Second annual AvieFest is Oct. 25 at LDs BBQ
By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
LDs BBQ, at the East Troy BP gas station on the corner of highway ES and 20, will hold the second annual AvieFest starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, to raise money for the Avielle Foundation.
The Avielle Foundation was created by the parents of Avielle Rose Richman, one of the 20 school children who were killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting on Dec. 14, 2012.
The foundation’s goal is to bring awareness to mental illness and foster brain health research.
“The Avielle Foundation has been created to honor their loving daughter – along with all the others who have fallen victim to senseless violence – by truly understanding what leads someone to engage in such harmful behavior. We’re working closely with world leaders in two vital areas: brain health research and community building,” the foundation’s website states.
LDs BBQ owner Leon Davis, 49, of South Beloit, met Avielle’s parents, Jennifer Hensel and Jeremy Richman, through his wife Liz and said his life was changed after the shooting.
Last year, in an effort to bring awareness to mental illness and do something in Avielle’s memory, Davis held AvieFest at his restaurant.
Davis and his wife traveled to Connecticut after the shooting to spend time with Avielle’s family and saw first hand the devastation wrought by the senseless killing.
After helping Avielle’s family go through the mail that came from all corners to the globe and being a part of the grieving process, Davis said his desire to make a difference was heightened. He said he wanted to do something for the family and for the community to let them be a part of the rebuilding.
Last year’s AvieFest raised $14,000 and Davis is hoping to bring in even more this time around.
The event has also grown for its sophomore outing, with a live auction from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Musical acts HardWater Blues and Barefoot ‘n’ Blue Jeans will perform from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. And Jeremy Richman, Avielle’s father, will address the crowd.
“He’s going to be there to speak about the foundation and what they’ve accomplished so far and where they’re going,” Davis said.
The rib-eating contest, which starts at 2 p.m., has also grown into a head-to-head contest with firefighters from LaGrange, Waukesha and East Troy trying to out do each other.
In honor of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook shooting, the rib-eating contest entry fee is $26 for all the ribs you can eat in 26 minutes. The winner will be determined by the amount of bones on left on the plate. LD’s will have Miss Wisconsin handing out the prizes and Davis is working on having cheerleaders too. Sign up for the contest at LD’s.
The live auction was a big draw last year and Davis said there are even more great items to bid on this year.
“Lee Wegner, of Younger’s Woodery in Eagle, carved another eagle for us,” Davis said. “It’s the second year he’s carved something for me to auction at AvieFest.”
The silent and live auctions will also include sports tickets, box seats, golf outings, massages, palm reading/psychic reading (there might be options for phone reading as well), gift baskets, wine baskets and more.
“And I’ll have an LD’s basket that will have a holiday turkey and holiday ham,” Davis said.
Davis also had a special request to for anyone wanting to help out. He’s looking to borrow patio heaters to have on hand during the event in case of colder weather. He’s willing to supply the propane himself, but is in need of the machines to keep people warm for the day.
For more information about AvieFest or to donate the use of a patio heater, call Davis at (414) 610-7675 or visit www.ldsbbq.com.
About the Avielle Foundation
According to the website, the mission of The Avielle Foundation is to prevent violence by fostering brain health research, education, and policy; and community development, engagement, and responsibility. The foundation will do so by directing resources to support.
For more information, visit aviellefoundation.org.
