Although a physical gathering won’t be possible for the 26th annual Cheat Fest, organizers are bringing festivities to residents’ homes virtually.
“I really do believe that joy and celebration are important in difficult times,” said Lauren Greco, Cheat Fest director. “While we need to physically distance ourselves, we can still socially connect, and in fact we have to. I’m hoping Cheat Fest will be an opportunity for folks to feel connected, to tap into a little creativity, to celebrate and to dance.”
The festival will be held virtually April 27-May 3, and will feature activities that will includ a virtual silent auction, educational talks about watershed, children’s activities and a 5K run.
Registration for the 5K is open, and to compete participants will run the distance on their own and record their times individually.
Greco said this year’s event is free, but donations are welcome through purchasing tickets online, pre-ordering shirts or participating in the silent auction. All proceeds will go to offsetting the cost of canceling the festival and supporting Friends of the Cheat.
While donations are appreciated, another way the community can help out is by participating and spreading the word about the event.
“The biggest way the community can support the event is by being a part of it,” Greco said. “Join the 5K and share about your run, send in a video of you playing a song from home, enter into the coloring contest, watch the presentations and dance at home to the musical sets.”
Moving the event online came with it’s own set of challenges. Although Greco typically works from home, she said this is still a very different experience.
“I’ve never organized a festival online, so there are some challenges in just figuring out what the heck to do,” she said. “The other worry I feel is that now the festival is only open to people who use the internet, and I fear that so many of the folks who really make Cheat Festival special might not have access or don’t spend time on the net.”
Although not everyone may be able to participate virtually, Greco said she believes this year’s festival will still serve as an important community event.
“I really believe good things will flow from this,” she said. “We are all being called to act as a global community to show care for our collective health and well-being. Navigating these health risks and the economic challenges is really bringing to light how much we all depend on one another, and how much is possible when we work together to show care.”
More information on the event can be found at Cheatfest.org. Suggestions for event activities or additional questions can be emailed to Cheatfest@cheat.org.
By Gabriella Brown
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