A woman in Kelowna, B.C., is organizing a benefit concert to raise funds for a memorial honoring the five victims of a crane collapse in the city’s downtown. The mother of one of the victims, Cailen Vilness, Danielle Pritchett, is working towards a goal of $225,000 to contribute towards the memorial at Knowles Heritage Park. Over $200,000 has already been raised through a United Way BC campaign, and the concert is intended to help reach the remaining amount needed for the memorial’s construction and future maintenance. Well-known Canadian country artist Aaron Pritchett, who is a cousin of Danielle, has agreed to perform at the concert to support the cause.
The benefit concert, set to take place on May 19 at Revelry Food and Music Hub in Kelowna, will also feature an opening act by local musician Jason Parkes and his band Proper Man. The event aims to celebrate the lives of the victims and bring positive energy to the community after the tragedy. The owner of the venue has generously offered the space free of charge, as the location holds personal significance to the community and was close to where the crane collapse occurred. The concert is seen as a way to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and provide a space for both reflection and healing for their families.
For Pritchett, the memorial holds special significance as a place where she can grieve and remember her son, Cailen, who passed away in the crane collapse three years ago. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honor the victims through the construction of the memorial, providing a meaningful place for families to come together and find solace. The memorial site is scheduled to begin construction in May and is expected to be completed by July 12, the anniversary of the tragedy, offering a dedicated space for remembrance and healing for the community.
Tickets for the benefit concert are available in various packages, including general admission and VIP options that offer a meet and greet with the artists backstage. A silent auction will also be held during the event, featuring prizes such as a private backyard BBQ with Aaron Pritchett. The fundraising efforts, along with the support from the community and performers, are crucial in making the memorial a reality and ensuring that the victims are properly honored. The concert serves as a way to come together, celebrate the lives of those lost, and provide a lasting tribute to their memory in the heart of Kelowna.
Overall, the benefit concert organized by Danielle Pritchett in honor of the crane collapse victims in Kelowna is a heartfelt and meaningful effort to raise funds for a memorial that will commemorate the lives lost in the tragedy. With the support of the community, local musicians, and a well-known artist like Aaron Pritchett, the event aims to create a space for remembrance, healing, and celebration of the victims’ lives. The concert is set to take place at Revelry Food and Music Hub in May, with proceeds from the event contributing towards the construction and maintenance of the memorial site at Knowles Heritage Park. Through this initiative, Pritchett and the community hope to provide a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives and a place of solace for their families and the wider community to come together in remembrance.
