tuned to the game.

in Ferndale will host an official after-party starting at 11 p.m.

Advance tickets are $10 online and at the event before 5 p.m. Price increases to $15 after 5 p.m.  Kids 10 and under are free with a ticketed adult.

Camp Casey offers programs to children with cancer and their families, including the popular Horsey House Call which brings a horse to the doorstep of kids too ill to attend events offered by the non-profit. Founded in 2003, its offices are at 333 West 7th Street in Royal Oak.

Reeser says the organization enjoys their downtown location. "We've been embraced by Royal Oak," she said. "Our neighbors here are excited about what we are doing. They are wrapping their arms around us. It feels like the city is filled with our personal friends."

To purchase tickets, visit www.camp-casey.org/fundraising. Call 877-388-8315, Ext. 2 for more information about volunteering or becoming an artist or food vendor.