RAPID CITY, SD — A growing grassroots music festival in the Black Hills is aiming to do more than entertain. Black Hills Hunger Fest is bringing together artists from across the country while encouraging the community to give back through a large-scale food drive benefiting those in need.  The event will be held at Aby’s in downtown Rapid City on July 25th.

 Organizer C-Critt Veda said the inspiration for the event comes from a past local festival, Hard Core For Hunger, with a renewed focus on using music as a tool for community impact.

 “The inspiration is actually from an old metal festival in Rapid City called Hard Core For Hunger. I wanted to bring that idea back to life,” Veda said. “For me, finding ways to heal the community through live music events has become a passion.”

 That passion has expanded beyond music, with Veda noting involvement in efforts such as food drives, community cleanups and fentanyl awareness events. Hunger Fest reflects a broader goal of connecting entertainment with meaningful causes.

 While the Black Hills has a busy and growing entertainment scene, Veda said one area still seeing room for expansion is hip-hop.

 “There’s a lot happening here in the Black Hills,” Veda said. “However, the hip hop scene has been very limited for years, so there’s a lot of room for growth.”

 At its core, Black Hills Hunger Fest is focused on addressing food insecurity. This year’s event will collect canned food donations, with plans to deliver those items directly to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

 “Our goal is to bring as much food donation as possible directly to the Pine Ridge Reservation,” Veda said. “We want to make sure that the food is finding the easiest route back into the community.”

 Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring canned goods in exchange for raffle entries, creating an added layer of excitement throughout the event. Hourly drawings will offer prizes ranging from televisions to gift cards and merchandise packages.

 “Nothing says entertainment like seeing an amazing show and winning an awesome prize,” Veda said. “People laughing, people winning and enjoying the moment — that’s what brings the vibes up for the festival.”

 The music lineup reflects a mix of national and regional talent, with artists selected from across the country. Headliners include Whitney Peyton and Kung Fu Vampire, both known for high-energy performances.

 “Whitney Peyton is a powerhouse in multiple genres,” Veda said. “With her on the stage, expect mosh pits, crowd surfing and dance circles.”

 He added that Kung Fu Vampire brings “the full juggalo experience” through his signature horrorcore style.

 Supporting acts include a mix of regional headliners and local performers, many of whom have built strong connections within the underground music scene.

 “These artists have been devoted to their craft, and the crowd will see that,” Veda said. “It’s a community of artists that have been working together for years, pushing each other and helping each other grow.”

 Beyond the music, organizers are focused on creating a welcoming and interactive environment. Attendees can expect games, contests and opportunities to connect directly with performers.

 “We will have small fun competitions like hula hoop and hacky sack, and every ticket is a meet and greet for all the artists,” Veda said. “You can get your picture taken with your favorite artist, win a big prize, and all while supporting a cause.”

 Looking ahead, Veda said the long-term vision includes expanding the festival into a two-day, multi-genre event. While rising travel costs limited this year’s format, plans are already in motion for future growth.

 “Next year, we want to run two days,” Veda said. “I have bands I would love to bring to Rapid City and share a stage with.”

 For now, success will be measured by both community turnout and the amount of food collected.

 “Success would be a lot of food donations,” Veda said. “At the end of the day, I’ll have brought some of my favorite artists to Rapid City and shared the stage with these underground legends. I call that success.”

 Black Hills Hunger Fest offers a unique opportunity for the community to come together, not just for music, but for a cause, reinforcing the idea that local events can make a meaningful impact far beyond the stage.  Remember to mark your calendars for July 25th and be at Aby’s for this one of kind event benefiting the community.