The annual fundraiser supporting Brainerd youth hockey and basketball is getting a makeover.
The fundraiser, supporting the Brainerd Basketball Association and Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association programs and which had been known to most over the past four years as the Hairball concert, has a new focus and a new name-Warrior Fest.
Eryk Haapajoki, one of the promoters of the event, said the planning committee changed the name of the event to open up options on entertainment, allowing more musicians/bands to perform for the fundraiser. More importantly, Haapajoki said, organizers wanted a name that would focus on what really matters-the youth.
"We wanted to make it about the event and not about who is performing," Haapajoki said. "The event is all about the Warriors.
"Hairball was a great fundraiser and it worked for us for four years. We want to create a you-can't-miss-this event. Warrior Fest will be similar to the past and have fun things going on."
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Warrior Fest is scheduled May 7 at Essentia Health Sports Center in Brainerd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and Chris Hawkey will take the stage at 7:15 p.m. Gear Daddies will be the headliner and will take the stage at 9 p.m. The event is for those age 21 and older.
There will be a special VIP for sponsors at 5:30 p.m. where Kris Vox will perform as a special thank you for businesses who help organize Warrior Fest.
The event is sponsored by the Brainerd Jaycees, Exit Lakes Realty Premier and First National Bank.
Tickets are on sale in advance for $20 online at Tempotickets.com or at Shep's on Sixth, Hockey House and Cashwise Liquor in Brainerd and Baxter. Tickets are $30 at the door.
Hawkey and the Gear Daddies are both from Minnesota. Hawkey has performed at Lakes Jam for the past few years and has "a great following in the Brainerd lakes area," Haapajoki said. Haapajoki said the Gear Daddies are a hockey attraction and when Warrior Fest announced the bands, "people were excited."
The Gear Daddies is an Americana/rock band originally from Austin. Members include Martin Zellar on electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals; Nick Ciola on bass; Randy Broughten on electric and pedal steel guitar; and James "Billy" Dankert on drums and vocals. The group played their first shows together in 1984, according to the band's website. Between 1986-92, the band released three popular albums and many of the fans' favorite songs include "Stupid Boy," "Color of Her Eyes," "She's Happy" and "Drank So Much."
Hawkey is a country singer, who also works on KFAN, a radio morning show in the Twin Cities area. His songs include "My Kind of Crazy," "Shotgun DJ," "How to Break a Heart," "Little Dance" and "Country Underneath."
Hawkey was a vocalist with Minneapolis country band Rocket Club for six years before going on his own. In a 2014 interview with the Dispatch, Hawkey said his mother forced him to answer an ad in the newspaper at age 15 to be a lead singer in a band because he "wanted to be a rock star." He got the job and has performed ever since.
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Haapajoki said in the past four years, the fundraiser has netted an estimated $70,000 in revenue that goes directly back to benefit BBA and BAHA.
BAHA is an organized hockey program for ages 3 to high school that strives to provide fun for players, improve hockey skills and develop responsibility and self discipline. BAHA's goal is to create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, self confidence and self pride in hopes of preparing the players not only for the game of hockey but also to become well rounded and contributing members of their community.
BBA is a community based volunteer organization for students in grades four through eight that fosters and develop competitive basketball players in Brainerd and Baxter. With direction from the Brainerd boys' and girls' varsity basketball coaches, the program's goal is to develop basketball players who have aspirations of playing competitive basketball in the Minnesota State High School League.
Haapajoki said proceeds from the event have been used to pay for uniforms and scholarships to help youth who can't afford to play. About 30 youths per year have received scholarships to play basketball and hockey. Proceeds also have helped maintain the cost for all players to be a part of the associations.
The general cost for boys and girls to be part of BBA is $275 and around $300-$600 for BAHA, which includes, the cost of the gym, insurance and traveling tournaments.
There is just under 700 boys and girls in both associations.
"Warrior Fest creates an opportunity to have fun for a good cause," Haapajoki said. "These two associations are not competing, they are our future. These kids are committed and everyone who comes will have a great time."
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5851. Follow me at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.
