CU-Lock Haven Hosts 20th Annual Kent's Fest Celebration

Commonwealth University-Lock Haven's Department of Exceptionality Programs and Council of Exceptional Children student group recently hosted the 20th annual Kent's Fest Celebration in April in the East Campus gym. The event provides a musical talent show for children and adults with disabilities.

This year's theme was "Battle of the Bands," for which participants created unique performances to personally selected music aligned with the theme. Approximately 450 students in grades kindergarten through 12 from Keystone Central, Jersey Shore Area, Williamsport Area, Penns Valley Area, Bellefonte Area, Montgomery Area and East Lycoming school districts participated. CARES of Central PA, an adult agency, also took part in the event, with more than 550 attendees coming to watch the performances throughout the day.

Twenty-seven Lock Haven student-volunteers helped plan, organize and support the event. Before the event, students created posters for each classroom based on their selected song performance, helped with decorations, and delivered T-shirts to participants. On the day of the event, students supported classrooms and performers.

"Each year, we continue to have new classrooms that want to be involved in the event. Every participant that I engage with during the event is having such a great time. The community truly looks forward to this event year after year. I continue to feel honored each year to bring such a special event to the community," said Erica Jones, event coordinator and professor in the Department of Exceptionality Programs.

Event sponsors included the Clinton County Community Foundation, who awarded the event with a $6,000 grant, and Bayada Home health Care Services in Williamsport, who donated $500. Other event contributors included CU-Lock Haven's CEC student group, Rachel K. Creations provided T-shirts, Troy Breon provided DJ services and other individual donors.