The Morehouse Humane Society and Diversified Music group will host an Animal Rock Festival between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Bastrop/Morehouse Fairgrounds.

Three groups and one solo artist will perform. Chancie Neal, Adam Dale, Streamline and Highlines will take the stage to raise money for the Humane Society’s general fund.

“I’m hoping that this replaces the salad luncheon,” Dorothy Ford, secretary of the Morehouse Humane Society, said, noting that this is the first year in more than a decade the organization hasn’t held the luncheon.

“I’ve got big dreams that this is going to grow and grow every year,” Ford said.

Neal, 14, will lead the concert with an acoustic set at 4 p.m. Neal was the 2007 Horizon Talent Show winner, and she recently recorded a demo, produced by Derek DeBlieux of Highlines.
Adam Dale and the Radio Chase will perform next. Dale’s sound has been described as comparable to that of popular artist John Mayer.

Following Dale, one of the 12 most popular bands in the Baton Rouge area will play. Streamline has extensively toured the US college circuit.

Highlines was also named one of Baton Rouge’s top 12 bands. Highlines guitarist Derek DeBlieux is a graduate of Prairie View Academy who studied at the Musician Institute in Hollywood.

According to Ford, Larry DeBlieux, Derek’s father, approached the humane society about a concert.

“It just kind of started growing,” Ford said.

What started with discussions about one band performing has developed into a multiple band concert with  Bastrop Feed & Seed, Bingo Gold, Country Cream, D&H Sporting Goods, Diversified Music Group, Farm Supply Center, Lee’s City Drugs, Melton Veterinary Hospital, Parish Printers and Rock 106 Radio sponsoring the event.

“We are all animal lovers and when this opportunity came to give something back to the community and helping those animals which at times cannot help themselves. It was a no brainer that we would do it. We have played all over the country but haven’t played in our town but once, and we wanted to bring some of our fellow musicians to help out.”

At the concert, the Humane Society will accept donations of canned or dry dog and cat food, litter, beds, blankets, towels, bleach, paper towels or cat toys.

“The cost of dog and cat food has go up for us so much in the last six months, it’s becoming difficult,” Ford said.

Tickets are $12 at the concert and can be prepurchased at the Bastrop/Morehouse Chamber of Commerce. The gate will open at 3:30 p.m., and concert tee shirts in sizes small through 2XL can be purchased at the concert for $10.  Tents will be brought in if it rains, and people are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.

The American Legion will offer parking for $2; all parking proceeds will go toward care packages for the troops.

Food vendors will be at the venue selling turkey legs and funnel cakes. The Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office Reserves will sell hamburgers to raise funds for safety equipment, such as vests, and the Humane Society will sell soft drinks for $2.

The Humane Society is also looking for new members.

The membership dues for the Humane Society are $5 for students,  $15 for individuals, $25 per family, $50 for patrons, $100 for benefactors, $250 for a corporate membership. Morehouse Humane Society is a non-profit 501 (3)C  organization.