Aurora/East Aurora
East Aurora’s second annual Music Fest finished better than expected last weekend with booming sales, litter-free streets and a fundraising goal nearly met.An estimated 4,000 people came to listen to 33 local rock bands play at 10 venues and 3,100 bought $10 wristbands, said John Venezia, festival founder.
“We hoped for a big turnout and we got one,” he said.
Last year’s attendance was estimated at 2,500 with 1,700 wristbands sold, he said. Proceeds, still being tallied, may reach the $30,000 organizers hoped for. Proceeds will be divided between the Healthy Zone ice rink, now in the midst of a fundraising campaign for a new lodge, and People and Places, a nonprofit that coordinates vacations for people with disabilities.
Band scouting for the next festival, set for June 6, 2015, has already started, said Venezia.
“We want to get a little bit more diverse next year and add some bluegrass and Irish music,” he said.
This week:
• The East Aurora Village Board meets at 7 p.m. Monday at Village Hall, 571 Main Street.
• The Town of Aurora has a work session at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Southside Municipal Center, 300 Gleed Avenue.
• The East Aurora Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at Village Hall.