Celebrating art and education with a healthy dose of music, food and fun
For the kids of Normal Park, NormalPalooza is more than just a festival featuring games, live music, art, and food, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to embrace their creativity and show what their imaginative minds are made of. For the staff of Normal Park, those who shape these little minds, the festival means fundraising so their museum-based curriculum will continue on in inspiring the future of creativity in this world.
The US Department of Education has said that “art education is essential to stimulating the creativity and innovation that will prove critical for young Americans competing in a global economy,” and that’s precisely what Normal Park does. It’s a school that celebrates experiential learning as well as museum and community partnerships to further benefit its students.
For this year’s festival, the students of Normal Park were asked to create a piece of art depicting what NormalPalooza means to them. Hundreds of hand drawn masterpieces in various complimenting shades of crayons were entered, and one won the whole shebang: third grader Abigail McGee. Her drawing of bright colored frivolity and musical expression shows just what she loves about NormalPalooza, and her work featured the aside, “NormalPalooza is about coming together and having fun to raise money!”
The annual event will take place as always in front of the Upper School Campus on Mississippi Avenue, and will cover the grounds of campus and a block of Mississippi, filling the neighborhood with smells of delicious food truck vendors, sounds of local bands showcasing their different music styles, and plenty to see from Normal Park’s student body.
This will be the fourteenth year of the festival and some local talent will take the stage to entertain the crowd right for year fourteen. Nick Lutsko and the Gimmicks will headline the festival, along with performances by Trent Williams and the Menagerie, Lon Eldridge, and more.
While you’re taking in the music, grab a bite to eat from one of the many vendors, including Adelle’s Ice Cream Creperie, Good Dog, Kenny’s Smokehouse BBQ, and more, or get yourself a juicy burger Southern Burger Company’s food truck. Try to hold your lunch in as you take on rides and games for all ages. The Kraken, a 20-foot-tall dual lane slide, will be present, as well as a bungee run, Gyro ride, bounce house, and a petting zoo. Fun festival games will include the classic cake walk, sack race, toilet toss, bean bag toss, face painting, and a Lego station.
Join the students, parents, faculty, and community this Saturday as we benefit the future of Normal Park. The event, produced by Normal Park parents and sponsored by Brewer Media and a whole slew of community businesses, means supporting an innovative, award-winning Hamilton County school that has been a testament to the future of creative minds all around town.
NormalPalooza
Saturday, 10 a.m
Normal Park Magnet Schools
1219 W. Mississippi Ave.