Youngsters make, break in drums for FireFish Festival

Local youngsters designed their own drums and danced to the beat of their own rhythms during a drum making workshop at Lorain Public Library South Lorain Branch, 2121 Homewood Dr. in Lorain, Sept. 7.

The drums, which were made from square wooden frames wrapped in packing tape, will be played during this year’s FireFish Festival parade Sept. 21, to be held in downtown Lorain.

FireFish burning coordinator Daniel McNamara said opening up the drum making to the children in the area helps make the organization of the event even more of a community effort.

He said about halfway through the event that 12 children were in attendance “in order to create drums using simple materials like wood and packing tape to play in a parade which leads up to the burning of the fish.”

Children colored the frames of their drums using marker, which were then taped by drum maker and FireFish musician Baba Jubal Harris.

“The art here is fantas

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tic,” he said. “The creativity is really outstanding.”

He then taught them five different rhythms, with each children earning a mallet to hit their drums with once they master their first beat.

“With this rhythm, they’ll be able to play during the parade of the FireFish Festival,” Harris said.

A drum maker out of Cleveland, Harris said he’s been involved in the festival’s organization since its inception in 2015.

“(Harris) has brought his drum making skills and leadership to the fes

tival to get the community involved,” McNamara said.

Migdalia Turner, 30, of Lorain was one of the adults in attendance of the workshop, who brought her three children and goddaughter.

She had even designed her own drum.

“I think I’m having more fun that the kids right now,” Turner said with a laugh.

Her daughter Sophia, 5, of Lorain said that her favorite part of the workshop was the drumming.

Covered in blues, pinks and oranges, she said she designed her drum using her favorite colors.

JORDANA JOY — THE MORNING JOURNAL Drum maker Baba Jubal Harris, right, teaches local children drum rhythms and helps them make their own drums to playing during the FireFish Festival during a workshop at Lorain Public Library South Lorain Branch, 2121Homewood Dr. in Lorain, Sept. 7.