Several local bands will duke it out Saturday in a Battle of the Bands fundraiser to help victims of the West fertilizer plant explosion.
Fort Hood Harley-Davidson in Harker Heights partnered with H-E-B in Harker Heights, Slovacek’s Smokehouse, Meyers and Coca-Cola to host the event.
Carlie Currer, Harley-Davidson manager, said the fundraiser will include free food.
“Everything is by donation,” she said.
Shotgun Rebels, Jason Custer & the Outsiders and Dennis Hoffman & the MoBluz Band are scheduled to compete.
“In the battle of the bands, people will vote with their money,” Currer said. “The winner will be determined by those who raise the most money during the set. All of it is going to West.”
The Battle of the Bands benefit was the idea of H-E-B produce partner Ronnie Skiids.
“H-E-B has several partners that were affected by the disaster,” said Sarah Carrera, Harker Heights H-E-B administrative specialist. “(Our) human resource team spent time traveling to the area to take care of the community’s needs as well as our partners’ needs.”
The day after the April 17 explosion at West Fertilizer Co., H-E-B deployed mobile kitchens housed in 18-wheeler trucks to the small town off Interstate 35 north of Waco, Carrera said. About 5,000 meals were prepared by each kitchen and served to victims and volunteers.
“(We) also deployed 14 volunteer partners to West to help with relief efforts,” Carrera said.