Kammy’s Kause will have 12 musical acts perform throught the day this year, with the first show starting at noon.
Photo provided by Kammy’s Kause
FORTVILLE — What once started out as a five-musician show and soda cans and candy sold off a picnic table now consists of 12 musical acts with multiple vendors and fun things to do.
Kammy’s Kause, a fundraising idea that started 19 years ago, will be held next Saturday, Aug. 26 from noon to 10 p.m. at Landmark Park in Fortville and is free to the public.
Jared Hiner, father of Kamdyn and founder of Kammy’s Kause, came up with the idea after his daughter had received the diagnosis of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, also known as 4p-.
He recalled at that time there was only one single page of information the doctor had on the diagnosis. From that moment, Hiner decided to put forth his best efforts to make sure no parent would have to go through what his family did.
“On that first year of Kammy’s Kause, in my heart and in my head, I never want another parent to get that same page that I got,” Hiner said. “There’s so much more that can be shared than those three paragraphs.”
Kammy’s Kause page on Facebook shares that “4p- is an extremely rare chromosome disorder which causes mild to severe mental and physical handicaps, organ failure, oral defensiveness, and developmental delays. Early intervention such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy have proven to be vital in the development of children with 4p-.”
Their page also shares that since the discovery of 4p- in the 1960s, more than 600 cases have been reported — 13 of those being in Indiana.
With the help and fundraising from Kammy’s Kause, proceeds go towards the 4p- Support Group, a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization to raise awareness and provide funds for future research about 4p-.
Since 2004, the event has raised funds every year, and so far has raised a total of more than $600,000 for the cause.
Hiner shared that by hosting this fundraiser, he has seen the awareness spread to all kinds of people.
“It just shows me year after year it is possible,” Hiner said. “Once we get through all that other stuff that divides us, you know at the end of the day we all have big hearts and we all want to help and do what’s right and this is just an opportunity for people to kind of let all that out and flood Fortville with good.”
Entertainment for the day includes Kara Cole, Booze Hounds Bluegrass, Zack Schuyler, Cory Cox, Keller & Cole, CORKEN, Two Jasons, J. Elliot, Mank & Sass, DJ Maxx, Audiodacity, and INDYCA.
Moon Drops Distillery will be presenting a “Kosmic VIP Experience,” partnered and catered by FoxGardin Kitchen & Ale, offering dinner items and a signature “Kausetail” for the night.
Silent auctions items will also be available for bidding, including 20 baskets with kid items.
The kid zone will consist of five bounce houses, a Guinness World Record balloon artist, a magician, face painting, music tent, yard games and more. This year, there will be four separate food vendors with items for kids and a teen tent that will have charging stations for phones.
A tradition that started 14 years ago to help with the fundraising was Kammy’s Ride. With kickstand up and ready to go at 10 a.m., the 125 mile ride takes off from VFW Post 6904 and will have a stop for lunch and ice cream before heading back to Landmark Park. This ride will be escorted by the Fortville Police Department.
VFW Post 6904 is also holding a raffle for a one-in-100 chance to win a 2001 Sportster 883.
Hiner shared that he wanted to thank everyone for their support through the years and the continuation of support. Hiner also mentioned that if someone hasn’t spent the day at Kammy’s Kause, he strongly encourages them to.
“You’ll leave feeling better… You help make a little bit of change in the world,” Hiner said.
For more information on Kammy’s Kause, visit https://kammyskause.org/.
