By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
May 9, 2012

Twenty local bands have joined forces for the three-day VFW Hero Fest and it all begins right here in Northeast.

Les Phillips, VFW Post 9997 member and co-owner of Blackhorse Revival Association Group LLC, planned to feature only three local bands. But, when Phillips contacted Paul Chandler of KC-radio.com to help contact bands, word spread quickly.

“Before we knew it, we had 20 bands that wanted in,” Phillips said.

The three-day event will be held May 11-13 behind the VFW Post 9997, 6801 Wilson Rd., Kansas City, Mo. All ages are welcome and the event is free of charge. A wide variety of music genres will be featured and includes country, southern rock, folk, blues, heavy metal, alternative rock and more.

“It’s going to be a blast. It’s going to be something else,” Phillips said.

In addition to live music, a slew of other activities will be available. Recruiter booths will be on-site and Alex Bloomquist, who races at the Grain Valley Speedway, will be available all three days to sign autographs and visit with attendees. Bloomquist will also bring his B mod race car for people to sit in and get their picture taken. Beverages, a full bar and food will also be available.

To kick off each day, representatives from the Wounded Warrior Project and Tempered Steel, Inc., will share their stories and honor guards from local high schools will perform. The national anthem will also be sung.

Each band will play for approximately 45 minutes and in between set-up, comedians Anthony Tortindo and Robert “Bobby” Henline will take the stage for comedic relief.

Mark Griswold, member of the VFW Post 9997 Men’s Auxilliary, said he hopes the event will create an added respect for military veterans and possibly plant a seed for those who want to serve.

“It’s just an honor to be able to do this for our veterans and show how much we care about them,” Phillips said.