Hernando Music Fest
Music festivals can be fun. You get to experience an entire day (or weekend) of diverse musical styles and groups, enjoy the atmosphere and do something different outside. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend.
It’s not really a cheap way, though. Festivals can be expensive. It’s not unusual to spend $20 or $30 to get in. And that’s just one day. A festival that runs two or three days can cost $50 to $80.
And that’s just for one person. Oh, you weren’t planning on going by yourself? Better empty your wallet.
Or, find a better festival. Let me suggest the Hernando Music Fest, which will take place this weekend at Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane in Brooksville. It’s the first year for the festival, and the schedule includes a lot of music, some extra activities for children, and a price point that will make your heart sing.
But, first things first.
A music festival, naturally, will feature music. And the Hernando Music Fest will have nearly 15 acts spread out over two days, representing talent from area counties.
It’s not just one music style, either. Whether you like jazz, rhythm and blues, country, or swing, there’s someone for you scheduled to perform. And, even if you prefer one style to another, an event like this is made for experiencing different genres and appreciating an array of musical talents. You might surprise yourself and find you like something different, after all.
So, there are plenty of performances to enjoy, but the music theme isn’t limited to the stage. A music activities tent will feature an instrument “petting zoo” for children, meaning they’ll get some hands-on experience with instruments they might have never even seen before, including the keyboard, harmonica and saxophone. There also will be art projects, giving them something to take home.
The focus on educating and inspiring youth isn’t surprising, since the event is presented by the Hernando County Arts Council, the Hernando Jazz Society, and Stir Up The Gift Talent Organization.
There also will be a food court at the festival, with wine and beer available to purchase. Coolers aren’t allowed, so that’s where you’ll go for refreshments throughout the day.
So, it seems like a full day of entertainment. Two days, actually. And that’s exactly what the Hernando County Fine Arts Council had in mind.
“Our whole goal is to give back to the community what they give to us, and in the meantime to spread the arts,” explained Jan Knowles, project coordinator for the council. If this festival goes well — like their annual Art in the Park that has been a success for many years and draws thousands — they’d like to make it an annual event, she said.
There is one thing missing, though: A famous name.
That’s what usually anchors a music festival, and that’s what accounts for a festival’s high cost.
Neither exists at the Hernando Music Fest, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a lot of great sounds coming from the stage. They’re locally based acts with a lot of talent and some pretty impressive resumes as well.
One of those artists, Jenny Rimmer, performed at last year’s Pasco Music festival, where she served as an opener for the Marshall Tucker Band. If you like country music, from Patsy Cline to Carrie Underwood, you’ll recognize a lot of Rimmer’s songs. She represents several eras in country music, and will perform both days at the festival.
So the variety is there, and the talent is there. What’s not there is the price.
The Hernando Music Fest is absolutely free. That’s no admission cost either day.
The way the sponsoring organizations make money is through the parking fee, which is a paltry $5 donation. Throw in whatever you choose to eat and drink, and it’s still a pretty cheap way to enjoy a couple of days full of music. Just look at what other music festivals are charging, and you’ll see what I mean. This one isn’t too far from home, provides more than a dozen acts, features various styles and like, I said, there’s no admission charge. That’s music to my ears, and my bank account.
So, bring a chair or blanket, and have a great time.
The Hernando Music Fest runs Nov. 7 from noon until 8 p.m., and Nov. 8 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. No dogs or coolers are allowed on the premises. For more information and for a lineup of music acts, visit HernandoArts.org, or call Knowles at (352) 279-5182.
What: Music in the Park/Hernando Music Fest
Where: Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, in Brooksville
When: Nov. 7 from noon until 8 p.m.; Nov. 8, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Who: The public is welcome
How much: No admission charge, parking is $5
More info: Visit HernandoArts.org, or call Jan Knowles at (352) 279-5182.
Published November 4, 2015
