Families in harmony at annual festival
The Harmony Festival is a perfect fit for Jill Staveley.
It’s got music and family time rolled into one.
The annual picnic happened at the Nicholls Oval Pavilion Saturday.
It featured several hours of music, with local musicians playing a variety of genres from funk to electronic.
Local reggae band Dub Trinity started the event seven years ago.
Typically playing in local bars, they thought it would be nice to have an outdoor event that they could bring their kids to, said bass player Kirsten Addis.
As a musician and mother, St ave ley was in her element.
She brought her two kids, Charlie, 6, and Meara, 3.
Like the rest of the families, they brought snacks, setting up a blanket on the grass outside the pavilion.
Staveley has been going to the event since its launch.
She’s also played at the festival in the past, and liked that she didn’t have to hire a babysitter like she normally would while on stage.
And her kids get to see their mom perform, too.
“I’m so happy that (Dub Trinity) decided to take the initiative to carve out a space for our generation of parents ,” she said.
St ave ley said the festival is a reflection of what her demographic is looking for in terms of family time.
“It’ s so nice to be able to come to a place that fits you rather than trying to goto something else that our capitalist society feels is a kids’ space ,” she said.
With that in mind, the mother of two created a monthly open mic night at the Pig’s Ear Tavern that’s family friendly.
She launched it three years ago and it happens every second Tuesday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m.
“I wanted still to be a apart of music, but I didn’t want to have to worry about getting babysitters and being exhausted,” Staveley said of the open mic night.
Meanwhile, Becky Barber and Judith Amesbury sat on a picnic table inside the pavilion Saturday afternoon.
It was their first time going to the festival since moving to the city a year ago from Du nd as. They thought the eclectic music mix was fantastic.
“I’ ll definitely want to come back, forever,” said Barber.
As musicians and newcomers, Ames bury said the event was a nice way for the couple to integrate into their new music scene on a beautiful day. “It’ s nice to relax and find our people ,” Ames bury said.