“It was just gorgeous,” Bill Skvarla, event organizer and founder of the cooperative, said. “We were very pleased with the results.”
Skvarla said the concert, called Tree Aid, was created as an opportunity for residents to come out to Burke Park, enjoy live music, relax and learn more about the Asian longhorned beetle infestation in the area and the Asian Longhorned Beetle Citizens’ Cooperative.
Several bands played throughout the day including Acoustic Edge, Tracy Walker, Acoustic Heroes, Bryon Cox and Hearsay.
“The music was absolutely phenomenal,” Skvarla said. “The musicians were just phenomenal. All of those guys donated their time and their talents.”
Residents brought chairs or found a nice place to sit in Burke Park to enjoy the music during the event.
Debi Carrington, of Mt. Orab, said came out to hear Acoustic Edge play and said she felt the event was held for an good cause.
“We need a lot more people to get involved in what goes on in the community,” Carrington said.
Fred Day, of the Eastgate area who has a business in Amelia, said his wife, Sue, participates in the cooperative. He said he also wanted to be involved in the community and support the cooperative at the concert.
“Everyone is concerned about saving the trees,” he said.
In addition to music, the event featured food vendors, a live auction, a raffle, split the pot contest and more.
A White Oak tree and a pear tree, which were donated by Bard Nursery and Jarmans Greenhouse were the raffle items.
“Those were beautiful trees,” Skvarla said.
Other live auction items included arts, crafts and more.
Members of the Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative were on hand during the event to pass out information and answer questions about the Asian longhorned beetle.
“We are trying to get people aware of what’s going on,” Nancy McCarthy, a member of the cooperative said.
McCarthy said they brought a variety of information from the United States Department of Agriculture as well as maps of the quarantine areas and infested wood samples so people can see the signs of an Asian longhorned beetle infestation.
There was no admission fee for the concert, however Skvarla said money raised through vendors, the silent auction and donations benefited the Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative.
“We were very pleased with the outcome and financially, we came very close to meeting our goal,” Skvarla said.
Skvarla said they are hoping to have the event next year, and would like to have more participation.
For more information about the Asian Longhorned Beetle Cooperative visit www.bethelalb.com.