Life is good Festival returning to Prowse Farm
By Jay Turner
After last year’s wildly successful debut in Canton, the Life is good Festival, sponsored by Boston-based apparel retailer Life is good in partnership with famed concert promoter Superfly Presents, is returning to Prowse Farm at the foot of the Blue Hills for a two-day, all-ages extravaganza next Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25.
The popular music and fundraising festival, which last year attracted over 25,000 attendees, will feature over 20 live performances from “word-class headliners and nationally known artists” on three stages, including Ray LaMontagne, The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and The Levon Helm Band, as well as “kindie rock superstars” Imagination Movers and The Laurie Berkner Band.
Once again, all proceeds from the festival will go to support the Life is good Playmakers, which provides training and support to child care professionals who are committed to helping children overcome “life-threatening challenges, including violence, illness and extreme poverty.”
Since 2003, Life is good has raised over $6.5 million for its Kids Foundation — including over $724,000 from the 2010 festival alone — and this year the company is hoping to top the $1 million mark. To help achieve this goal, Life is good is enlisting the help of festival goers by offering special “perks and privileges” to anyone who raises $150 or more.
Privileges range from participation in the festival’s backyard challenge — featuring contests such as home run derby, watermelon seed spitting and bean bag toss — to exclusive access to the VGP (Very Good Person) lounge area, artist meet and greets, and more.
Those who raise at least $1,000 will receive the ultimate luxury package, including a gourmet dinner prepared by celebrity chef Michael Schlow, a complimentary bar, private performances, and access to the on-stage concert viewing platform.
Festival organizer James Macdonald said the company is pulling out all the stops this year in an effort to raise as much money as possible for kids in need.
“We really wanted to focus this year’s event specifically on the nonprofit work of the Life is good Kids Foundation,” said Macdonald, adding that festival goers can also make a one-time, $10 donation by texting “LIG” to 20222.
As for the musical lineup, Macdonald said the performers, which represent a diversity of styles and genres, all have one important thing in common with the festival’s hosts.
“We like to find artists that really try to spread optimism and have an optimistic message,” he said. “Every artist on the bill, in their own way, is trying to find that silver lining.”
In addition to the headliners, other notable performers will include Brandi Carlile, Martin Sexton, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Raphael Saadiq, Ingrid Michaelson, and The Hold Steady. There will also be special performances on the “Good Kids Stage” by multi-instrumentalist Keller Williams and local favorite Ben Rudnick and Friends.
Besides the musical performances, the festival will feature a wide array of games and activities as well as diverse local food, hands-on art projects, and the return of the popular dog agility show and BMX stunt show. There will also be a special “Chillville” area set aside for families, complete with “comfy seating, blankets for relaxation, a mellow vibe, and easy-going activities” such as kids’ yoga, storytelling and a nature show presented by the Trailside Museum.
Other local participants will include the Friends of Prowse Farm, who will provide information on their efforts to preserve and protect the area, and representatives from Millenium Running, who will have a table set up to promote the upcoming Reebok Canton Road Race, scheduled for October 1 at Reebok World Headquarters.
Macdonald said attendance at the 2011 festival is expected to be about the same as last year, and festival organizers expect to manage the event “as smoothly as [they] did a year ago.”
He also could not say enough about the town of Canton and how “thrilled” they were with the location and the cooperation from local officials, suggesting that the Life is good Festival at Prowse Farm could potentially become an annual fall tradition.
Tickets to this year’s festival are still available and can be purchased online or at the box office on the day of the event. Adult single-day tickets are $65, and $120 two-day tickets are also available. Tickets for children ages 2-12 are $20 for a single day and $35 for both days. Children under 2 are free.
The festival will open each day at 11 a.m. with performances beginning at 11:45. The festival grounds will close at 9:30 p.m. on both days.
Free parking will be available at various businesses on Royall Street, and additional parking will be available at the Route 128 MBTA station in Westwood. Life is good will also provide free shuttle service throughout the day at both locations.
For more information on the festival, the Life is good Playmakers, or to purchase tickets and sign up to become a fundraiser, visit www.lifeisgood.com/festivals.
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Posted by Jay Turner
on Sep 14 2011. Filed under News.
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