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New Year’s Eve event will raise money for wounded veterans
Local New Year’s Eve revelers are invited to “Be a hero for America’s heroes” this year at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building.
Billed as “A Little Bit of Country and A Little Bit of Something,” the concert event will take place from 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31 through 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
With rising country star Haley Mae Campbell and Super Bowl champion turned singer-songwriter Hunter Smith on the bill, the event will raise money for wounded, injured and ill veterans through Operation Second Chance.
Hailing from South Carolina, Campbell released her debut album in 2015 and has since opened for artists such as The Avett Brothers, Luke Combs, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, David Nail, Lauren Alaina, Carly Pearce, Thompson Square and Tyler Farr.
More recently, the video for her latest single “Ghost Stories” reached the No. 1 spot on CMT’s 12-Pack Countdown, topping releases by more established acts.
This won’t be Campbell’s first visit to Greencastle, nor the first time she’s worked with concert organizer H&Z Promotions. In August, Campbell played the Labs-A-Palooza event at 3 Fat Labs.
“She’s definitely a rising star,” H&Z owner and CEO Deborah Hibler said. “And, she considers Greencastle a home-away-from-home. It’ll be a fun and fabulous night.”
With Campbell playing from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., the music will open with a solo acoustic show by Smith from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
After 12 years as an NFL punter, most of them with the Indianapolis Colts, Smith turned his attention to music after football and has released a pair of albums with The Hunter Smith Band.
He’ll be solo on Saturday, still playing his blend of country, rock, pop and alternative.
Pre-sale tickets are available at https://hzpromotions.com for individuals, couples and for entry after 8 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will go to Operation Second Chance, which has been serving wounded veterans for 14 years.
Hibler praised various donors to the raffles and silent auction that will be going on during the event, saying the support has been overwhelming.
“We’ve had multiple people donate. People have been so generous,” Hibler said. “I mention our military and veterans and they say, ‘You had me at veterans.’”
A total of 16 items will be sold during the silent auction and another seven raffled off during the evening.
Additionally, Bob Larson, director of retreats for Operation Second Chance and retired USAF colonel, will speak about Operation Second Chance and its mission at 8:30 p.m.
“They’re ranked No. 7 nationally in non-profits because all the money goes to the people,” Hibler said.
Learn more at https://operationsecondchance.org
The evening will also kick off with a buffet dinner by The Putnam Inn from 5:30-7 p.m.
Later in the night, there will be a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and snacks.
There will even be safe rides home via cab or any means necessary at night’s end.
“I want everybody to be safe,” Hibler said.
And while Hibler is using one of the biggest party nights of the year as a chance to give to a cause like Operation Second Chance, it’s far from the only time she hopes to bring a positive event to Putnam County.
“The feedback and reaction I have been receiving has been very positive, energetic, and exciting for something like this to happen here,” Hibler said. “My goal is to have three to five events per year and bring in national acts/stars here, while incorporating our local talent.
“I will always center the events around a charitable cause,” she added, “as I believe it’s important to give back.”