La Plata, MD – There was much music, food and lots of paint Saturday, June 11 at the La Plata Town Hall. The occasion was Artsfest 2016, a presentation of the Charles County Arts Alliance (CCAA). The festival has been held for over 20 years, and according to CCAA Past President Diane Rausch, the 2016 edition “is our biggest event ever.”
Throughout the grounds of town hall, local artists had their works on display and for sale, and fest-goers of all ages were doing hands-on projects. One of the more popular was sponsored by the “Barrels by the Bay” Potomac project. The nonprofit gave attendees who either pre-registered or arrived to the festival early a free rain barrel to take home after it was custom-painted by the recipient.
There were two entertainment venues. The performers included the barbershop quartet Southern Maryland Sound, the jazz trio Higher Standards, folk musicians Cedar Run, blues group Steve Potter Blues Band, the Southern Maryland Jazz Orchestra, the Charles County Youth Orchestra, the Chesapeake Choral Arts Society, provincial folk artists Swan Creek Junction and the bluegrass band Crossroads.
Four elected officials—Charles County commissioners Peter Murphy, Ken Robinson and Amanda Stewart along with Delegate C.T. Wilson—presented proclamations to CCAA officials. The county commissioners declared June 11 “Artsfest Day in Charles County.” In reading the proclamation, Stewart described Artsfest as “a gift to the citizens of Charles County.”
According to Robert Rausch, current CCAA president, Maryland ranks fourth in the nation among states for “its support of the arts.” Data compiled by CCAA stated that during the last fiscal year the arts in Maryland generated $1 billion in total economic impact and created over 12,000 jobs.
Also introduced to the audience during the presentation were “Time Travelers” from Historic St. Mary’s City. In their roles as Maryland’s first governor, Leonard Calvert; and servant Hugh Nash, actors Aaron Meisinger and DJ Levery met and greeted fest-goers throughout the grounds.
To learn more about CCAA, visit their web site at www.charlescountyarts.org
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
