Rock bands from around the region will perform July 24 at a Battle of Bands event at the Union Mills Homestead north of Westminster.

As fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, Tanner's Touch, the show will raise money to help families of children with cancer.

But for Tanner Yingling, a 4-year-old cancer survivor for whom the organization is named, the battle of the bands won't be the main event of the day-long festival -- a Kids Zone with inflatable fire trucks and other features will be.

"He's way more excited about the inflatables," said Stephanie Moore, Tanner's mom and organizer of the event. "He's just excited to run around the fire trucks."

At age 3, Tanner was diagnosed with cancer in the form of a lump that appeared on his back. He underwent a year of chemotherapy, 25 radiation treatments and back surgery. While he has been cancer free for the past five months, Moore is still touched by the support the family received.

"As people found out about Tanner, (the family received) love and support ... and help with medical bills," Moore said.

Since going through their experience, Tanner's family decided to form the 501(c)3 nonprofit to help raise money for other families in similar situations. Tanner's Touch has a website, www.tannerstouch.com, and states that it is a component fun of the Community Foundation of Carroll County.

"People don't think that a child is going to have cancer. The funding is not there like it is for adults," she said. "We started a group for those that don't have that support."

The organization hosted a successful Valentine's Day dance, and through the proceeds, Tanner's Touch was able to purchase a grave marker for a 9-year-old cancer victim who passed away.

Being able to help that family, even in a small way, was "very, very wonderful," Moore said.

Tanner's Touch decided its next fundraiser would be an outdoor event for "something fun in the summer," she said.

The various bands participating will play classic rock 'n roll mixed along with a little bit of country.

"It should be a good mixture," Moore said.

"I would love to have 1,000 people if not more. Hopefully, we can get the word out and get that many people."

Bands scheduled to perform are Half Serious, Arden, Crossfire, Seed of Eden, AutoPilot and Kevin Thomas featuring Pete Hall.

While music is the main event, the Battle of the Bands will also feature beer, crafts and food vendors.

And for children such as Tanner, the event will also have a Kid Zone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring face painting, inflatable apparatus, a water slide and more.

"All is included in admission," Moore said. "The bands are all performing for free out of the goodness of their hearts. They're wonderful."

Banding together

The Battle of the Bands fundraiser for Tanner's Touch will take place Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster. Admission is $20 for adults; $10 for children ages 3-10. Those 2 and younger are free. The event will include music, food, craft and home vendors and attractions for children including face painting and an inflatable Kids Zone. For more details on the event and about Tanner's Touch, go to www.tannerstouch.com.

---

user comments (0)