Equine nonprofit hosting first music fest fundraiser

The Northwest Equine Stewardship Center (NWESC) will celebrate the arrival of summer with its first NWESC Summer Solstice Music Fest fundraising event, and all are welcome to attend.

The family-friendly outdoor concert takes place noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Cedarbrook Farms near Monroe. The festival will include local and regional musical performers showcasing a variety of genres, including Index performer Sean "Spare RibGÇ¥ Horst, Black Dog, Natalie Wouldn't, Hannah Duffy and Eric Mueller. The day will be filled with music, food and beverages; all set against the backdrop of Cedarbrook's lush 60 acres of pastures and wooded riding trails.

Admission is $25 per person and $50 for families. All proceeds from the event will support NWESC program development and expansion, as well as ongoing care needs of its equines.

The NWESC is a 501(C)3 nonprofit dedicated to equine education and outreach, along with the rehabilitative care of horses that have been neglected and abused. Once an equine has been rescued, its health is often too fragile to accommodate immediate adoption. NWESC founder Dr. Hannah Mueller partners with local rescue organizations to address acute medical needs, working with the animals until they are healthy enough to either return to the rescue or be adopted.

The educational branch of NWESC offers classes in horse husbandry, including first-time horse ownership, nutrition, hoof health and first aid. Additionally, the organization has a program providing internship opportunities to veterinary students, who receive firsthand experience performing medical procedures on equines in need.

The students are guided by licensed veterinarians throughout the process. Through the veterinary student program, the NWESC is able to provide low-cost gelding services, which are available based on a horse owner's need.-á -á

The goal of NWESC is to provide holistic care throughout the equine community.

"Our mission is to foster compassionate stewardship in the equine world by providing resources to fiscally challenged communities, education, outreach, professional level rehabilitation and advocacy,GÇ¥ said the NWESC in a news release.-á

The NWESC is one of only two nonprofits in Washington state to earn a spot on the GreatNonProfits.org 2016 top-rated nonprofits list.

"This is going to be an amazing, not-to-be-missed summer celebration,GÇ¥ said the NWESC. "Come join NWESC for fun, sun, laughter and wonderful music!GÇ¥

Sean "Spare RibGÇ¥ Horst is a well-known bluegrass musician from Index who performs regularly throughout Sky Valley region and beyond. Natalie Wouldn't is a Ska band that has performed at numerous local festivals, including the Seattle Folklife Festival, the Victoria Ska Festival and Seattle Ska Fest. Black Dog, an acoustic rock trio, blends folk, pop and classic rock, Hannah Duffy is a classic country singer and Eric Mueller performs covers from the 1960s, including John Prine and Neil Young.

Cedarbrook Farms is located north of Monroe at 9812 215th Ave. S.E. in Snohomish. To purchase tickets for the event, visit nwesc.brownpapertickets.com. For more information about the NWESC, visit www.nwesc.org or email info@nwesc.org.-á

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