Whistling Goat deemed success

0

SIDNEY — Organizers of the Whistling Goat Music and Fine Art Festival, which took place Sept. 12 at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, have called it a success.

The first of what they hope to be an annual event comprised performances by area bands and arts activities for attendees. The goal was to raise money for scholarships for Shelby County students.

“We have three scholarships for Shelby county students graduating in 2016,” said festival founder Patti Laughlin Fogt, of Port Jefferson, in an email Wednesday. “The Asphalt Matriarch’s Poker Run earned a $240 scholarship for a nursing student. Two other scholarships are named for two of our relatives that have passed. The Barb Engle English and Reading Scholarship equals $550. (The other is the) Joe Pressel $500 Math and Science Scholarship.”

Teachers and counselors may nominate up to three students from each school for each scholarship. Forms and instructions are available at www.whistlinggoatfestival.com.

“We had one glitch (at the festival),” Fogt said. “In the morning, we had no sound. But we did start on time. Then Pastor Kris Archer Geise had the opening prayer and miraculously the sound came on.”

The most popular performance was by the Fairlawn Local Schools choir.

“They had a packed house at the acoustic stage. Moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas attended that presentation with great cheering and enthusiasm. I would love to have more schools involved next year like Fairlawn was this year. That is why we’re doing this, for the school kids. I did get to see the kindergartners sing, ‘Here Comes the Sun.’ I got choked up watching them, thinking to myself, that’s why we are doing this,” Fogt said.

Next year’s event will be Sept. 10.

“We’re already working on it,” she said. “This is a unique festival for the community, by the community, to help our children further their education.”

By Patricia Ann Speelman

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4824. Follow her on Twitter @PASpeelmanSDN.

No posts to display