The Light of Day Festival – an event to benefit the fight against Parkinson’s disease – draws dozens of musicians to Asbury Park every winter. But this year, the event will be held differently because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of audiences filling music venues throughout the city, this year the music will come to their homes in a virtual event to be held this weekend.

“It brings it out in us as musicians to be able to use our art to come together and help a worthwhile cause,” says musician Lisa Bouchelle.

Bouchelle is among at least 60 artists who will donate their talents to the event. Another is Jeffrey Gaines, a frequent performer at the Light of Day concerts. Gaines says that the event has become a musical tradition for artists and audiences alike.

The nonprofit Light of Day Foundation raises money through concerts for research and treatment of Parkinson’s and related diseases. Vice president and musician Joe D'Urso says some of the most fulfilling moments are when Parkinson's patients are in the audience.

“There’s a medicine that gets delivered through music at those shows that we do,” he says. “But people really take something away from it and you can’t put a price tag on that.”

The Light of Day Love Fest 2021 features 12 hours of performances streamed on Facebook and YouTube Friday through Sunday, including some new performances recorded at the Paramount Theater without an audience present. It will also include footage from previous Light of Day concerts, include last year's performance by Bruce Springsteen. But unlike other years, there are no tickets for sale. Donations are being accepted instead.

The Light of Day Foundation came to be after New Jersey music industry veteran Bob Benjamin was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.