Sarah Williams
Beaver Staff
Oct. 25 will mark the third and final GarrettFest. The event, which has been running since 2017, began as a way to honour the life Garrett Mills while raising money for a scholarship at the local high school.
Mills died tragically, when an unsecured goal-post at a Napanee soccer field fell on top of him.
Subsequently, Garrett’s father, the infamous broadcaster, David Mills a.k.a Buzz Collins, and mother have helped to create GarrettFest, which will once again take place at the Strathcona Paper Centre.
The event will feature live music, an open bar and an online auction. The auction will be be up and running the week prior to the event so that a tally of the amount fundraised can be announced during the music festival.
“We’re trying to make it as affordable as possible and it’s open to all ages,” said Dave Mills.
The scholarship is awarded to a student who isn’t necessarily academically astounding, but who displays a helpful caring nature and endeavours to be a good samaritan, much like Garrett himself.
“Last year, about 200 attended. We’d love every year to have more people but I don’t want to get to that position where we really have to flog the event to get people to come out,” stated Mills. “I want people to come because they want to be there, celebrate Garrett and help out a great cause. I don’t want to get to the point where this event, which is built on our son’s name, becomes something that is a challenge to get people to attend.”
Given that this year Garrett Fest is occurring late in October, it will be Halloween-themed, with a costume contest at 10:30 p.m.
Doors open at 8 p.m. The show will feature a performance by “Buzz Collins the Master of Delusion” along with music by The Trevor Walsh Group.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. The event will feature a cash bar, snack and door prizes.