Community festival celebrates togetherness

Locals came together Saturday to enjoy the company and nice weather for the first-ever community festival, paired with the Raise the Roof fundraiser, at the Old Gregg School.

“In a time that’s so divided, it’s great to have an event to really bring the community together,” Keri Miller, president of the advisory board at the Old Gregg School Community and Recreation Center, said.

Laughter filled the air as kids bounced in an inflatable castle, families threw around Frisbees and neighbors shared stories. Food vendors provided plenty of sweet treats for festivalgoers, and local musicians took the stage to entertain the crowd.

Musician Jonathan Bojan crooned a melancholy rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Landslide,” and later, during the Old Gregg School benefit concert, Erin Condo and Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats performed.

The festival also featured various craft-makers, artisan jewelers, a cornhole tournament and guest speakers from the community and advisory board.

“This is the 10-year anniversary of the Old Gregg School Raise the Roof fundraiser. We decided it was the perfect time to launch the community fest as well,” Miller said.

The Old Gregg School, located at 106 School Street, was once a vocation education facility but has been used as a recreation center since 2006. The building now houses a lending library, fitness and health program, youth center, office space for nonprofits and businesses and a commercial kitchen.

“It’s really nice to see locals and out-of-towners in the same place at once,” Miller said.

This story was originally published September 23, 2017 at 11:11 PM with the headline "Community festival celebrates togetherness."