One of the highlights for me was meeting local artists selling their work. Like any local market, the interactions with the vendors is part of the joy–so much more personal and authentic than shopping with a commercial retailer. I bought a beautiful piece of pottery from two artists who work from home. At another booth I bought home-made greeting cards and a sticker that says “Ban Bigotry, Not Books.” This artist is a librarian in her day job. As I told her, I have long considered librarians to be the super-heroes on the front lines of community care, intellectual freedom, and democracy.
This art festival had an interesting wrinkle: the kids market. Wearing yellow T-shirts that say “I’m an entrepreneur,” children selling crafts and baked goods took up about half of the market. Soon my wife had bought bracelets and necklaces from different youngsters; I bought soap and a bath bomb; we bought home-made slime. “Slime is banned in our house,” I heard the mom say as her son was assertively selling containers of it at their booth, “but I encourage him to make it and sell it here.”
Finally, there was a stage erected right in the middle of the main downtown intersection, and during the hours I attended the art fair I saw this wide variety of performances: dancing by the Central Michigan Belly Dance group; lovely singing by a young solo performer named Emily Faber; and then a raucous hour of music by a loud and entertaining rock band. Watching the three rock musicians interact with the audience and each other was another highlight of my day.
When a community honors artists, honors children, and makes space for public music and dance performances, it brings joy and togetherness to the people. I’m glad that I got to enjoy the festival and I’m grateful to everyone who organized it and participated in it.
PRAYER:
May music bless the public spaces of the city: those who dare to sing in the streets bring beauty and joy.
May artists be blessed in their creativity, with the divine spark flowing through them.
May children and parents be blessed when they try new things and take risks.
May every community find ways to come together in peace and joy.
Amen.
Rev. Andrew Frantz
August 22, 2023