The annual Firelands Fine Arts Festival was held on May 7th and 8th at South Amherst Middle School. Friday evening featured an opening reception for the festival art gallery and highlighted works from students at every grade level. Participating students were honored with certificates and everyone attending enjoyed an array of artwork and delicious refreshments.
May 8th held great fun for those visiting the gallery and viewing live performances at SAMS. Festival entertainment included performances from a variety of talented students and groups: FES 5th Grade Recorders, FES Honors Choir, FHS Swing Band, FHS Concert Choir, FHS Freshman Choir, FHS Select Choir, The Butler Experience (Charlie Miller and Jake Butchko), Fresh2Def, Dalton Repine-Krejci, Mikaela Maldonado, Anna DiAsio and Karina Cloesmeyer.
Festival attendees were also treated to a variety of free festival workshops. Those who ventured to the library sampled healthy snacks and participated in Wii Fit and Sport demonstrations, provided by the Firelands School Health Committee. The cafeteria held make-it and take-it booths that offered participants the opportunity to make origami constructions and fuzzy pom-pom creations.
For a modest fee, festival-goers could also purchase artwork, souvenirs or raffle tickets, while donating to the district’s visual arts programs. FUNdraising activities included artwork, jewelry, caricature drawings and festival T-shirts created by FHS students and face paintings, which were painted by SAMS students. FHS students sold tickets for a 50/50 art basket raffle, as well.
All of this excitement makes a crowd hungry, but festival goers were well provided for! Firelands Choir Boosters, Band Boosters and Girl Scout Troop #543 kept everyone happy with a variety of edible treats.
A big thank you to all of those who contributed to make this year’s Firelands Fine Arts Festival great!