The first ever Coal Region Music Festival for Veterans gets underway Saturday with 12 hours of music from 23 local bands, along with vendors, food trucks and a beer garden.

All proceeds from the event at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds will benefit Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc.

Already, organizers said more than triple the goal of tickets have been sold.

“The Coal Region is very proud of their heritage and very supportive of their military,” Jennifer Miller, volunteer coordinator, said.

The music festival is hosted by The Coal Region Brotherhood of Schuylkill Haven and The Abandoned Miners of Cass Township.

Officials from both nonprofit organizations wanted proceeds to benefit the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors since 96 cents of every dollar received helps veterans recovering from physical, mental or emotional ailments at military hospitals, Veteran’s Administration medical facilities or with their families.

The family-friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from the fairgrounds at 2270 Fair Rd., Schuylkill Haven.

“We will have 23 bands performing from three stages” including an all-acoustic stage, said Miller, a Tamaqua native.

Performers include Vince Rollins, Gillian Smith, Cody Ross Smith, Clifton Bryan Country, Zenith, Intoxxxication, Adrenalyn, The Jeremy Edge Project, Hooligan, Nick Trauer Band, JFK, Sadie Hawkins, Phazed, Wreconcile, Looker, Orox, Blank ID, Sterling Kotch, John Frye, Agustus Scott, Jon Stefen, Robert Ressler and Dynamics Department.

Nonprofit organizations will also be on hand, and several will have information on services available to veterans.

“I’m very proud of this event and the way that the community and all of the small businesses came together to help us pull this off as a first-time event,” Miller said. “It is something that they have worked very, very hard on. We are very excited and just proud that our community pulled together to support us and help us help our heroes.”

Presale discounted tickets are available until midnight today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coal-region-for-veterans-music-festival-tickets-932216975067. Tickets will be available at the gate Saturday. Children under 12 are free. Attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets.