This year marked the third annual Heaps of Dreeps fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The fundraiser, which took place on September 10, is held in remembrance of Drew Cook, who passed away suddenly in 2013 from a heart condition he didn’t know he had.

Ashley Humphrey, Cook’s widow, started and has run the event all three years, but she didn’t initially know if it would still happen in 2016. However, thanks to many local business donations a few weeks before the event, the event came together. 

“The setup was better this year than last,” says Humphrey, “and even though there were a lot more people attending last year, we raised the same amount of money. So that was awesome to see! The fireworks this year were the best by far!”

As with previous events, music is the glue that binds the event together. 

“The Heaps of Dreeps stage has been a highlight every year,” says Evan St. Cyr, the event’s music coordinator, “where a large group of friends in the music scene collaborate to perform in a variety of genres to put on over a 12-hour show. From indy to sultry, country to hip hop, rock to folk to EDM [electronic dance music], and everything in between. All the musicians generously donate their time and performance, which helps this fundraiser party to continue. An amazing day and night of musical entertainment is put on all for a great cause.”

One week after the event, Humphrey dropped off a cheque totaling $12,355 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. If all goes well, there will be a fourth fundraiser next year.