When a Butler Area High School graduate was inspired to throw a local music festival, he saw it as an opportunity to benefit students of his former district.

Thus the Butler Backpack Fest was born, with proceeds benefiting the Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program in the Butler Area School District.

Chris Zidek, who graduated from Butler in 2019, now studies sound production in Los Angeles. His desire to plan a festival began by watching his favorite videographer’s career take off from planning similar events.

“The idea is that we’re going to have a stage in the middle of (Pullman Park), and the musical acts will perform back to back,” he said. “Concession stands will be open, so people can come and hang out and listen.”

The Butler Backpack Fest begins at 4 p.m. Sunday and will feature seven acts including WaveSpy, Nüghanga and Eldoon from Butler County, as well as bands from the Pittsburgh area.

“I think we have a great lineup,” he said. “I think that by coming you’re supporting the community in a multitude of ways. You’re supporting local talent and the backpack program.”

Zidek added that the festival happens before the start of the school year, which encouraged him to reach out to the Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program.

“I wanted a charity for kids,” he said. “I thought since they’re going back to school soon, it would be fitting.”

According to Audray Muscatello-Yost, who helps with the backpack program, the 2022-23 school year will require a lot more manpower and funds for the organization.

“We’re adding fifth grade to our services, and we’ve moved our programming to the intermediate building. They’re enlarging a room for us,” she said. “All the packing will go on there, and then we’ll have the district distribute the packs to each school.”

The program served more than 300 students last year, she added. With the addition of fifth-grade students, the numbers are expected to reach more than 400.

“I think it’s wonderful (Zidek) wants to do this,” she said. “We’re going to need money and food, and we’re going to need a lot of it.”

The Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program expects to collect monetary donations during the Backpack Fest.

In the days leading up to the event, Zidek said there’s still a lot to prepare, but that folks should come out and support the cause.

“I can’t express to you how excited I am,” he said. “You can do a lot to help the community by just paying $5 and listening to some great music.”