The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lovefest introduces new musicians
Chardon Square was filled with music and art during Lovefest, the annual open-air music festival.
Chardon Square was filled with music and art during Lovefest, the annual open-air music festival aimed at introducing new musicians.
Joe Linsky, who has been the coordinator along with partner Leah Marra for the last six years, says the purpose behind Lovefest “is to provide a space for up and coming musicians to perform, while giving people in the community the chance to come out and listen to good free music.”
Now in it’s eighth year, the music festival has grown so much, according to Linsky, that they now take applications for musicians who want to play the event instead of searching for them.
The July 22 event had 17 bands scheduled to perform both in the square and on the theater stage.
Linsky noted that vendors were added to the event about three years ago, and the numbers have increased. This year, the event featured six food trucks and 16 vendors.
Activities at the event included a bubble show, upcycled instruments, tie-dyed shirts, a fun bus, henna, face painting and a Chinese raffle.
According to Linsky, the Lovefest has been compared to the Chardon Art Jam, but he feels the Art Jam is more artist based while Lovefest is more music based.
It’s estimated that approximately 150-200 people attended the event within the first couple hours.
Linsky believes rainy weather affected the numbers, citing there was double the amount in attendance at last year’s event.
He also notes that the coordinators are still working to identify the strengths and weaknesses within the event and are working towards refining it.
ShannonLiz Drudy, of Pittsburgh, is an artist and a repeat attendee at Lovefest.
“I love it,” she said. “I think it’s incredible how much it has grown.”
Artist Ashley Rowan, of Chardon, who has attended the event for the past several years decided to set up as a vendor this year displaying her acrylic paintings. She said she looks forward to doing it again next year.
Alex Opatrny, of Perry, is a band member of The Skies Above Us which performed at this years event. Rowan said the event marked the very first public performance of the band.
“We are a new band, so we are trying to get our name out there,” he said. “We are looking for an opportunity to share our music.”
Henry Patricy, also of The Skies Above Us, thought that it was great they were able to perform and noted that it was a good festival.
“It’s nice to see a community that has been through so much come together at an event called Lovefest,” Patricy said.