NORMAL — It won’t be as large, but organizers hope it will be as much fun.
Furchella – an animal adoption event named after California’s Coachella arts and music festival – takes place Saturday, combining adoptable animals, live music and vendors.
“We thought having live music from local bands early in the summer before all the big festivals would bring the community together to meet the dogs, cats and small animals we have here,” said Nicole Monson, head of community engagement for the Humane Society of Central Illinois (HSCI).
That’s who’s organizing Furchella, an event Monson says is filled with “community-ness.” Not only are the bands local; more than 30 local organizations and businesses will showcase wares and resources, and many are donating back to the HSCI.
Food trucks, crafts and activities for kids, and a live painting of one of the adoptable animals will also be at Furchella, in its second year. Volunteers will be walking dogs, and cat rooms will also be open for contained feline visits throughout the event from noon to 3 p.m.
Here’s a look at the bands to be featured:
• The Rusty Pickups: Kicking things off at noon, The Rusty Pickups are a classic rock band that also dips into country and Americana music.
• Star Lizard: Performing at 1 p.m., Star Lizard is a progressive rock band based in Normal that covers ’60s and 70s rock music from bands like Rush, Police, Oingo Boingo and Jethro Tull.
• Front Street Collective: The final band of the day, The Front Street Collective is a nine-member hip hop and rock fusion band based in Bloomington.
BloNo’s classic rock radio station Bob FM will also broadcast live from Furchella, which takes place in the parking lot of the Humane Society, 423 N. Kays Dr., Normal. For more information, head to the event page.
(Cover photo shows the Front Street Collective, top; Star Lizard, lower right; and The:Rusty Pickups, lower left)
