Although inclement weather postponed Flinchypalooza, not even Hurricane Irene kept partygoers away from the sixth annual fundraiser on Aug. 28 at Flinchy's Bar and Grill in Lower Allen Township.
View full sizeMichael Martin of Camp Hill, left, talks with Zachary Schroeder, 8, of Mechanicsburg, while Megan Schroeder, 6, of Mechanicsburg, Sophia Kraynak, 7, of New Cumberland, and Martin's son, Lucas, 7, dance at the sixth annual Flinchypalooza.“There’s no storm coming back,” said Matt Flinchbaugh, owner of Flinchy’s. “We’re pushing Irene out of here.”
Rain and high winds kept Flinchy’s staff from setting up on time, and two local bands scheduled to perform backed out of the lineup, but by the time the clouds began to disperse and food and beer were finally served, nearly 100 people had arrived to kick off the event.
Flinchypalooza originated as a benefit for the Aquatic Club of Harrisburg and continues to be a fundraising effort for the Lower Allen Township Youth Program.
Last year, Flinchbaugh presented a check for nearly $4,500 to the Lower Allen Township K-9 fund.
It expects to double that donation to the youth program this year.
Lower Allen Twp. police visit West Shore School District sites to provide TEAM —Teaching, Educating and Mentoring — programs to instruct children on safety and recognition of crime and substance abuse.
A replacement for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, TEAM provides Lower Allen Township officers with customizable lesson plans and curriculum.
“All of West Shore School District is TEAM,” said Frank Williamson, Lower Allen Twp. police chief.
The township received a $20,000 grant for the implementation of the program in 2010 and enlisted 30 Michigan state troopers to train Lower Allen Twp. police to provide the program.
Flinchypalooza performers and partygoers gladly braved the weather to support the cause.
“It’s a nice family event, a good cause,” said Michael Martin of Camp Hill, lead singer of Harrisburg-based Funktion, which performed at the event.
Chad Kintz attended Flinchypalooza during his 15-day leave from a tour in Afghanistan.
A member of the 443rd Military Police Company, Kintz left for Afghanistan in February and will remain there until December after he returns from leave.
Kenton Shelley, a Harrisburg musician, started the afternoon’s musical lineup.
“We waited a couple hours, but we got here,” Shelley said. “I appreciate what you all are doing today.”
Flinchbaugh did not have an estimated total donation as of Sunday night but, “I can promise you I doubled last year,” he said.
“We turned a hurricane day into a wonderful day,” Flinchbaugh said.