Chuckfest Lupepalooza music festival in Calexico raises money for needy families

The non-profit organization Friends of Kegger held their annual two-day music festival LupePalooza ChuckFest 2017 in Calexico featuring 12 local music groups on Friday and Saturday.

The event helped families with an unexpected death of a child. It also raised scholarship money for Imperial Valley College music students.

Friends of Kegger was formed three years ago, and was named after a local musician who died of an illness.

Event organizers said their festival was a mixture of art and compassion.

Organizer Mariela Moreno said, “It’s art with passion because they’re doing this with passion. They’re giving their all for us. They support our cause.”

Organizer Paul Zamarripa added, “Being from the Imperial Valley, we are unique to the corner of the world that unemployment rate is very high. We have a lot of families that are financially challenged.”

The Friends of Kegger non-profit organization has helped four Imperial Valley families and given two music scholarships to Imperial Valley music students since they were formed in 2014.