As a computer science major, Iowa State junior Aaron Hefley could have spent the summer in a cozy office chair, serving his internship. Instead, Hefley chose to return to his hometown of Newton to revive, revamp and relive the local music scene.

Hefley is the co-coordinator of Bowlapalooza 1997, a Newton- based music concert festival, and he also plays guitar, bass and synthesizers in three different Newton bands.

In his second year of coordinating Bowlapalooza, Hefley also put quite a bit of his own money toward the event, which has grown tremendously in its two years of existence.

“It’s taken up all of my summer,” Hefley said between band practices Wednesday. “But for the love of music, it’s worth it.”

Hefley got the idea of putting together a concert the summer after he graduated from Newton High School. He was able to get funding from the Jasper County Arts Council but had trouble finding enough local talent.

But things have changed in the Newton music scene. Hefley decided to try his idea again last summer and found ten local bands who were willing to play. This year, Hefley and partner Dan Thayer filled 14 open slots in just two weeks.

“I was familiar with most of the Newton bands and pretty much had a spot for anyone that was interested,” Hefley said. “But it filled up so quickly, we had to start turning people down.”

Matt Peters, a guitarist in the Newton punk band Ballspin, felt the Newton scene had grown enough for Bowlapalooza to add a second stage. Peters booked three Newton bands to play during set changes on the main stage.

“There are tons of talented people in this town,” Peters said. “It’s a really good scene — mostly alternative rock.”

Hefley said he is anxious to see how the bands that played in last year’s festival have grown. He will also get to see one of his favorite bands, House of Large Sizes, play in his hometown — a long-time dream come true.

The Cedar Falls trio are set to take the main stage around 9:30 with a 70-minute set. Although the band was the festival’s largest expense, coordinators feel the addition will pay-off.

“A lot of people are talking about it this year,” Peters said. Both KKDM and KAZR are advertising the event, as well the Des Moines Register and Music.Com.

Because Newton lacks an all-ages venue for live music, Bowlapalooza is the first chance for some of the bands to perform. Other bands, such as Litha, have been playing gigs in such nearby towns as Knoxville.

“I am going to do my best to find shows for some of these bands to play outside of Newton,” Hefley said.

The Jasper County Arts Council, who sponsors the event along with some local businesses, put on Bowlapalooza last year with the help of Hefley. This year, Hefley received a grant from the council and has been on his own from there.

“I starting thinking about it six months ago and have been working hard on it for the past two and a half months,” he said. “[The council] contributed mostly because there’s not much entertainment here for people our age and they wanted to give us something to do.”

The event, dubbed Bowlapalooza II: Crunch Bowl, will be held at the Fred Maytag Bowl in Newton (hence the bowl reference in the festival’s name).

“It kind of started as a joke,” Hefley said about combining the Bowl with Lollapalooza. “It’s just a silly name that got a stick.”

Other bands appearing on the main stage of Bowlapalooza include Smilin’ Jack, Binary, Pookey Bleum, Mitey Felix, Caesar Split, Merry Pranksters, Salt Of Society and Lotion.

Social Disorder, Plaster and Common Cause will be appearing on the second stage.

Bowlapalooza II will take place Saturday, beginning at noon and ending by 11 p.m.

Admission is $6 at the gate. Maytag Park is located on West 3rd Street in Newton.