EASTON, Pa. — Live music, local food, fashion and art filled Scott Park on Sunday as community members gathered for the second annual Music, Talent, Fashion and Art Festival.
The free event was organized by Kalem Bailey, who is better known as Focus. Bailey has hosted Focus Festivals since 2021 and said he created the event to give artists, performers and local businesses an opportunity to connect with the community.
“Let me do a festival, reach a lot more people, and give people a chance to showcase their stuff and bring everybody out. The kids, the adults, everybody,” Bailey said.
This year’s festival featured a dance showcase, live bands, food vendors, a fashion show, a comedy show and a DJ battle featuring eight DJs from across the Tri State area competing for cash prizes.
Ashley Knight, one of the festival’s vendors, said the event gives people an opportunity to come together. “It just brings everyone together, and that’s definitely what we need right now,” Knight said.
The festival also introduced its first Community Impact Award. Bailey presented the inaugural honor to Easton Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone in recognition of his service to the community. “Our inaugural recipient is Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone. Great guy, served the community, grew up in Easton. He’s just a wonderful individual. Always getting laws and bills passed that help the community out,” Bailey said.
Bailey said he hopes the festival inspires future artists to pursue their passions while supporting local businesses throughout the community.
“I wanted a platform where kids can come out and see that their dreams are not that far away and they can be whatever they want to be. And people who may have missed their window to make it. Events like this let you know that all of those years of practicing on your guitar were not wasted,” Bailey said.
Although this year’s festival has ended, Bailey said there is still more to look forward to, including Oktoberfest in Easton on October 11.