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Festival of Art Music and Movement makes noise at park

Members of the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Art Club painted a butterfly tapestry for the event so people could stand in front of it and take their pictures. L.V. Hissem and Holly Buskirk, both members of the art club, stand in front of the butterfly for a photo. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

WILLIAMSTOWN — The first Festival of Art Music and Movement, also called FAMM Fest, was held Saturday at Veterans Park near the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport.

The event, which focused around the connectiveness of community, offered food, art, informational areas for going greener and healthier in your life and lots of musical opportunities.

The Parkersburg High School Big Reds Band had multiple instruments available for attendees to try out and there was a music competition for local student groups taking place at the stage.

“I would love to have more events with local student bands,” said Abby Taylor, a facilitator of the event and science teacher at PHS.

Taylor was also performing as a singer at the event with her band.

Steve Ball, of Parkersburg, talks with Jean Ambrose, volunteer with Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action, about living a more sustainable life. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

“These kids are better than they realize and the sooner we get them on stage performing the better, especially if music is a serious pursuit for their futures,” Taylor said.

There were two categories of winners, group and solo. The winning group was New Old Age, who won four hours of recording with Sweet Song recording studios, and the solo act was Evan Cunningham, who won four hours of recording time with Merf Recording Studios.

Ryann Renae, singer for New Old Age, said the band met at PHS, but some members have graduated and begun college since.

“We have been together nine months, and it is amazing and fun to be out performing for the community,” Renae said.

“Performing helps us really get to meet people, gain community support and grow a fan base,” she said.

A steady stream of people gathered at Veterans Park on Saturday to celebrate the first Festival of Art Music and Movement. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

Throughout the park there were informational tents, such as Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action, a volunteer group who are fighting for more sustainable living.

“We need to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” said Jean Ambrose, a volunteer with MOVCA.

Inside the tent were Dennis and Jorie Kennedy, of Rockport, who live a simple sustainable life.

“We are vegetarians, and grow 500-1,000 pounds of organic food a year,” said Jorie Kennedy.

Her husband Dennis said if one is looking to make their life more sustainable, to start slowly and practically.

“For example, switch to LED lights then take the money saved and invest it into something else, like a garden or growing your own wheat for grain,” he Kennedy said.

Dennis Kennedy said the more items you switch to a more sustainable option, the more things pay for themselves.

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