Money being raised for Brownsville festival
For Fred Lapisardi, it’s unfortunate to see how many people pass through Brownsville without giving it much thought.
Lapisardi said he wanted to change that and give people a reason to stop and enjoy the area.
The third Market Street Arts Festival, which will be held May 18-20, was designed to accomplish that goal.
“People weren’t stopping,” he said. “They were just zooming through. This is a way to get people to stop and stay in Brownsville.”
However, a lack of funding has put the festival in a bind.
“It has been difficult,” Lapisardi said. “I have been pretty much paying for it out of my pocket the last two years.”
With the festival less than two months away, the campaign has barely received any funding, raising only $30 of its $5,000 goal.
Money is needed to cover the cost of performers, competition prizes, and equipment and facility rentals. There are no admission fees, but the group welcomes donations.
To make a donation, visit online at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/market-street-arts-festival-2013.
Donations also can be made through Lapisardi by calling 724-880-3801 or emailing him at MarketStArts@gmail.com.
Held in conjunction with the National Road Festival and Nemacolin Castle, this year’s event will feature concerts, strolling musicians, ethnic food booths, theater productions, art and photography exhibits in historic buildings and museums and more. Working alongside his wife, Jacqueline, and his daughter Emily, he already has booked numerous musical groups, including Acoustic Shadows of the Blue and Gray.
With the hopes of receiving more funding, Lapisardi also anticipates seeing a few thousand people taking advantage of what Brownsville has to offer.
As stated on the festival’s fundraising page, “Our dreams are limitless, but our purses are small.”