The Fall Music & Art Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 on Festival Way in Bradford. The event is intended to bring together a solemn commemoration with a day of music and creative activities. Admission to the event is free.
“It has been said, ‘the arts have the power to heal, to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.’ This is the most comprehensive tribute in the area and will be a day for our community to gather and bring our families together to commemorate this 20th Anniversary of 9/11 through the power of all the creative and performing arts,” said Darren Litz, Executive Director of BCPAC.
The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center (BCPAC) collaborated to create the day’s schedule, balancing the appreciation of local artisans of various mediums with the solemn remembrance of one of the nation’s greatest tragedies.
“Many of the activities and events are centered around Patriot Day and commemorating the 20th anniversary, as well as helping to educate and inform a new generation of why we honor this day,” Litz said.
The day includes a continuous rotation of musicians playing a wide variety of music. Music acts will include Jim Ronan with Connor Brien, The Crane Jazz Quintet, Brianna Blankenship, Second Act, Anthony Manning & Matt Zurat, Marshmellow Overcoat and Dana Jared.
There will also be live street entertainment in another area throughout the day, which will feature dancers and other artists.
Artisans that specialize in photography, jewelry, recycled art, poetry, crochet and various other mediums will be on hand, some creating art on the spot. Food trucks will be part of the event as well, along with a wing contest to let the attendees judge the day’s favorite among businesses and organizations who enter.
Meanwhile, the day’s list of activities honoring the anniversary of 9/11 include:
— Chalk artist Liz Dippold and some of her students creating a 9-11 Tribute on the sidewalk in front of the St. Bernards Auditorium
— Local fire departments with fire trucks will be present from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help bring awareness to Patriot Day
— A Memorial Corner will be set up at the Music Tent, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 with a banner, American flag flown at half-staff, fireman’s boots, gear, apparatus, and bell. As part of this, there will also be a Reflections Wall with poems, creative writings and reflections of 9/11.
“This should make a really nice addition to that area, and involve our community in the creating,” Litz explained.
— A chainsaw artist will be carving an “Americana” type piece to auction off at the end of the day.
— Creative art activities for the kids will include patriotic tattoos and face painting; red, white and blue sand art and spin art; balloon art and music shakers.
— A moment of silence will be observed at 3:43pm to remember the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11.
A special First Responder’s Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. to close out the festival, paying tribute to those who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
The service will include a flag processional from the Boy Scouts, welcome and remarks from City of Bradford Mayor James McDonald, special music prepared by Jim Ronan and Dana Brzenski, Eric Kessel speaking, a Fireman’s Prayer by Dan Burkhouse along with discussion on 9/11 and events of the day, remarks from Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward, a Policeman’s Prayer from Foster Township Police Chief Robb Shipman and remarks from Brad Preston, who spoke at the first memorial service in Bradford after the events of that horrific day.
The service will conclude with a special poem by Angela Cornelius, who was at the Pentagon during that infamous day, and Bradford City Fire Captain JD Tehle making a few remarks and ringing the bells prior to the annual procession through town and the lighting of the First Responder’s Monument in Oak Hill Cemetery.
“The list is still growing, as some of our artisans and performers will be doing things to also pay tribute to Patriot Day,” Litz explained.
Times and details for the entire event will be announced at the beginning of September.
Updates can be found on the bcpac.com website under events, and are updated daily.