https://www.thecasaproject.org/A family-friendly music festival supporting children in foster care pulled in some large crowds to Lilac Hedge Farm earlier this month, raising a record amount for CASA Project Worcester County while turning a rural Rutland venue into a daylong community gathering centered on music, food and advocacy.
Organizers of the third annual CASA Palooza said the May 17 event raised more than $9,000 for CASA Project Worcester County, a nonprofit that advocates for abused, neglected and vulnerable children involved in the juvenile court system.
Hosted by CASA and Worcester-based technology company Cinch I.T., the festival featured live music, local vendors, food trucks, raffles and activities for families and children.
According to the announcement, this year marked the event’s most successful fundraiser to date.
The proceeds support CASA’s court-appointed advocacy work for children navigating the child welfare system, including efforts to amplify children’s voices in court proceedings and help connect them with stable, permanent homes.
“CASA Palooza is all about bringing the community together, and I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we have received,” Keith Pettit, event founder and regional account manager at Cinch I.T., said in the release. “It is exciting to see the event continue to grow year after year, helping CASA expand its impact and further its mission.”
The festival brought together local musicians, businesses and families from across Worcester County for performances throughout the day at the Rutland farm venue. Organizers said the lineup included FM Radio, The Earthmen, Futon Lasagna and Brevity, along with what was billed as the final performance by local band Between the Waves.
The event also featured food vendors, craft activities, face painting, raffles, animal encounters and small business booths aimed at creating an all-ages atmosphere.
Julie Bowditch, executive director of CASA Project Worcester County, said the event has continued to evolve into a larger community gathering with each passing year.
“I am proud of the collaborative effort that made this event such a success,” Bowditch said in the release. “CASA Palooza is intended to feel joyful, inclusive, and community-centered, and each year it continues to grow into something even more meaningful.”
CASA Project Worcester County is the oldest and largest CASA program in Massachusetts and works with trained volunteer advocates appointed by Juvenile Court judges to assist children involved in complex abuse and neglect cases.
