COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 3 Virtual Welcome 2020 In any other year, this Welcome would be a greeting to you upon entering Goodale Park, a physical space that has been ComFest’s home for almost three decades. But this isn’t any other year. It’s a year of what happened and what didn’t happen, of pandemic, uncertainty, lockdowns, and social distancing. A year of cancelled or diminished arts events, concerts, worship services, athletic competitions, conventions, graduation ceremonies, weddings, memorial services. Another year of a president who is the embodiment of 1984’s Newspeak. Another year of those in charge of the federal government continuing their assaults on democracy. A year that has filled the streets with angry protests against police violence WHAT’S INSIDE? and racism. Katelyn Ratajczak Logo...... Front Cover Nonetheless, welcome to 2020’s virtual ComFest. Paul Volker Logo...... 2 Since 1972’s original Community Festival, the concept of Welcome Virtually...... 3-4 community has been central to this annual celebration. The small group of artists, craftspeople, political activists, small businesspeople, ComFest Principles/Mission Statement...... 5 and musicians who organized that first festival on 16th Avenue ComFest 365...... 6 in 1972 had, over a number of years, developed a counter-culture ComFest During Covid-19 and George Floyd... 7-8 supporting alternative lifestyles that rejected militarism and Spirit & Purpose...... 8 consumer culture, nurtured collective effort, and supported liberation movements here and abroad. They hoped to enlarge the word ComFest Grants...... 9 community beyond description of a physical, geographic space to a Honored Community Organization ...... 10 psychological space that offered a different way of relating to each Organize For Justice other and the world. VOTE - Lives Depend On It...... 11-12 This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we exist largely in Honored Volunteer...... 13 virtual spaces. Faced with science-based evidence of an invisible health threat, we’ve withdrawn into our homes, begun wearing masks Honored Community Activists...... 14-15 to protect each other when we’re in public places, communicated Honored Artist...... 16 with friends and family online, and in some cases worked from home Honored Volunteer...... 17 to reduce the possibility of infection. We’ve largely accepted the Volunteer Thank Yous...... 18-22 necessary limitations on what we casually called “normal life.” Virtual Schedule...... 23 Yes, there have been trolls and tools and TrumPutins and Tweeters sowing lies, disinformation, and misinformation as part of the right- Street Fair...... 24 wing assault on concepts of reality such as facts, evidence, and truth. Logo Contest/ComFest Merch...... 25 Some of them are purveyors of ideas that reject the central element of This Empty Park ...... 26-27 being a community: people can depend on each other. These believers Community Organizationa...... 28 in rugged individualism hold that freedom means not having to be In Memoriam...... 29-31 concerned about the well-being of other people. ComFest rejects this philosophy. Its Statement of Principles Virtual Lemonade...... 32 outlines beliefs that are a framework for a community that values KiDSART Logo...... 33 equality, sharing, empathy, and mutual responsibility (see page5). We Mimi Morris/Paul Volker Logo...... Back Cover are responsible for each other and the world we’re infinitesimal parts of. Period. ComFest™ is a registered trademark So this year the connections made and reinforced in Goodale of Community Festival, Inc Park each summer are happening virtually. We’re occupying different comfest.com physical spaces, like the tens of thousands of people in the streets of 4 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM cities across the U.S. to protest the killing of George the powers-that-be has re-energized pressure on Floyd by Minneapolis police and the in-your-face governments to deal with global climate change. video evidence of the country’s prolonged, systemic Around the world, the killing of George Floyd and racism it revealed to white America. others has ignited ongoing demonstrations against We always exist on multiple planes: the physical police violence and the militarization of safety world, our conscious and subconscious perceptions forces. The Trump administration’s routine lies and of it, our sense of the divine or supernatural, our incompetent, nothing-to-see-here response to the aspirations, our emotions and imaginations, the coronavirus pandemic illustrate how once again individual and the collective. These are largely highly the poor and people of color shoulder the profound individualized but consequences of also shared and to political corruption. some extent cohesive. Current conditions echo ComFest has how black, brown, and existed in a space that poor people bore the its detractors describe Vietnam war’s costs in as “stuck in the 60s.” lives and money, and Yet, although activists how politicians lied to have made progress the American people in what poet Langston about “body counts” Hughes called and “successes” as the making “America conflict dragged on. be America,” the Although the issues of racial and Goodale Park event economic inequality, had to be cancelled, worker protections, ComFest’s General LGBTQ rights, and environmental protection have not Planning Committee has worked hard to maintain the disappeared over the nearly 50 years of ComFest’s spirit that has driven ComFest since its beginning. existence; in fact, the deep roots of these problems This virtual festival includes music, vendors, and have become more evident. If you want social change, live-streamed performances as well as speakers and you better be in it for the long haul. workshops on vital issues. Take a leisurely stroll As the Democrats have failed to support working through this virtual festival with close friends, keeping people and become dependent on Wall Street donors in mind that everybody else matters as much as you while Republicans have conducted a 40-year counter- do. revolution to destroy what progress had been made, the Black Lives Matter. The Earth we’ve temporarily conditions that generated the cataclysmic upheavals of borrowed from the future matters. Health care for all the 60s and 70s simmered below the surface. matters. Access to voting matters. Make it so. Lives We are living in a critical moment. Young climate- depend on it. change activist Greta Thunberg’s frank address to —Steve Abbott

• Edited by Mimi Morris, Steve Abbott, Michael Gruber, Michael Weber • Design and Layout by Michael Gruber, Jonathan Johns, David Browning • Illustrations by Paul Volker • Photos by Michael Gruber, Michael Weber, Mimi Morris, Maddie McGarvey, Honorees • 2020 ComFest logo design by Katelyn Ratajczak • Writers: Steve Abbott, Michael Weber, Mimi Morris, Leslie Zak, Harry Farkas, Shanna Harrell, Connie Everett, Julie Kurzenberger, Marty Stutz, Graham Bowman, Jonathan Johns, Michael Doody • Printed at home and viewed everywhere • All photos copyrighted by the photographers • ComFest TM is a registered trademark of Community Festival, Inc. COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 5

COMMUNITY FESTIVAL STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

The Community Festival is guided by its Principles. The Principles are statements of what the members believe is basically important. They are: We think that people ought to work for the collective good of all people rather than for personal gain. We support cooperation and collective activity rather than competition and individual profit. — The basic necessities of life are a right and not a privilege. People have the collective right to control the conditions of their lives. — People should strive to conduct their lives in harmony with the environment. — We recognize that there are primary attitudes that divide and oppress people. These attitudes are usually shown by prejudice against people on the basis of age, class, ability, income, race, sex and sexual preference/orientation. — We seek to eliminate these attitudes. The Statement of Principles is more important than any other writings of the Community Festival.

COMMUNITY FESTIVAL MISSION STATEMENT

The Community Festival is an independent, volunteer-organized celebration of creativity and activism in Columbus, OH. Founded in 1972. Its purpose is to build bridges between progressive non-profit organizations, artists, and volunteers to raise awareness and promote action within our community. Everything we do is guided by our principles which promote community unity, tolerance, and equity. We will strive to realize this mission through the fulfillment of the following Organizational Goals: • Building community bridges and nurturing collaboration through safe, peaceful, sustainable practices • Initiating opportunities for community involvement and activism including information and workshops at the festival, non-profit networking and communication • Promoting a more unified, tolerant, and equitable community • Showcasing and celebrating Columbus and Central Ohio artists, craftspeople, musicians, activists and community organizations 6 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM ComFest 365

Community Festival is a non-profit organization run distribute grants to support worthy innovative programs by volunteers who work year-round through committees of local community organizations. and general meetings to produce the festival each June. Involvement in community projects and other city We welcome new members and new ideas. We make events is how ComFesters promote the spirit of the decisions based on a consensus model grounded in our organization throughout the year. core principles and code of regulations. You can learn Today’s organizers are the beneficiaries of many more by visiting us on the web at comfest.com and our decades of planning and momentum, but there is always Community Festival Facebook page. room for new volunteers ready to take the next step, from Community working at the festival Festival looks easier to joining a committee than it really is. More and making ComFest than three dozen something you do rather organizers work than simply attend. on it all year when This year has nobody’s looking. been a challenge for Each autumn, everyone. Comfest festival organizers was faced with host a planning making the difficult retreat to work on but correct decision to improving the festival cancel the traditional and strengthening Goodale Park festival. community relations. This led to many In early March each year, Community Festival online meetings to decide how best to keep the spirit of sponsors a logo contest that attracts creative ComFest alive as a virtual experience. The photo shows individuals who share their artistic talents hoping their how we have been meeting recently. winning design will grace volunteer T-shirts, beer Hopefully 2021 will give us the opportunity to mugs and the Program Guide cover. The contest brings resume the party with a purpose in Goodale Park with people together and helps celebrate the local arts proper public health concerns addressed. community. Maybe this is your year to step up and put your In early May – except this year – the annual talents to work in helping to produce the city’s best membership meeting attracts organizers, volunteers and annual festival. Why not surprise yourself? community organization representatives. We gather for a meal, conversation, a bit of business, and conclude — ComFest Program Staff with the most rewarding thing we get to do each year:

MEETING SCHEDULE For meeting location, dates and times: www.comfest.com 2021 COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: JUNE 25, 26 & 27 COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 7 ComFest In The Era of Covid-19 and George Floyd

This has been a tumultious year. The Community festival, moving to the Short North, the burning of the Festival community has lost two original ComFesters Northside Community Center, the death of original (Margret Sarber-Nie and Burt Cantrell) and two long- ComFesterLibby Gregory in a plane accident, the time peace and justice activists (Les Stansbury and Cindy changing nature of the Short North. When the early Pride Strauss). At the same time all of us are reeling from marches needed a safe place to congregate, ComFest the effects of COVID-19 and the stunning murders of became the starting point for the parade. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and But ComFest survived each challenge and grew George Floyd. stronger. Forty eight years later we There may never have been are largest free, urban, multi-day, a time when ComFest was more expressly political, volunteer-run needed. The community needs festival in the country. This is just ComFest but it is not there in one sign of the vibrant progressive person this year for everyone community in Columbus. to congregate, discuss and heal together. That which touches me most, Is that I had a We who believe in chance to work with people freedom cannot rest Passing on to others We who believe in that which was passed freedom cannot rest until on to me it comes This year, Covid-19 hit and there became a new community, During the Civil Rights ComFest eagerly joined. A movement one of the great community willing to sacrifice so champions for community that others in the community could leadership was Ella Baker and also survive. The unity shown those are her words. (https:// among allies and enemies was ellabakercenter.org/about/who- more than heartening it had the was-ella-baker). They come from potential to be game changing. a musical piece called Ella’s Song by Bernice Johnson As time has gone on that unity has weakened as Reagan. Ella Baker’s vision of the world in this song will individuals demanded that having their nails done or help guide all of us to some greater understanding of the getting a haircut was more important that protecting those world we want to live in. in the community who could not protect themselves. Com Fest was started at a time of crisis in 1972. The war in IndoChina, the emergence of the counter-culture Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the and the arrest of some of the ComFest’s organizers light just to shine on me on the very day of the Festival. The festival was born I need to be just one in the number as we stand out of struggle and is meant to be an expression of the against tyranny community. ComFest has stayed true to its community roots. Then on May 25, a police officer aided by other As the festival grew bigger it was faced with police, stepped on the neck of George Floyd and many obstacles: the need to hire police to guard the murdered him An anti-racist community arose. Wearing 8 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM

facemarks and trying as best as they could in crowds, to socially distance, millions came forward to demand an Spirit & Purpose end to police brutality. The community grew night by night and took up the larger issue of systemic racism with ComFest celebrates community in all its a passion and a fury not seen since the civil rights era. manifestations from business to art to community organizations. Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ Sometimes overshadowed by the celebration of sons great art, music, vendors, food, drink, the beautiful Is as important as the killing of White men, surroundings, reconnecting with friends, and great vibes, White mothers’ sons it is easy to lose sight of ComFest's Purpose. Sometimes it gets drowned out by the party. Guided by ComFest's Again allies and some enemies have joined hands Statement of Principles and Mission Statement (page5), to say “BASTA”, Enough. The age of systemic racism The Spirit & Purpose (S&P) Committee aims to in this country must end and it must end now. The bring that purpose to the forefront, inserting it into challenges ahead are monumental and it will not happen every aspect of the Festival and determining how it is tomorrow but it starts now. perceived by the public. Only through an alliance which is multi-racial, Some of the ways S&P achieves these goals: without caring about a persons class status, sexuality, • Selecting and developing purpose-driven content sexual orientation, physical or mental challenges, religion emphasizing the important current issues, annual or where a person lives will all of us be able to throw off theme and slogans. of the shackles of the old and build a better future for all. • Supporting and coordinating with other festival committees to achieve message cohesion. Struggling myself don’t mean a whole lot I • Developing and nurturing ComFest relationships come to realize with community organizations, social leaders, and That teaching others to stand up and fight is the local artists. only way my struggle survive • Selecting and scheduling the workshops and speakers. ComFest has always been a safe place for those • Overseeing the Peace & Healing Tent, Emcee in society who have been shunned, marginalized and Selection and Training, Stage Announcements, Art ostracized. in the Park, Supervising the ComFest Museum, It has been a struggle to get to this point but together Coordinating Photographers & Videographers, there is a way forward. Together as a community. Retreat Planning, The Awards Ceremony, ComFest Merchandise, ComFest 365, Future We who believe in freedom cannot rest Planning and more. We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it Columbus is rich in talent that deserves to be comes showcased. A progressive environment fosters such

talent and forward-thinking, making this a great (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Uus--gFrc) community in which to live and thrive. Think about how you can get involved in activities related to your most important social concerns. — Michael Weber — Darryl Mendelson Spirit & Purpose Committee

https://www.comfest.com/virtual-workshops/ (with full workshop list and S&P channel schedule) COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 9 Principles In Action: Community Festival Grants Community Festival established the grants program including food, clothing, warm blankets, housing in the spirit of giving back to our community. Each referrals, assistance in applying for benefits, and more. year ComFest invites grant applications to support and Community members ask what they can do when sustain programming that demonstrates a commitment encountering someone who is homeless. In response, to ComFest’s principles which are rooted in community, CRC developed the Community Homeless Kit Project. social justice and progressive activism. Since 2006, A kit includes essential personal care items and bus ComFest has awarded over $320,000 in grants to local passes. ComFest’s grant will allow CRC to purchase organizations. supplies for 200 kits. The kits will be available for This year, six organizations doing essential work in anyone in the community to pick up and hand out Central Ohio received ComFest grants: when they see someone living on the streets. Contact: Food Not Bombs – Columbus (FNB) is a non- www.clintonvillecrc.org and www.facebook.com/ violent direct action group dedicated to changing society ClintonvilleResourcesCenter/ so food becomes a person’s given right, rather than a Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS) “gift” to be begged for. FNB reclaims food that would – Survivor Support Services The grant will assist end up in a landfill and provides fresh produce, bread and ETSS in providing services for vulnerable populations prepared meal services. escaping abusive relationships. Tragically, the majority The grant will enable acquisition of a walk-in cooler of Central Ohio’s immigrant and refugee communities to expand safe refrigeration capacity allowing FNB to are isolated and often don’t understand the inner reclaim a greater quantity of food for persons in need. workings of social service support systems. Survivor Contact: [email protected] Support bridges that disconnect by providing emergency Summer Jam West is an arts and music organization services to immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic in the Hilltop neighborhood. Their annual festival violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. In 2019, features installation of permanent, public art as a gift to ETSS Family Care served 83 primary victims and 187 the community. The grant will support a commissioned secondary victims from 29 different countries. mural to be painted at 3045 Sullivant Ave. Contact: www.ethiotss.org Local artists Michael Boudreault and Chris IMPACT Safety, a program of LifeCare Alliance McDaniels (Artisan Rooms) will produce the mural. The Safe Bars 614 is a restaurant and bar intervention design reflects the theme: “Color Your World Green” program that teaches staff how to intervene in sexual and depicts a "green goddess" dropping her veil of hair assault, harassment, and other disruptive behaviors over a smog filled, industrialized area. The mural’s they see occurring in their places of employment. Safe message is to protect and heal the earth. Contact: patti@ Bars 614 uses an innovative bystander intervention summerjamwest.org and www.summerjamwest.org/ curriculum to empower participants to stand up against mural-2020/ sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other acts of VoiceCorps Reading Service is a radio reading inappropriate behavior to increase safety and comfort in service that enriches lives by reading printed news and Franklin County bars and restaurants. information to people who are blind, have low vision, or The grant will help market and publicize the training other conditions that prevent reading. Oftentimes, these program, produce promotional materials to build interest are men and women who have experienced vision loss in the program and achieve buy-in from restaurants and late in life – after a lifetime of independent reading. The bars, primarily those located in the Short North area. grant will support an awareness and outreach campaign Contact: www.lifecarealliance.org/programs/impact- to increase the number of persons served by VoiceCorps. safety/safe-bars-614/ Contact: www.voicecorps.org and www.facebook. Community Festival congratulates the 2020 grants com/voicecorps awardees. Visit comfest.com for details on how to apply Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources for the 2021 grants program. Center (CRC) has been working with those facing homelessness since 1971. CRC provides resources — Marty Stutz 10 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM HONORED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION 1DivineLine2Health While Columbus residents search for answers to 1DL2H is a mobile social service agency that is a true questions about what role if any the police department embodiment of the harm reduction and community-based ought to play in low-income and predominately model that many nonprofits tout but fail to achieve. They minority communities, what non-violent approaches to operate two safe houses in the Hilltop and Linden for public safety would look like, and how young people survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence and in can channel their rage towards achieving change, recovery. They conduct street outreach out of a red utility 1DivineLine2Health (1DL2H) is a good organization truck called the “Love Bug” that distributes food, clothes, to look to as an example of a non-profit that provides and Narcan. Esther’s performs first aid and transports appropriate interventions to vulnerable populations where trafficking victims to recovery and hospitals. They are in they are at. the process of opening the first full-time Drop-In Center 1DL2H’s founder, Esther Flores, was raised by a for trafficking victims in Franklin County. Spanish speaking Puerto Rican mother in a 12th floor 1DL2H’s success comes from having no illusions apartment in the Bronx. During her about what is required to meaningfully early life, domestic violence was advocate for the survivors they serve. a normal routine after her father Their work does not fit neatly into a left. Countless acts of trauma and campaign commercial or Facebook victimization followed through fundraiser. 1DL2H volunteers, led Esther’s young years at home and by Esther, are not afraid to build in her community. She grew up in relationships with drug dealers and fear and had to learn to fight, both abstractly and literally traffickers and immerse themselves in their world to (she was and still is very small). make the work possible. However, with faith and support of schoolteachers, 1DL2H believes this intimate immersion, motivated she decided that she would only be able to escape the by an unwavering compassion for all people, is a critical Bronx if she got an education, so she put herself through component missing from most levels of city government school and received a degree in forensic medicine from and particularly the police department. When they enter Lehman College and a nursing degree from the Ohio a house used as a haven for drug and sex trafficking, they State. are not armed with a gun and a badge, but with Narcan During the early years of her career she worked at and food. Their nonviolent strategy towards combating Columbus hospital and skilled-nursing facilities, but she society’s failures allows them greater access and respect gravitated towards working in free clinics who served in the hardest to reach communities than a badge ever immigrants, homeless and trafficking victims. She had will. an affinity for patients whose circumstances reminded As Esther watches young people from Columbus rise her and her own community’s struggles accessing health up against police violence and other systemic injustices, care. she shares their fury and sees her young self in their In 2015, fed up with the injustices she saw in pain. She is reminded of this quote from her favorite the health care system, she founded 1DL2H. The freedom fighter, Pedro Albizu Campos, who was the first organization is a non-profit that provides basic needs and Puerto Rican to graduate from Harvard, “Young people access to health care to the most vulnerable populations have a duty to defend their country with weapons of in our city, especially the West Side. The area is known knowledge.” She hopes that they can use her story as an as the epicenter of human and drug trafficking, high example, find resilience through their pain, and see the infant mortality rate, lowest life expectancy, and movement that they are creating as a form of patriotism highest eviction rate in Franklin County. It is filled with and that they bolster that movement through education, indigenous ethnic cultures where sexual violence is kept healing and practical solution to create safer and healthy silent. neighborhoods. — Graham Bowman

COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 11 ORGANIZE FOR JUSTICE VOTE – LIVES DEPEND ON IT A wise old man once said, “There are decades when There are other indicators that this upheaval is nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades more than just the annual spring outing for activists: happen.” Even he had no idea how fast change can come Fundraising for bail funds for protestors, as well as all sometimes. sorts of civil rights organizations, skyrocketed literally Looking back now at The Before Times — before overnight, as hundreds of millions of dollars poured the triple whammy of COVID-19 / economic collapse into national and local organizations that saw their / popular uprising — it can be hard to remember how funds increase tenfold or more. ActBlue, the donation slowly the arc of history was bending toward justice only hub for liberal and progressive causes, reported three months ago. But now streets all across America donations totaling $250 million in the first two weeks are full of protestors demanding justice, everything is of June, including bringing in $41 million in just 24 in motion and suddenly it feels like together, nothing is hours. Similarly, organizations like Color of Change, impossible. the Marshall Center and Already this movement Democratic Socialists of has brought out an America have seen their unprecedented number of membership numbers soar marchers in the middle of as the protests spread, with a pandemic, in small towns Color of Change growing and big cities, over and over from 1.7 million members and over again. By sheer to 7 million in just days. refusal to back down the Voter registration is protestors are changing laws also up significantly, as and minds, and giving heart it becomes unavoidably to many allies isolated by obvious that the November COVID-19 who were unable election is an existential to join in this outpouring of challenge for this country. solidarity. The uprising has also undammed a tidal wave Thousands of young volunteers who had embraced of art, which is the mark of a sustainable movement. Bernie Sanders’ broad agenda for change have continued At the same time that the Black Lives Matter to work to register and turn out voters, using the same movement, the gun sense movement and the police sophisticated and effective grassroots techniques as accountability movement are marching in the street demonstrated in that campaign, and that work got another together, another national movement for change is big lift when LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes making their voices heard in digital space. The Poor launched the “More than a Vote” project to fight vote People’s Campaign National Call for Moral Revival suppression. moved its long-planned June 20 mass demonstration from All of these movements coming to the fore at the Washington DC to online and CSPAN presentations, same time is strong reason for hope in an otherwise dark showcasing an impressive coalition of community, moment. But all of this work needs still more hands, political advocacy and civil rights organizations, and stronger platforms. The most encouraging sign is including very prominently trade unions and faith that trade unions are stepping up: new organizing and groups. The Poor People’s Campaign has put forward a strikes in workplaces from news organizations to gig comprehensive and detailed list of demands for economic economy networks, combined with solidarity actions like and racial justice — and they have the network of the Longshoremen's shutdown of 29 west coast ports to deeply rooted local groups that can sustain such a bold protest police brutality, are putting organized labor back campaign. in the spotlight where it belongs. Unions are the strongest 12 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM ally any campaign for justice can hope for, so this justice: End the militarization of police and break the renewed alliance portends even greater changes to come. malignant power of the police unions. Institute debt relief This focus on new union organizing and labor and ensure a universal basic income. Enact Medicare solidarity will become ever more important in the coming for All. Defend and extend voting rights. Disband ICE months. The US economy is undergoing one of the and create fair immigration policies. End the use of largest wealth transfers in history — and the money is fossil fuels, fast-track development of renewable energy flowing in the wrong direction. sources and put the climate emergency at the top of every Some of the worst effects of the pandemic shutdown agenda going forward. are only now showing up: just as most laid-off workers’ Of all of these, most urgent is the call to make unemployment comes to an end, there are millions elections accessible and fair. The roots of the current of families whose electric and gas turn off notices crises are deep and ancient, but right now the most were suspended; there are hundreds of thousands of strategic remedy is to remove from the White House foreclosures and rental evictions that have been on hold; what one scholar of authoritarian regimes has accurately there are tens of thousands of students who will not be labeled "a transnational crime syndicate masquerading able to return to college, much less pay their student debt; as a government". Those bad actors are by now on the there are millions more who lost employer-subsidized defensive, but being cornered only makes them more health insurance when they lost their jobs. And any dangerous. of those families unlucky enough to have been hit by If the different strands of the movement for justice COVID-19 are facing astronomical hospital bills. are ever going to agree on one thing, it has to be this: No wonder people are raging in the streets. mobilizing the rage and creative energy unleashed in this Yet despite the sheer size of the current uprising and moment to Get Out The Vote. Only a landslide rejection the very real gains already won, there’s no guarantee of the current administration will be enough to secure a this new movement for racial and economic justice will new foundation for democracy in this country. succeed in taking full advantage of what all agree is a There are real challenges to unity. The global rise major political and cultural inflection point. How many of the authoritarian right requires that the left and times in just the past decade have pundits decreed that progressive movements will need to get out of their own This Will Change Everything? way, abandoning a style of work that in recent years There are critical choices to be made now by the has confused differences among allies with splitting leaders and participants in these mass movements, one of differences. Labeling, excluding and deplatforming which in particular could decide whether this inflection activists who don’t share the majority view is a recipe for point is truly a tipping point. A conscious strategy of failure. Only principled struggle can forge the solidarity building coalition across many constituencies should be needed to build a coalition big enough to wield real top priority, but there are some sectors of the progressive power. Young activists, who were the majority of those movement still fearful that uniting will cost them control who turned out in the streets to demand racial justice, of their brand, or access to donors, or credibility, or need to acknowledge that previous generations’ strategies something. But at this point there is no real way forward and organizations did not fail but were defeated. Older except together. It has never been so clear, to so many activists need to welcome new leaders and make people, that racism, poverty and violence are inextricably collaboration real, demonstrating that we make the road connected and can only be eliminated by uprooting the to unity by walking together. systems and institutions that allow these plagues to run This next period will not always move as fast as this rampant. We really are all in this together. spring, but with commitment and persistence and unity That’s where the active participation of individuals the cause of economic and racial justice, as well as the is key — not just by marching in the streets, but every preservation of our planet, can be accomplished. As teen day, as members and supporters of organizations that climate activist Greta Thunberg said recently, “Doing prioritize coalition. With COVID-19 still keeping many our best is no longer good enough. We must now do the people at home, the power of old-fashioned organizing is seemingly impossible.” potentially decisive. Using phone calls, teleconferences The people are ready. Trust the people. and letter writing, this reserve army of the poor and working class can raise and amplify the demands for — Mimi Morris COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 13 HONORED COMFEST VOLUNTEER Bill Kurzenberger Bill Kurzenberger arrived in Columbus in 1994 and improve our community simply by living by these attended his first ComFest in 1995. As a musician, Bill principles. One of his favorite quotes is from Gene played his first ComFest in 2001 and has performed at Rodenberry “the needs of the many out weighs the needs one stage or another since then with a variety of bands. of the few.” Bill believes that ComFest is the embodiment He was approached by Lee Bass a couple of years later of that philosophy and that “all time spent on the festival and asked to volunteer. And what a volunteer he has is valuable and reinforces the community and philosophy become! of selflessness.” Since 2005 Bill has been stage His commitment to ComFest is crew and stage manager for both evidenced by his desire to put on a Bozo and Gazebo stages, as well Virtual ComFest in this pandemic as stage supervisor and stage head year. After learning that he had been for the Gazebo stage. Pretty head-y nominated as an honored volunteer, stuff, right? But he has done more; Bill dedicated himself fully to creating joining the Tech committee in 2019 the first Virtual festival. He felt this is and this year becoming the Director his way to give back the honor to the of Virtual ComFest – though he people. prefers the term facilitator. It is that Bill always talks about the thought that brings us to the heart Community Festival in the female. He of why Bill is an honored volunteer feels that ComFest is the “Daughter - his connection and commitment of Mother Earth” and an earth natural to ComFest and “the synergy that is event. Those that attend have the attainable when taking the ‘I’ out of the equation” speaks “opportunity to break the bubble from the inside and to exactly who Bill is and why he works so hard to bring experience different cultures, opinion, music, community the Community Festival to life. organizations and workshops.” He feels that the “cultural To talk to Bill about ComFest is to be invited to variety” is one of the things that makes ComFest unique. view the festival through joyful eyes. His excitement is According to Bill we should “Live everyday the ComFest contagious. Bill believes in the Statement of Principles way.” and strives to help others see what can be done to — Kitty Horan

HOW TO APPLY Would you like to entertain, perform, demonstrate, teach, or give a workshop at Community Festival? Go to comfest.com and fill out a performer application, which will be available online for ComFest 2021 on July 1, 2020. The deadline to return them is March 15, 2021. Earlier application gives us more time to get to know you or check out your performance. 14 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM HONORED COMMUNITY ACTIVIST Jen Miller Jen Miller has a voice – and she uses it to bring “She is one of the most charming advocates of people together. As Executive Director of League all people that I’ve ever known,” says Megan Palmer, of Women Voters of Ohio, she works tirelessly as a singer-songwriter and palliative care nurse, who met nonpartisan advocate to engage diverse voices in the Miller at Capital. The two friends became roommates political process. “My job is to stand up for every voter and frequently performed together. “[Jen has] always in Ohio,” says Miller, who encourages Ohioans to vote been someone who is thinking about people who are and become advocates on the issues they care about. going through challenging times that may be less “The most sacred part of my fortunate,” she adds. “Whatever work is defending democracy itself,” is going on, she is going to be the she says. Miller works to protect all person to mobilize, she’ll make the people – including individuals with phone calls - she will make it all disabilities, new citizens, and people happen,” Palmer says. who do not have access to reliable Having a reputation as a hard transportation. “My job is to think worker, Miller was awarded a full about every voter and make sure that scholarship at Ohio State’s John they have access to the ballot and Glenn School of Public Affairs, make sure that voting systems are where she earned a Master's secure and fair,” Jen says. in Arts Policy, Education and Prior to her current role, Miller Administration. In the past two was Executive Director of Sierra years, she has traveled to over 60 Club Ohio, and she continues to Ohio counties representing League support environmental protections of Women Voters and includes for Ohio’s public lands and serves music in her presentations. “I might many diverse organizations and sing an old protest song or spiritual committees, including Ohio’s as part of my speeches to inspire 19th Amendment Centennial people,” she says. Commission. Miller also worked for the Since college, Jen has worked Photo by Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times King Arts Complex where she extensively with the Native helped establish the Heritage American community to bring awareness to social justice Concert Series. She also volunteers with ComFest’s issues and Indigenous rights. Miller earned Bachelor’s Entertainment Committee. Jen has performed with some degrees in Vocal Music and History and Ethnic Studies of Columbus’s finest musicians and some of her dearest at Capital University and began to advocate for the friends. “Jazz is the best of the United States,” Miller protection of Columbus Native American sacred lands. says, “Jazz is all about diverse cultures coming together Shelly Corbin, a member of the Cheyenne River as an incredible art form.” Sioux Tribe, met Miller at a 2016 rally protesting the As a mother, an artist, a defender of the democratic Dakota Access Pipeline at Ohio State University. Corbin process, and an advocate of all voices, ComFest is represents Sierra Club’s Beyond Dirty Fuels Campaign. honored to recognize the work of Jen Miller. “It is an absolute privilege to work beside her,” Corbin . says, “She has been a facilitator and an immense help,” — Shanna Harrell and notes that Miller is able to see connections within the environment while maintaining an awareness of diversity and equity. “[Jen] makes space for us to be at the table or opening up dialogue,” she says, “She has that ability to bring everyone together.” COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 15 HONORED COMMUNITY ACTIVIST Mia Santiago It’s a dramatic photo. continue their efforts to organize, mobilize and educate. Even in a turbulent, violent and heartbreaking year “It’s often hard to tell the impacts of these actions,” with many of them, it’s an unsettling image. It’s not from Mia said. “But there is so much great work being done Minneapolis, or Washington D.C., or Atlanta. It’s from by so many; activism itself can be encouraging.” right here in Columbus, Ohio. Mia grew up in Chicago, graduated from Columbia The photograph is of an African-American protester University and came to Columbus to pursue a Master’s being dragged from an expensive event by Columbus of Fine Arts (MFA) in non-fiction writing at The Ohio police officers. An event, for which they purchased State University. tickets to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin “I’ve kind of always been political and drawn to Luther King, Jr. The incident on January 20 now seems organizing and protesting,” they said. “When I was prescient of a year of police violence against African- younger I got involved in queer issues and the Occupy Americans, nationwide protests and a movement.” national reckoning about who we really are In New York City during college, they in these United States in 2020. became involved with Student Worker The demonstrator in the photo is Mia Solidarity efforts and in protest movements Santiago. They, along with Dkeama Alexis, that emerged after Eric Garner was choked to from the Columbus Freedom Coalition death during a police encounter. (CFC), interrupted remarks by Columbus In Columbus, Mia became involved in Mayor Andrew Ginther at the carefully CFC and the Black Queer & Intersectional choreographed breakfast event. They were Collective. Both organizations seek to end all protesting in memory of Julius Tate, Jr. In forms of state-sanctioned violence and build December, 2018, 16-year-old Tate, Jr., was a world without police or prisons. shot and killed by a Columbus SWAT officer “I’ve never felt as fulfilled as I do when during an undercover investigation. I devote my time to organizing,” Mia says. Both protesters were dragged out of the The aggressive action taken against event, taken into custody and charged with Mia at the breakfast celebrating Martin criminal trespassing. Charges were finally dropped on Luther King, Jr., a protester and advocate of disorder, June 4. as 2020 began seems far off amid today’s protests and That singular act exposed a community’s hypocrisy, the demands for transformation. But their singular act resulted in a CFC meeting with the Mayor, and likely offers hope for achieving goals that were unthinkable six caused some introspection by people who are supposed months ago. to be leading around here. “I have been so impressed by Mia's bravery, “I know Mia as a soft-spoken person with a gentle resilience, and drive to keep working for change,” says effect, but there is nothing gentle about Mia's activism or Peterman. “Their work exemplifies the spirit of Comfest the way they were dragged out of that MLK breakfast,” by showing perseverance and dedication to social says community activist and ComFest organizer Kaitlin justice.” Peterman. Reflecting on their efforts and these challenging “It forced the people at that breakfast to confront times, Mia is optimistic. their own racism and hypocrisy and own the fact that “If each one of us is able to inspire some positive not a single one of them was willing to stand up for the radical action in another, our movement will be Black people who were dragged out that day. Mia kept unstoppable, they said. “Collectively we wield incredible getting back out there to make their voice heard,” adds power.” Peterman. ComFest is proud to recognize Mia Santiago as If meaningful change results, then Mia Santiago’s 2020’s Honored Community Activist.. action and ordeal that January day will have had a major — Marty Stutz impact. If meaningful change is stalled again, Mia will 16 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM COMFEST HONORED ARTIST Wally Mitchel To watch Wally Mitchel play drums is a Zen and how much it has grown “because ComFest’s experience. He is a master of the sticks with the core values of peace and harmony hold up.” He focus and intensity of a Buddhist monk creating a says he enjoys seeing peaceful people from “all sand mandala, and like sand paintings even after over the world” and he looks forward to “catching they are swept away, the complex dimensions of up with old pals at the festival.” With special Wally’s music remain with the listener. Dubbed appreciation for their friendships, Wally mentions “The East Side Kid” by fellow jazz musician and Don Pavelchek, aka “The Pope” (d.1999) and bandmate Joe Diamond (d.2010), Wally grew up Krista “Kitty” Williams. Krista was instrumental in a musical family. His in growing the I Wish You grandmother played Jazz area from a tent to its piano and his father as a current location at Goodale child sang and danced and Park Streets. Wally also from a flatbed truck, started and was original soliciting people to drummer for Circus of buy War Bonds. His Cool; Krista also worked parents were multi- with him on the project. instrumentalists. Wally Wally is in good began playing piano, health at 80 and braves the then horn, and by 9 pandemic with good spirit. he took up drums, and But he expresses sadness the die was cast. After Photo by Michael Gruber that racism and injustice majoring in music at the persist. He mentions Ohio State University and marching with “the best affectionately the friendship and mentoring damn band in the land” for four years, Wally made he received from Columbus African American Columbus his home and began gigging at Dick’s musicians when he was young. “They encouraged Den. He played with Diamond, Hank Marr, Rusty me and helped me feel comfortable playing Bryant, and many other jazz names. anywhere,” he says. He still enjoys playing at the Wally eventually was offered a Deck’s Den festival for old fans and new, and he hopes people Residency where he played with local jazz greats in will tune into Virtual ComFest this year. some interesting combos. He was also the drummer Wally Mitchel is a helluva jazz drummer, a for the house band at The Lincoln Café Saturday skilled artist, and a really good guy. He is beloved night jazz jams and continued to play with some of by fellow musicians and fans alike; like all great the finest, including the late, great saxophonist Gene drummers, he is a good listener. It is reflected in Walker (d.2014). Every Sunday night for decades his drumming and his demeanor; he is courteous Wally has played with younger jazz musicians, and mindful and a generous teacher by example including Matt Paetsch, bassist and co-leader of The (“practice every day and enjoy it”). Wally Mitchel Band. He took as many as three bus ComFest is proud to make him Honored Artist trips to haul his equipment to Dick’s Den. 2020. Wally played his first ComFest in 1975 and has rarely missed a festival since. That makes — Michael Doody him ComFest family. He recalls how small it was COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 17 HONORED COMFEST VOLUNTEER Curtis Schieber Curtis Schieber is a treasure trove of ComFest entire weekend, one of the muggiest, hottest festival information and experience. His first Community on record. He says he had to learn how to drink Festival experiences were in 1975 and 1976 and water instead of beer, to stay hydrated. he has attended every year since then but one, in a Over time, the Entertainment committee formed variety of roles. He loved the feeling of community roving supervisors to help work the stages, and Curt the festival provided, which really hit home worked with them, mentoring. Soon Curt decided during the parking lot years when he and others to narrow his focus, working a show Saturday and spread mulch on the ground to protect it from rain Sunday mornings, now it is just Sunday mornings. and people dancing on it. In the meantime, Curt spread his “The thing is,” he laughs, talents to the Program Guide, “everybody was wearing writing essays for years. Yet, he sandals, and the mulch kept still has to remind people that his getting between their toes. A name is pronounced “She-ber not disaster.” But the feeling of Shi-ber”. Schieber is a German community endured. name, so the second vowel is From then on, things pronounced, not the first. fell into his lap, he says. He Reinvention has been at the worked as stage hand for soul of Curt’s career, a process years, growing and learning of learning on the job. Curt’s under the guidance of Don interest in music led him to Pavelcik at the Jazz Stage. At own and operate School Kids one point, he stepped in as Records, a record store in musician, playing sousaphone Columbus. This lead to writing with Skrall. Personally, he was music reviews of local bands producing shows at ‘Staches, and records. He wrote reviews he wrote music reviews for and essays for Columbus Alive, local papers. All of which The Guardian, and the Dispatch. helped in his stage managing. This opened the doors to doing His favorite ComFest moment was working a radio show on CD101 for 29 years, broadcasting Bozo Stage one year as a storm approached. A Sunday nights at 9:00. He wrote and published a torrential downpour hit the festival and one band book, Columbus Beer, a history of brewing beer cancelled. There was ½ inch of water on the stage. in Columbus (well written!) and he was a record Curt says Watershed was next up, and they decided producer, under the clever title No Other Records. to play. Singing and splashing water everywhere, The whole time, Curt was a constant presence at but careful not to touch the electronics, Watershed each festival, working behind the scenes, learning played on. how to get things done, getting things done. This inspired Curt to do more for the festival. We are extremely grateful to Curt for all of He worked 4 shifts throughout a weekend some his years of volunteering, nurturing, and growing years. The way he did things influenced the logistics ComFest. of the Jazz Stage, which was copied by other stages. At the 2000 festival, Curt managed the stage for the — Jonathan Johns 18 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM Thanks To Our Amazing 2019 ComFest Volunteers Mayfield, Kyle Mcclafferty, Hope Mcgonigle, Nick Mckinney, Sarah Mcvicker, Kelly Archive/Museum: Steve Abbott, W.E. Arnold, Beth Baird, Andy Basista, Meyer, Blake Miller, Tessa Miller, Valerie Montgomery, Malcolm Montoney , Timothy Cortney Brown, Richard Carr, Rob Cohen, Larry Davis, Earnest Dillard, Roger Doyle, Montoney , Gary Morkassel, Robyn Moroz, Lisa Much, Miyako Munakata , Amanda Matt Ellis, Wayne Ellyson, Scott Heffner, Faye Herskovits, Deshawn Isaac, Chester Muncy, Damarcus Nelson, Andrew Newell, Bradley Newkirk, Michael Nichols , Liam Kresiak, Fred Lappert, Erie Meyer, Tom Meyer, Emily Morgan, Kami Myers, Trina O’connor, Robyn O’day4, Don Omalley, Charlotte Owens, Elizabeth Pagano, Lili-mae Oconnor, Aaron Paulley, Tevon Porter, Ian Powell, Eric Ray, Ebony Rozzelle, Kamaya Parker, John Pashke, John Paulson, Corrie Pieterson, Kasha Planck, Andrea Popkie, Rozzelle-daniels, Amanda Shugert, Samantha Tibbetts, Kimo Tichgelaar, Sophia Wang, Julie Porr, Emma Potter, Maggie Potter, Michael Preston, Dawan Pulce, Jovita Drew Washekr Purqueras, Blondia Pyfrom, Nadja Ramos, Jason Redinger , Forrest Reed, George Reed, Mattie Reitman, Duane Richardson, Nathan Riggens, Rachel Rowen, Ebony Bike Corral:  Thomas Babb, John Bannon, Rozzelle, Kamaya Rozzelle-daniels, Chris Ruiz, Chris Benedetti , Tanya Bils,Hobbs Boots, Britt Samantha Rundell, Kimberly Russell, Takanori Butler, Jack Butler, Matt Cline, Brian Cooperider, Sakurai, Kristopher Sanders, Isaac Sarton, Matt Keiffer Erdmann, Jared Finchum, Esther Flatto Scavo, Meredith Schilling, Adrianne Seemann, , Alex Gallegos, Jennifer Gibson, Edward Hara, Tracy Semanski, Alan Sexton, Latandra Shepherd, Rebecca Henry, Emma Hite, Benjamin Houck, Chris Skalski, Mike Smith, Shannon Snapp, Susan m James, Ana Kabakova, Jeffrey Katz , Jay Heather Southwick, Scott Spira, Heather Splain, Keyarts, Benjamin Kile, Deanne Krouse, Maggie John Splain, Jennifer Stacy, John Stacy, Kyle Stock, Mahoney, Peri Mcdougle, Pamela Mcgough, Julie Andrew Stoner, Bea Straughter , Amber Thompson, ann Mckinney, Dan Montour , Ellie Murphy, Alex Melissa Thompson, Kevin Tibbs, Michael Valles, Oliszewski, Brian Pace, Emily Patterson, Brian Matthew Vanorder, Sophia Wang, Matt Ward, Brock Perkins, Amy Planchet, Jason Poindexter, Ben Weinstein, Susan Wendt, Amy Weyand, Sara Rapson, Chris Rapson, Cindy e Rapson, Ernie Wheeler, Alisha Winslow, Brad Wintersteen, David Rapson, Teddy Reese, Joy Robinson, Isaac Sarton, Wright, The Zeppelin, Dayne Zinser, Melanie Zinser Eric Schafer, Adam Schirtzinger, Steave Scott, Rick Shears, Scott Shiveley, Sherri Sims, Jayme ComFest Merch:  Janet Adams, Alyssa Snuggles, Cherie Snyder, Whitney Thompson , Alcorn, Frederick Apolonio, Jericho Betton, Scott Heidi Vanderpool, Nathan Wallace, Stephen Woods, Blodgett, Jack Buckingham, Joseph Calmer, Gretel Young Giavanna Cantelmo, Josie Cantelmo, Maria Cantelmo, Sarah Carruthers, Kerra Carson, Clean Up Recycling:  Aden William Casino, Roberto Cervantes, Ricky Dixon , Mary Donaldson, Michael Dorgan, Deb Eckstrom, Abdille, Colin Adams, Adam Albers, Maureen Tina Eisenbrandt, Sue Esh, Betsy Feuer, Jared Alley, Lisa Lea Allshouse, Elisa Amari, Lauren Finchum, Laurie frank Gang, Arturo Garcia, Babette Archer, Nitin Arora, Lorena Asadi, Elizabeth Gorman, Josh Greif, Ria Greiff, Karin Henderson, Austin, Nick Babika, Lee Bailey, Jeremy Baker, Photo by Michael Weber Faye Herskovits, Beth Hicks, Stephen Hicks, Drew Patrick Barnacle, Zachary Barnes, William Barney, Hilinski, Matt Hilinski, Tom House, Richard Hurni, Beaann Bedford, Adian Bias, Mark Bias, Melinda Bizones, Evan Botkin, Stephanie Taylor Jackson, Bharati Jayanthi, Natasha Johnson, Botkin, Victoria Bowman, Angel Boyer, Karen Bradford, Kerri Brand, Owen Brand, Sarah Jordan, Jan Kinney, Leslie Klevay, Inessa Koehler, Tina Krempasky, Craig Laura Brewer, Bill Brill, Gray Brooks, Brian Brumfield, Sarah Bunch, Don Burkey, Kullik, Sierra Lacy, Terri Latourelle, Deborah Lefman, Roger Long, Latoya Louis, Sean Karen Burkey, Rayleigh Burton, Brandon Carter, Kayla Carter, Marcina Carter, Laura Lunsford sr , Shandale Mayo, Paula Mccoy , Erin Mcgovern, Gail Meese, Makenzie Chavis, Joshua Clark, Joe Cleary, Michel Coconis, Nate Coffman, Bethany Combs, Mills, Megan Moriarty, Sharon Morton, Lisa Much, Catherine Nelson, Caryn Neumann, Dina Combs, Pam Combs, Megan Conaway, Craven Craven, Melissa Curtis, Abby Peyton Nichols, Sarah Patrick, Frank Phillips, Julie Pinsonneault, Kaye Platte, Nathan Davies, Kyle Davis, Derek Dehart, Coady Dirutigliano, Nick Dirutigliano, Ricky Dixon Prunty, Tiffany Ramos, Mary Rathke, Saraya Record, Robert Reilly, Tammy Roberts, , Alan Dondanville, Kathy Doss, Matt Doss, Thomas Dotson, Kyle Downs, Yang Du, Rina Rotolo, Kimberly Russell, Dustin Salter, Bobbie Satterfield, Marty( martha) Nichole Duran, Dominique Eatmon, Karlene Evans, Mitchell Evans, Nickie Evans, Schatmeyer , Christine Sharp-straughter, Alexander Sheets, Jeannie Simmons, Erik Erin Feilen, Jose Feliciano, Lourdes Feliciano, Lisa Figueroa, Carrie Fisherhinkle, Smith, Joel Speyer, Heather Stabler, Lynn Stan, Ashley Taft, Tom Taylor, Daniela Vidal, Katie Foreman, Alex Fotis, Betty Frazier, James Frazier, Brian Fridenmaker, Kathy Clayton White, Kelana Williams, Diane Woods, Mary ann Yohosmith, Heather Ziegler Frye, Ryan Garza, Laura Gehres, Stephanie Gehres, Johneesha Glass, Kelsey Graf, Devon Gravette, Robert Greer, Erika Grove, Brent Gugliemotto, Ashley Hale, Amanda Entertainment: . Allison A., Dale Akula, Rajeev Alahari, Marc Archuleta, Ben Hall, David Hall , Tom Hamilton, Jennifer Hammel, Brock Harbolt, Maureen Harbolt, Arnoold, Tim attrell Attrell, Jeremy Baker, Deirdre Barrington, Patrick Begley, Beth Scott Hare, Laura Herrold, Mari Hiemstra, Charlene Hopkins, Olivia Horlocker, Suzie Bennett, Love Benton, Jennifer Blix, Brianna Bookman, Deborah Bowers-wilson, Lu Horlocker, Bettina Hughes, Chihiro Inoue, Kierra Jamison, Nancy Jesser , Sam Johns, Brammer, Christopher Brown, Tj Brown, Alex Browning, Scott Brubach, Roberto Bryer, David Johnson, Simiya Johnson-hunter, Alexandria Kalika, Jay Keyarts, Scott Kidd, Jeanne Budde, Mike Busch, Stevie Cade, Tony Cantelmo, Paul Carney, Cole Carroll, Adam Kline, Joel Knepp, Emily Kriss, Ben Krongauz, Michael Laflamme, Jennifer Joshua Carter, Dakota Carullo, Danny Cashin, Ted Chaney, Banfield Charles, Joel Landau, Alia Lattimore, Kevin Lauterbach, Cassie Lewis, Beth Long, Anthony Long , Chastain, Tim Chavez, Cathryn Chuey, Jason Cicola, Brian Clash, Eric Clemens, Russ William Lyons, Gabriel Mann, Tyler Marcus, Nicholas Marko, Matthew Marsh, Channie Coffman, Gabe Condo, Lynnette Cook, Andrew Cooney, Jason Cotton, Sasha Cowart, COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 19

Andrea Craig, Kim Crawford, Michael Cundiff, Bryan Curtiss, Bruce Dadisman, Andrew Jack Gabalski, James Gallagher, Stephanie Garcia, Atticus Garden, Jen Garner, Davis, Bhas Davis, Dustin Davis, Jeff Davis, Katie Davis, Galen Deak, Orion Difranco, Zachariah Gorman, Henry Gorsuch, Daniel Granite, Jenna Groezinger, Sarah Haag, Stephen Dodge, Steve Dodge, Jon Dowers, Jonathan Dowers, John Downard, Matthew Tossiah Haynes, Vickie Himmelman, Jessy Holmes, Taylor Hylinski, Sarah Ivancic, Draudt, Charlene Dubin, Margot Edge, Trevor Edge, Kristen Elliott, Nathan Emond, Alex Tammy Jackson, Ann Kemble, Gregory Kinney, Jenni Kristoff, Jim Krupp, Melissa Le Esselstein, Lucas Esterline , Mel Feinberg, Robert Ferguson , Roy Fish, Randy Fleming, roux, Casey Lowery , Mckaileah Lykes, Brian Mathess, Mandi Mauck, Terry May, Justin Mike Folker, Jeni Ford, Jim Fowler, Rebekah Fox, Ron Freeman, Evan Fuller, Veronica Mcfadden, Brad Mcneil, Brad Mcneil , Lois Miller, Ketki Mougey, Lyndzi Murphy, Kami Gardner , Kevin Glassco, Jamie Goldsberry, Jen Goldsberry, Bean Gonzalez , Kristin Myers, Beth Nicola, Megan Novotny, Scott Oman, Montana Osler, Lili-mae Parker, Jose Gramza, Tony Gregorc, Scott Hare, Jason Harris, Troy anthony Harris, Steve Heink, Parra, Phil Pemberton, Natalie Poindexter, Dwayne Potts, Mary Rathke, Amy Renock, Blake Herschler , Travis Hoewischer, Toshia Hogan, Ryan Horns, Andrew Hull, Kim Jeff Reynolds, Katie Ries, Shannon Riley, Rebecca Rings, Marvin Robertson, Liz Rossi, Huth, James Hutter, Katanya Ingram , Michael Irwin, Vijay Jat, Steven Jones, Michelle Na’tasha Sams, Mindy Schroeder, Angi Seals, John Shade, Sharice Smith, Brionne Katona, Scott Kidd, Greg Kilcup, Gabor Klein, Paul Koehler, Samuel dodge Koppert, Bill Spry, Stephanie Thompson, Jennifer Tincher, Kristine Usselman, Christina Veite, Kurzenberger, Andy Kuss, Sonia Ladjadj, Bart Lambert, Elizabeth Landrigan, Michael Tatanisha Wade, Mary Wehrle, Debbie Whitt, Michelle Wilcox, Joy Williams, Miranda Lanning, Tommy Lee, Ralph Leeseberg , Lily Lu, Preston Lynch, Meghna Mahambrey, Yoder, Robert Young, Jacqueline Yurkoski, Nicole Zahrndt, Stephanie Zinkhon Mondo Marroquin, Steven Marsh, Liz Martin, Damon May, Mark Mayes, Megan Mcclung, Darryl Mendelson, Justin Metz, Anna Meyer, Brandon Middleton , David Miller, Jen Miller, Food Fairies:  Colin Adams, Elisa Amari, Robert Ayala, Maddie Berry, Melinda Kevin Miller, Jason Montgomery, Kristi Bizones, Tim Brown, Keri Burgoon, Moore, Steve Moore, Tony Moore, Sarah Carruthers, Jamie Claxton, Bob Warner Moore, Pete Morales, Aleysha Cope, Gina Cristofani, Lori Davis , Morales , Brad Morgan, Brett Morris, Sully Gerdeman, Jeff Gondek, Cynthia Lyndzi Murphy, Eric Nassau, Diane Hempy, Brenda Hosey, Jacob Hutmire, Newberry, Chuck Oney, Dan Pace, Charlie Kall, Jacqueline Kelley, Andi Claressa Page, Paolucci Paolucci, Lewis, Eloy Martinez, Gary Pandora, Nikole Patson, Wilking Paulino, Larry Evan Pond, Joyce Rice, Kamaya Pike, Andy Prehm, Dope Prezz, Rozzelle-daniels, Jessica Smith , Dan Rako, Dustin Rees, Michael Micah Stromsoe delorenzo, Deirdre Renner, Joyce Rice, Johnny Riddle, Tobin Jenny Riegler, Tammy Roberts, Paula Robinett, Paul Robinson, Kate Curry da Souza; Ann Helena Rose, Jeff Rosenbloom, Rich Grants: Kemble, Jim Irwin, Julialynne Walker, Ruenzi, Kaylyn Russell, Les Rutland, Kitty Horan, Loyce Theesfeld, Marty Russell Satori, Matt Scavo, Schear Stutz Schaer, Ed Schiebel, Curt Schieber, Michael Schiller, David Schmidt, Micah Schnabel, Amy Schocken, Information Station/ Lou Schocken, Charles Sealy, Ben Sharper, Nathan Shoup, Bec Silveous, Photo by Michael Gruber Volunteer:  Tonja Aleshire, Kelly Slone, Ernest Smith, Jahrie Smith, Andy Basista, Susan Donley, Patricia Jonathan Southworth, Austin Spears, Jennifer Stelling, Amy Strawser, Nick Sudimack, Fluellen, Joe George, Mary louise Hawkins, Wendy Haynes, Denyse Hemsley, Brenda Michael Swift, Patricia Swimgle, Stephen Takacs, Val-christopher Tekaucic, Jay Tharp, Hosey, Pam Hunt, Ryan Kimberling, Candida Kingery-redman , Megan Lusk, Courtnee Jeff Tobin, Michael Tom, Carlos Torres, John Turck, Paige Vandiver, Mark Vetter, John Mueller, Alan Ramey, Daniel Ross, Nicole Saavedra, Bethany Sanders, Matt Scavo, Joy Vince, Vince Vohnout, Dustin Wade, Carole Walker, Debbie Walther, Casey Ward, Scott, Rosalyn (roxy) Scruton, Thomas Seelbach, John Vince, Moniqua Wallace, Ryan Kathy Warfield , Chloe Welch, Chris Westra, Chris White, Eliza Whitling, Geoff Wilcox, Wise, Bruce Wylie, Sandy Wylie, Caitlin Yahr Brandie Williams, Krista Williams, Matthew Wolf, Sean Woosley, Brian Yarbrough KiDSART: Megan DeLaurentis, T-shirt logo contest winner: Kama Ramsey, MCs:  Troy Anthony-Harris, Michael Aaron, Anthony Andrews, Christopher Appel, Performers: Craig Woodson of the Craig Woodson World Orchestra, Michael the LaLa Baker, Annie Bee, Dorica Benson, Isaiah Boyd, Walter Brewer, Mimi Chenfield, Storyteller, Flavor’d Flow Studio, Columbus Red Diamond Drill Team, Open Heart Jevon Collins, Kate Curry Da Souza, Bryan Curtis, Sammy Dodge, Michael Doody, Creatures, Tantalizing Tigers Hula Hoop Team, Vanessa Prentice, Koguryo Martial Arts Roger Doyle, Sarai Veronique Exil, Harry Farkas, Bill Finzel, Shawn Gray, Ria Greiff, Academy – Black Tigers, Joanie Calem, Volunteers: Stella Able, Hudson Anderton, Alina David Harewood, Travis Irvine, Jim Irwin, Abhilasha Jayanthi, “Wild Jon”Krista Kitty, Batczak, Lois Beoughen, Brett Bivins, David Breithaupt, Sarah Brocker, Oakwood Brown, Leah Lambert, Kevin Mack, Randy Malloy, Jon McKnight, Mimi Morris, William Mount, Siarra Brown, Jordan Buell, Camden Burris, Cloe Burris, Jessica Burton, Aaron Campbell, Izetta Nicole, Betsy Pandora, Alexis Perrone, Jan Phillips, Tom Plute, Jessica Roach, Tiffany Carson, Antonio Clark, Leon Coleman, Michelle Coneglio, Jordan Daniels, Jim Johnny Riddle, Rev. Joe Sabo, Mikelle Smith, Garrett Snipes, TJ Steppe, Jill Triplestep, DeLaurentis, Daria DeNoia, Papa Dia, Martha Dodge, Savannah Dunn, Lisa Dupler, Dee James Wagner, Michael Weber, Nicole Williams, Chelsea Wintzer, Nikki Wonder Edwards, Violet Elswick, Willa Elswick, Diana Emrick, Ava Emrick, Ella Emrick, Adrianna Gissendaner, Delia Grantham, Katie Grantham, Isaiah Hamlin, Shelby and Jackson First Aid:  Alexander Aly, Hannah Amick, Frederick Apolonio, April Bainter, Harrison, Tre’von Haynes, Carissa Hershel, Marlena Holt, Griffin Hughes, Darryl Johnson, Jenny Bell, Elizabeth Braithwiate, Jerry Brooks, Herbert Buckel, Jeni Bynes, Chikako Erica Johnson, Kennedy Johnson, “Ajacks” Jackson-Matu, Elizabeth Kraska, Josephine C, Douglas Calem, Dennis Carlson, Dawn Chapman, Keanna Chatman, Lisa Coleman, Kraska, Kevin Kraska, Desirae Littlejohn, Jordyn Lopez, Sharleia Lyles, Edee Malley, Finn David Docktor, Paula Durbin, Jason Edwards, Wendy Everett, Alex Fasuled, Robert Malley, Madison Mancilla, Karmen Mancilla, Michael Mancilla, Eric Marlow, Joseph May, Ferguson, *Bill* Finzel, Matt Flanigan, Holly Freeman, Michael Froehle, Mark Furuhashi, Marlaina Miller, Eileen Motok, Isla Murden, Jeffrey Niday, Michael Oberdier, Sergio Orozgo, Linda Peltomaa, Tim Pitts, Tyeisha Porter, Marie Prentice, Renee Puska, Timothy Reis, 20 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM ComFest Can't Happen Without Volunteers Anthony Richardson, CeCe Roberts, Quante Rosvanis, Ebony Rozelle, Elias Rozelle, Herbeck, Susan Herczeg, Brenda Herman, Stephen Hicks, Michael Higgins, Gordon Isaiah Rozelle, Israel Rozelle, Kamaya Rozelle, Maya Rozelle, Quintin Rozzelle, Rayshad Hobson, Lisa Hobson, Amanda Hogan, Dave Holland, Steven Holley, John Holmes, Rozelle, Helena Roussi, Jada Sidoti, Madison Smith, Corrissa Spence, Destiny Stallings, Charlene Hopkins, Kitty Horan, Matt Hornberger, Benjamin Houck, Jen House, Morgan Tamara, Steven Trent, Asya Tucker, Bill Vokas, David Vokas, Forest Vokas, Hailey Vokas, Hoxworth, Kristina Hoyer, Eric Hubbell, Trixie Hubbell, Angelo Huerte, Heather Huffman, Fiona Wherry, Jauquaila Williams, Jarred Willis, Adam Wolters, Kathy Wright, Courtney Sara Hunter, Beth Hurst, Nikki Imbrogno, Clay Irwin, Raveen Ivery, Debra Jackson, Yoder, Christina Yoh, Kristy Yonyon, Nicole Zahrndt Derek Jackson, Laura Jaketic, Keith Jasinski, Yalande Jeffries, Maja Jera, Jason Johns, Sam Johns, Autumn Johnson, Emily Johnson, Elizabeth Jones, Wendy Jones, Libations: Dawn Ace, Arya Acier, Darcy Acier-cass, Christina Alicardi, Matthew Matt Jorgenson, Lisa Juckett, Amy Karnes, Jason Kay, Harry Kearns, Bob Keen, Cats Alicardi, Diane Allen, Tracy Allen, Caleea Alls, Blair Ames, Emily Anderson, Anthony Keen, Sam Keen, Jordan Keiser, Kaylie Kellenbarger, Shannan Keller, Grayson Kelly, Andrews, Carrie Antosz, Matt Antosz , Joel Archibald, George Armstrong, Emily Astorian, Dairdre Kennedy, Kathy Kern, Jamie Kerr, Jen Kin , Robert Kinnan, Annie Kondrot, Lisl David Azusenis, Rahel Babb, April Bainter, Haley Bakies, Erin Ball, Scott Barile, Rikki Kotheimer, Susan Kreis, Tonya Krinks, Jim Krupp, Kimberly Kuhn, Kymberly Kurpuis, Barton, Tishanda Bassett, Nick Bates, Yana Belan, Tim Bell, Grace Bernhard, Kristen Michael Laflamme, Jeff Lambert, Rick Lance, Ariq Lashaun, Andrew Lee, Tigest Lemlem, Berry, Lynne Bieber, Paul Birken, Ann Biron, Thomas Biron, James Blakeslee, Edward Tim Lemmon, Laura Lewis, Matt Lewis, Michael Lewis, Erin Ley, Kris Liard, Crystal Blau, Mike Blenk, Hollie Blevins, Jb Blevins, Rick Blevins, Ariel Bocook, laura Bolte, Link, John Lloyd, Beth Long, Patrick Long, Jen Longacre, Tony Ludovico, Devon Lykins, Hobbs Boots, Cheryl Boschert, Brad Boschert , Tyler Bowlin, Brett Bowlus , Terry Tom Lynch, Jess Maffett, Beth Mallett, Randy Malloy, Gabriel Mann, David Manning, Bowman, Allen Bradley, Kathryn Bradley, Kevin Brammer, Mason Brazelle, Mandy Lora Manning, Karen Manross, Daniel Marcelain, Julie Marsh, Aaron Marshall, Maria Breedlove, Angie Brooks, Delena Marth, Walter Mason, Tony Massara, Brown, August Brunsman, Theresa Jennifer Matteson, Karen Matteson, Bruskin, Hans Buchner, Ryan Josh May, Paul May, Mike Mayoka Buening, David Bumb, Pat Burks, , Robert Mazzaferro, Colin Mcbride, Mason Cajka, Joseph Calmer, Laura Mccabe, Trevor Mccleery, Kris Cannon, Kim Caris, Douglas Megan Mcclung, Jessie Mccoy, Carmack, Jacien Carr, Sarah Nathan Mccullough, Kirk Mcdonald, Carruthers, Greg Cass, Shirley Cass, Dan Mcelroy, Whitney Mcghee, Randy Castle, Nicole Cecil, Brenda Brian Mcgrath, Josh Mcgregor, Chaney, Dawn Chapman, Jeff Megan Mckee, Alison Mckim, Emily Charette, Ning Chen, Ramakrishna Mckisson, Jason Mclaughlin, Jamie Cherukuri, Colleen Clark, Curtis Mehic, Trish Melvin, William Melvin, Clark, Katrina Clark, Mary Clyde, Stacey Menefee, Diane Meves, Kayla Coate, Deshanna Coleman, Julie Mickley, Jeff Miller, Paula Larry Colley, Tamara Collins, Miller, Allison Mills, John Mills, Jonathan Cordray, Erin Corrigan, Ashley Minney, Chip Moats, Carolyn Misti Crane, Emily Crawford, Mary Mockus , Bobbi Moore, Cindy Crawford, Rebecca Craycraft, Kelli Moore, Hannah Moore, Leanne Crispin, Lindsay Cronin, Katelynn Moore, Michele Morris, Amandrea Photo by Michael Gruber Crow, Bryan Curtiss, Matt Cushwa, Mortensen, Sharde Moser, Violet Misty Cushwa, James D mccullars jr, Mowry, Tessie Moynihan, Lisa Much, Harold Davis, Jamar Davis , Lin Dawson, Al Debelak, Jim Deerhake, Dino Degirolamo, Catherine Mueller, Shane Mueller, Shannon Mulroy, Judy Murran, Kraig Myers, Lionel Amy Densborn, Tyler Depo, Kim Deramus, Anthony Deskins, Caterina Difrangia, Erica Naphier, Michelle Narog, Sarah Natoce, Andrew Newell, Bradley Newkirk, Peyton Disher, Michael Dobson, Brian Doegen, Dayna Donahue, James Donovan, John Nichols, Sheri Nordman, Eamon O’brien, Betsy O’brochta, Matt O’donnell, Sarah Dorn, Justin Dortch, Michael Doskocil, Gretchen Douglas, Jeff Dubin, Ray Dudek, O’donnell, Katie O’leary, Ryan O’neil, Erin O’reilly-mazon, Evan Oakley, D’arcy john Mo Dundon, Sandy Dunlap, David Dunn, Kelli Durham, 2e Dyer, Robert Dykes, Krista Oaks, Taylor Oberst, Rusty Ortman, Dwight Orwig, Beth Osborn, Bob Osborn, Eleanor Edington, Marsha Edwards, Elizabeth Egbert, Melinda Egbert, Katie Eisel, Rick Elder, Pahutski, Gary Pandora, Nikki Pappas, Charlene Peachey, Chartelle Peachey, Frank Kala Elkins, Jason Erskin, Shawn Evanoski, Laura Evert, Ben Fannin, Gaynl Farmer, Phillips, Jonathan Philson , Courtney Piehl, Tricia Pike, Joe Piparo, Tim Pitts, Julie Joyce Fasone, Liza Faulkner, Chelci Fauss-johnson, Amy Fearn, Marshall Fearn, Jess Poeppelman, Jason Poindexter, Susan Porter, Tiffany Prater, Tim Price, Laura Puhl, Fecke, Kat Feresen, Matt Fetters, James Fisher, Jillian Ford, Katie Fort, Cameo Frantz, Jeff Radcliff, David Ramsington, J.r. Ray, Justin (jay) Raymond, Angie Reed, John Reed, Mike Franzoni, Olivia Friend, Robert Friend, Bud Fuller, Bill Gallaer, Debra Gallagher, Kenneth Reed, Gerry Rich, Jan Rich, Cindy Richmond, Steve Richmond, Lisa Ridenour, Kayleigh Gallagher, Sara Garrett, Vanessa Garvin, Kylie George, Mia Gerardi, Ben Mark Ridenour, Dan Riffle, Judy Riffle, Don Ritchey, Mary Ritchey, Bobbie Rose, Liz Gibbons, Cindy Gildersleeve, Debbie Gillum, Diane Gin, Jackie Gleason, Mackenzie Rossi, Linda Rowell, Shawn Rowell, Shawn Rynd, Linda Sabo, Tanya Salyers, Lisa Gleason, Chris Gobeli, Rose Gobeli, Eric Goldman, Jeff Gondek, Missy Gordon, Sams, Bailey Sandin, Isaac Sarton, Stephen Schab, Kendra Schiller, Matthew Schilling, Jarod Gorrell, Stephanie Grabey, Amanda Grace, Chynell Graham, Sheryl Graham, Micki Schmitt, Adam Schock, Jorie Schwartz, Brain Schweickart, Cathy Scott, Peter Gregg Greathouse, Cornell Green, Tom Griffin, Anthony Groeber, Jill Groeniger, Scranton, Angi Seals, Jen Secrest, Tom Sedlock, Sunrita Sen, Jillian Sharkey, Brianna Jenna Groezinger, Josh Groves , Dean Grundei, Rachel Grundei, Morgan Guinn, Sharp, Christine Sharp-straughter, Dan Sheeran, Kandi Sherfy, Rachel Shininger, Jay Amanda Hamilton, Scott Hansan, Regina Hanshaw, Jinit Haria, Terrance Harmon sr, Silva, Amanda Sisia, Ford Sledge, Abigail Smith, Jason Smith, Amanda Smoke, Trina Shope Harper, Jerome Harris, Kate Harris, Shanetta Harris, Troy Anthony Harris, Zack Smoke-mcgrath, Anita Snatch, Amir Sohrabi mollayousef, Melissa Sorrell, Kyle Sowash, Harris, Rick Harrison, Brooke Harshbarger, Seana Hartman, David Hawkins, Jonathan Anne Speakman, Joe Speakman, Sue Speakman, John Paul Sperling, Thursday St Hayes, Rob Hayes, Tommy Heath, Zach Hedrick, Karin Henderson, Joshua Henry, Jim giles, Justin Stauffer, Stephanie Stephens, Tiffany Stephenson, Annie Stevens, Chad COMFEST.COM CVIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 21

Stevens, Kyle Stewart, Jeff Suchy, Nicholas Sudimack , Kevin Sweet, Aaron Syguda, Lindsay Tanner, Jaleesa Taylor, Julie Taylor, Hannah Thaxton, Aaron Theesfeld, Loyce Program:  (staff box page 4) Tonja Aleshire, David Azusenis, Dwain Baer, Ashley Theesfeld, Karen Thomas, Ken Thomas, Derrick Thomas , Marley Thompson, Jennifer Bartnick, Dave Beckman, Gregory Booton, Roberto Cervantes, Lori Coleman, Gianna Tincher, Tony Toller, Joanna Tornes, Don Treadway, Dan Trevas, Kevin Truitt, Benjamin Collins, Jocelyn Curry, Tracy Daly, Charity Eilerman, Allison Ellis, Jeffrey Ellis, Julie Tucker, Tia Tucker, Annie Tullis, Charlotte Tuomaala, Shalonda Turns, Mechelle Vail, Ellis, Charles Fannin, Aaron Frisby, Camden Frisby, Cynthia Hanke, Jeremy Hirschfelt, Emma Van bakel, Lindsey Vanfossen, Diana Vara, Leslie Vazquez, Robyn Victorine, Liza Hoopes, Kitty Horan, Morgan Hoxworth, Page Hunt, Scott Jackson, Kitty Johns, Patti Von niessen, Robert Voyles, Anne Vukcevich, Ian Vukcevich, Bob Waddell, Kelly Johnson, Julie Karlock, Jay Keyarts, Nichole Kline, Sarah Kriebel, Paul Lada, Chuck Wagner, Nate Wakefield, Nathan Wakefield, Jessica Warner, Lisa Warner, Jody Juliette Leukart , Lucy Lucero, Lynda Mcclanahan, John Mckeown, Stephanie Miller, Wasbro, Paul Wasson, Courtney Weber, Debbie Weber, Deirdre Wedig, James Wedig, Mimi Morris, Diana Morrison, Brenda O’herron, Betsy Obrochta, Eric Peters, Corrie Joe Weiler, Jonathan Welch, Carrie Weld, Nikki Westfall, Derrick White, Matia White, Pieterson, Allyson Pitts, Vanessa Prentice, Courtney Riley, Alan Sheppard, Heather Nalea Whiting-cobb, Kathy Whitt, Brandon Wichers, Kryssi Wichers, James Williams, Soha, Maki Sonezaki, Jackie Stanton, Jaimie Striff, Robin Swanson, Melanie Travers, Krista Williams, Morgan Wills, Kyle Wilson, Timyra Wilson, Phil Winkelmann, Nancy Amy Turn sharp , Grace Wallace, Michael Weber, Elise White, V White, Brian Williams, Withers, Ralph Wolfe, Amanda Woods, Denyse Woods, Stephanie Woodward , Jen Wilming Yee Wooster, Elizabeth Workman, Crystal Wright, Wilming Yee, Shelby Young , Jingyi Yu, Derek Zack, William Zeng, Ting Zhouu Safety:  Shea Adams, Jeffry Alexander, George Armstrong, Mark Baller, Charlotte Bark, Lindsay Barrie, Nick Bates, Baryl Baylis, Jordan Bernas, Paul Birken, Anne Blankestyn, Logistics: Short North Civic Association, Friends Of Goodale Park, Short North David Blankestyn, Rick Blevins, Devanne Bradley, Thom Brainard, Scott Brooks, Alliance, Victorian Village Commission, Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Kevin Friend, All David Browning, Joseph Bryant, Sarah Bunch, Joseph Burch, Brendan Burke, David neighbors and area businesses, City Burleson, Nan Cameron, Paul Carnevale, Daniel Carroll, Clarence Caudill, Elisa of Columbus, Mayor Andrew Ginther, Celio, Daniel Chester, Jill Clark, Columbus Division of Fire, Columbus Mike Clark, Jason Clever, John Division of Police and all the on- Clever, Michel Coconis, Anthony duty officers, Columbus Division of Cognion, Chris Coleman , Jeremy Recreation & Parks, Jason Nicholson, Collins, Shaun Curry, Terry Davis, Ron Keller, Columbus City Council, Kristopher Dionne, Mak Dopler, Columbus Division of Development, Thomas Dotson, Lisa Dupler, Columbus Division of Refuse, Nichole Duran, Tanya Dvorsky, Columbus Division of Engineering, Demonta Eady, Christian Englund, Columbus Division of Water & Electric, Charles Fannin, Alex Fasuled, Columbus City Forester, Mark Springer, Peggy Findlay-stoll, Justin Foster, Mark DiPiero, Jackie Howard, Valerie Kaitlin Francis, Jerry Friedman, Clements,, Lt. Ty Brust and all the Evan Fuller, Connie Gadell- Special Duty officers, Retired Officer newton, Danniza Giles, Lora Sheila Summers,Tiffany Summers, Glover, Tony Glynn, Jeff Gove, Kevin Brammer, Tim Chavez, Connie Henry Griffy, Gregory Gross, Everett, Bill Finzel, Bernie Frankl Rick Mara Gruber, Michael Gruber, Franz, Aaron Freeman, Eliza Marlow Linda Hahn, Reneigh Hamilton, Darrell Hanke, Micki Hernandez, Freeman, Fred Gittes, Doug Goudy, Photo by Michael Weber Michael Gruber, Michelle Kensler, Todd Lisa Hobson, Saul Hoffman, Kitty Kensler, Gabor Klein, Liz Landrigan, Darryl Mendelson, Ro-z Mendelson, Amanda Owen, Horan, Andy Hudson, Trenton Hython, Ellie Inglesi, Jim Janik, Stacey Johnson, Joshua Larry Pike, Micki B Pike, Bill Reynolds Jr. of Rent A John (that fork lift comes in handy) Jones, Jaime Kelly-warner, Jerry Kerr, Levi Kill, Michael Knoll, Jake Kopetski, Paul Timothy Wolfe Starr, Michael Tom, Ashley Voss, Candy Watkins, Jeff Widner, Helen Yee, Kotheimer, Matthew Kuhn, Jodi Kushins, Michael Lanning, Jim Larosa, Kris Larosa, Lynda Zamora, SITE OPERATIONS: Karl Biery, Carrie Abel, Alli Acuff , Heather Adair, Nick Larusso, Kevin Lauterbach, James Loel, Joanna Marshall, Stefaun Mason , Aaron Albert, Terry Bowman, Jason Deck, Therese Edwards, John Feerick, Michael William Mc gee, Malya Mccain, William Mcgillivray, Mark Mellenger, David Mellon, Larry Goff, William Gort, Heath Grimm , Jennifer Gugliemotto, Stephen Hanna, Mike Hansen, Metz, Allie Meyerhoefer, Jason Miller, Richard Miller, Jeanette Mira, Robert Moody, Brock Harbolt, Maureen Harbolt, Mary louise Hawkins, David Hecht, Bharati Jayanthi, Lorien Moore, Mika Mori, Viviane Nye, David Patrick, Don Pelfrey, Daniel Persico, Ester Kyle Jepson, Wehseh Juty, Poppy Karppala, Rebekah Karppala, Gregory Kilcup, Kamal Phells, John Pinna, David Poole, Dawan Pulce, Vanessa Rebollar, Samuel Richards, Kimball, Mary Klain, Verbz Kloth, Jake Kopetski, Megan Krisby, Carlos Maciel, William Arthur Robinson , Brian Roy, Chip Santer, Daniel Scheffers, Joshawa Schultz, Amber Mcgillivray, William Midgley, Adeline Musser, Violet Musser, Tae Person, Michael Pesce, Scott, Latandra Shepherd, Leo Simpson, Leon Sinoff, Emily Slye, Aaron Smith, Bob Micki Pike, Alan Ramey, Lizeth Rascon, Jordan Reed, Chet Ridenour, Liz Rossi, Dan Snow, Dan Spurgeon, John Spurlock, Micheal Stang, Justin Stewart, John Stuckey, Rosu, Quinn Sarver, Zoe Sarver, Frank Shearer , Leo Simpson, Moran Sinclair , Mikelle King Talbert, Whitney Thompson , Kim Thurston, Reynaldo Thurston jr , Tom Tkaczyk, Smith, Nicholas Steinbrecher, Jeff Suchy, Julie Willis, Nick Woods, Mollie Workman Larry Umansky, Kristine Usselman, Daryl Van mercetta, Katie Van mercetta, Landon PARKING: Doug Gouty, Michael Doody, all our neighbors for their cooperation Vance, Justin Vogel, Edward Voogt, Jack Wagoner, Dustin Watson, Jessica Watson, Jackie Webb, Paul Weber, Amy Weyand, Jodi Whittenberger, Sara Whittington, Tom Peace Village/Healing Arts:  Erin Aluise, Charles Atkins, Stephen Wildman, Anna Wiltse, Andy Woodmansee, Elizabeth Young, Nicole Zahrndt Begala, Cheri Bowman, Alex Criado, Susan Donley, Therese Edwards, Teresa Featherstone, Jared Hall, Tom Hamilton, Mike Kositzke, Julie Kurzenberger, Kelly Signage:  Ashley Baker, Alan Ramey, Ebony Rozzelle, Kamaya Rozzelle-daniels, Montgomery, Aleysha Morales , Ellie Murphy, Yalan Papillons, Tim Parrish, David Kelly Slone, Ryan Smith, Tony Toller, Kathy Whitt, Pete Wiseman Pollock, Terence Robertson, Kristine Usselman, Pete Wiseman 22 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM How Do You Get A Cool Shirt? Volunteer!

Spirit & Purpose: Steve Abbott, Eric Ahlteen, Rachel Barbash, Joanie Calem, Tim Chavez, Jim Coe, Gabe Condo, Emily Davidson, Wonder Doug, Sarah Edwards, Connie Everett, Michael Gruber, Troy Anthony-Harris,, Gabor Klein, Julie Kurzenberger, Darryl Mendelson, Simone Morgen, Mimi Morris, Meghan Ralston, Lynn Stan, Michael Weber

Street Fair: Amy Adams, Colin Adams, William Barney, Amanda Bauer, Paul Birken, Peter Bliley, Keri Burgoon, Linc Burkholder, David Burleson, Wm Carpenter, Debra Dyer, Matthew Erhard, Bobby Fidler, Carlos Gutierrez, Joseph Hart, Jameson Hemmerly, Samuel Hoar, Kiracofe Kiracofe, Paul Koehler, Gail Larned, David Miller, Stephanie Miller, Ellie Murphy, Kami Myers, Lisa Nezovich, Jim Nuzum, Betsy Pandora, Margie Pandora, Neil Preston, Greg Rich, Scott Risner, Kimberly Russell, Katie Russell , Mimi Russell , Steve Russell , Amanda Shugert, Perry Straughter, Pete Wiseman.

Tech: Lu Brammer, Ty Day, Solomon Ford, Jared Keron, Bill Kurzenberger, Julie Kurzenberger, Darryl Mendelson, Ro-Z Mendelson, Meghan Ralston

Voter Registration:  Erika Baker, Joanie Calem, Daniel Carroll, Philena Farley, Joe George, Rachael Holland, Jen House, Scott Jackson, Destiny Jenkins, Jen Knox, Daniel Lorz, Michael Marrero, Rachel Moore, Jeannell Nutter , Caitlin Peet, Kristen Sharrock, Hilary Shaw, Kay Slone, Kelly Slone, Ryder Smith , Scott Solsman, Thursday St giles, Cyndy Stratton, Nova pax Thrasher, Justin Vance, Rick Zwelling

Your Name Here: Would you like to see your name here? You need to volunteer in 2021. - THANK YOU!

Photo by Michael Gruber Community – Now More Than Ever

That ComFest began nearly fifty years ago as a small street fair with a big message: by working together, we could build a community able to manage and support itself. To improve the food we ate, we formed a food co-op. To address people's medical needs, there was a free clinic. Groups such as the women’s collective Fan the Flames, the Columbus Tenants Union, and others shared a message that in many ways has been forgotten: It’s not enough to address the problems that divide a community. Anyone can do that. But you also have to build a community, to create ways that bring people together. And that’s through collective self-empowerment. If the system is failing us, sure, we confront that system. But we also create our own systems—alternative systems, new and better systems by coming together and working together as a self-reliant community. This is a message that crosses social, cultural, ethnic, religious, and even some political barriers. It’s a message of cooperation and unity, a message with a vision for not only cleaning up the mess that so many feel overwhelmed by now, but also taking it to the next level. It’s a message of inclusion and a shield against despair. Because community needs everybody, everybody’s input matters. A community has the power of the people, and each person has the power of the community. This is what ComFest celebrates. This message is what the world needs to hear. Community is what the world needs now.

— Paul Volker COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 23 Schedule of Virtual ComFest Activities

Times Friday June 26 Saturday June 27 Sunday June 28 11:00 AM Get Ready! Order ComFest T-shirt! Yoga 11:30 AM Get Set! Donate to Grants Committee! Tai Chi w/Ro-Z and Darryl 12:00 Noon Welcome to Virtual ComFest! Live Streaming: Tim Easton Live Streaming: Eric Altheen 12:30 PM Live Streaming: The Shazzbots Virtual Solar Songwriter round 1:00 PM Archives Archives Archives

2:00 PM Workshops Workshops Workshops

3:00 PM Recent Live Local Recent Live Local Recent Live Local Performances Performances Performances 4:00 PM Classic Live Classic Live Classic Live Performances Performances Performances 5:00 PM Workshops Workshops Workshops

6:00 PM Performer videos Performer videos Performer videos

7:00 PM Live Streaming: Live Streaming Performer Live Streaming: The Spike Drivers TBA Donna Mogavero 8:00 PM Performer Videos Performer Videos Performer Videos

9:00 PM Recent Recent Local bands Live Performances Live Performances streaming music, 10:00 PM Live Streaming: Live Streaming: all night long, Tony Monico Tony Monico if you want. 11:00 PM End of Broadcast End of Broadcast The Festival ends, but all events are still available at comfest.com

You can help fund our community! Order ComFest t-shirts and more. Find the Merch link at comfest.com Entertainment Schedule https://www.comfest.com/virtual-entertainment Happy ComFest! 24 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM Street Fair

Link to the Virtual Strteet Fair at https://www.comfest.com/virtual-street-fair

The 2020 Community The Street Fair's many Festival Street Fair reflects physical paths lead from the diverse progressive food to art, from live Community in Central performance to social Ohio. In the linked change. Now virtually, take listings you will discover some time to go look at the handmade items and art community organizations from around the world; for information about discover local businesses, how you can make our learn more about the society, our world a better community organizations place; shop at the vendors passionate about the work links and websites to done to make society find treasures so unique a better place, and find they literally cannot be out how YOU can get found anywhere else, involved in the links next and order snacks from to each listing! You'll the community and find tasty food from commercial food vendors your favorite vendors in for great eats. the Food Vendor Link - HAPPY COMFEST! please order from them — Joan Couden and during the Festival and Candy Watkins after! Your support and patronage of these local artists, businesses, and organizations is vital to keeping them alive well into the future. Photos by: Michael Gruber COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 25 ComFest Merch

Happy ComFest, ComFesters! As you enjoy Virtual ComFest all weekend long, please check out the 2020 souvenirs available for sale within the comfest.com website and in the Virtual ComFest pages. There are three 2020 T-shirt options – the winning logo design and the two runner up designs. You will probably want one of each. Repurposing old volunteer ComFest T-shirts is fun and a trifecta. You support a great cause and get an item you can use, support local artisans who created these unique limited quantity items, and we get them out of the warehouse. A portion of every festival purchase comes back to fund the Community Festival's grants program. Since 2006, ComFest has awarded more than $320,000 to organizations and projects that promote the ComFest Statement of Principles. Wear a little ComFest all year long . LOGO CONTEST —Lynn Stan You’ve seen that neat ComFest T-shirt that all the volunteers are wearing. YOU can design the logo for next year. Every year we put out a call for folks to bring their ideas for a logo design. Designs must have the dates June 25, 26, & 27, 2021 and the name “Community Festival” and must incorporate the Hopewell symbol into the logo. Images need to be camera ready and one color image (no grayscale). After the first of next year, go to comfest.com and look for https://www.comfestmerch.com the logo contest link for more details.

2021 Logo Contest Thursday, March 11, 2021, 7:30 PM Goodale Park Shelterhouse Upload entries prior to March 11 [email protected]

ComFest Logo Design: This year's logo design was created by Katelyn Ratajczak. We congratulate her and all the talented artists who entered. 26 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM This Empty Park I. Discovery had been warned did not really exist in Columbus, Ohio. I moved to Columbus in late 1988. I found an And yet here it was on this blighted parcel. Lots of it. apartment on the third floor (actually, the attic) of a This was called, I learned, ComFest. It didn’t seem double that had been carved up into 10 units overlooking like I was attending an ordinary summer festival. I felt Goodale Park. I thought the rent was pretty steep at invited to the Community Festival. $200 a month, but I wanted to be near the park, close Kind of like, “C’mon in, we’re glad you’re here!” to downtown and perhaps most importantly, near the You could say that immediately I got a ComFest hug. burgeoning Short North. The woman who showed me So, of course, I hugged it back. And, I’ve never planned the place sought to seal the deal by remarking that the to do anything else during the last weekend in June since tiny alcove at the front with a that Friday night. small window overlooking the Over these 30 plus years, I’ve tennis courts would be an ideal volunteered for this great “Party spot in which to study: “You’re a with a Purpose” in a variety of ways. graduate student at OSU, right?” I’ve enjoyed the simple pleasures “No,” I replied. “I’m just of serving at beer booths, seeing moving here.” old friends and making new ones. But she was right about I’ve staffed Information Central being on the park. It was a great greeting attendees and dispensing location; who doesn’t want to (generally accurate) directions, and look over a park? And it was written for the Program Guide. I’ve walkable (if anyone cared picked up trash and hung around about that then). There was the after closing on Sunday nights to Big Bear grocery store close help the teardown and traffic flow as by on Neil Avenue and the ComFest rolls up for another year, neighborhood seemed pretty and on and on. Different volunteer cool. At that time, the real urban activities, different shifts, I’ve pioneers like Sandy Wood, enjoyed the opportunity to do any John Allen, The Emperor Doug of it. Ritchey and the many artists and II. The Common gallery owners were transforming Perhaps it was inevitable the Short North, a neighborhood that ComFest would eventually that would become the envy of move into Goodale Park which it urban planners everywhere. And did shortly after my first time. This great urban space yet, notably, there was no plan! (bucolic at the edge of a growing capital city) was gifted The following June, I noticed that some kind of event to the residents of Columbus in 1851 by Dr. Lincoln was being set up on the Park Street side of the park on Goodale, Columbus’ first physician. The park thrived as what was then known as the ‘moonscape’. Wandering Columbus grew and the neighborhood has thrived with it, over on a Friday evening I was immediately drawn into declined and then emerged again as a polished gem in a the sights, sounds and smells of a gathering festival. now vibrant, perhaps overly so, part of town. There were bands on a stage, lights strung around, To imagine the idea that resulted in the park, one fun stuff to buy for a small apartment gazpacho from a should think of a New England public common or village food co-op, a newspaper selling corn on the cob and a green. (Goodale was born in Worcester, Massachusetts welcome dose of community and political activism at in 1782; his family relocated to Marietta around 1788.) tables and booths all around the site. If Dr. Goodale’s vision for the park was not directly/ It was a music festival, activist forum, arts and crafts necessarily based on the model of the common or village show, food event all tied together with the progressive green found in Worcester and throughout New England, politics, social justice, and community organizing that I it certainly resulted in a very near facsimile to it. COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 27

On any given day Goodale Park is an urban oasis the one and only celebration of local music covering attracting joggers, downtown workers, strollers, dog every genre, the education at workshops, the information walkers, picnics; all of the activities urban parks are sharing among organizations; there’s activism and voter really good at. The tree canopy has endured storms, registration, local vendors, arts and crafts, an openness to disease and neglect, and park volunteers and the city new ideas, the bohemian and the (formerly) marginalized. have nurtured its beauty. The shelterhouse has become a The future does indeed show up here first. community gathering place. Walkways have been laid out III. The Spirit that Inhabits the Park and maintained; playgrounds and tennis courts built and Everyone has their favorite part of the weekend. rebuilt, and the surviving lake restored as an attraction of For me, perhaps surprisingly, it’s often at the end of the its own. And the fountain…ah, yes, the fountain. Built, festival. The aforementioned Sunday night when the repaired, demolished, rebuilt again and then again, lake village is disassembled and the vendors are heading drained, repaired… out. It’s the time when all our brothers and sisters in the A respite away from the din of High Street is really progressive community are heading back into the larger only interrupted by the freeway humming along the community to continue the hard work for the cause and southern edge of the park. The construction of I-670 ultimately, for one another. several years ago threatened to swallow portions of the “See you next year,” we always say. park. In an unlikely victory, the freeway was pushed For me, as ComFest ends on Sunday night, it remains beneath and away from the southeastern corner, sparing just hovering over the park. The sounds of the Jazz stage, this treasure. Gazebo, Bozo still linger in the air. The smells of all I, like thousands of others, value this special place that food, the calls to resist, organize, and VOTE; the and find peace and contentment here. joy of reconnecting with old friends and neighbors (and But of course, on the last full weekend in June every dancing) at the Gazebo stage. It’s still there. It’s living year, the park is transformed into a community gathering out ComFest values during the rest of the year in the place. ComFest is really when the promise of a common community at large; organizing, building, and setting the a space held by and for the citizens of this “village” example. It’s winning and losing, but always hopeful and is most fully realized. The notion of the common is determined. ComFest never really ends. the promise of community engagement; meeting and celebrating with one’s neighbors; fellowship, and the IV. This Empty Park actualization of the civic bonds holding the promise of This year, that never-really-ending spirit is more the shared together. important than ever. Because this year, there is no village In the days running up to ComFest, the park takes being set up in the park. This last weekend in June 2020, on a completely different purpose/feel/aura. Music and the park will just be the park. workshop stages are built, power lines hooked up, tents The echoes of ComFest that linger in the park after for vendors and community groups go up; the ComFest the last stage is taken down, tents removed and the village takes shape. By Friday morning, the music kicks park is restored to a better state than we found it, are off, Streetfair is open, community organizations staff more important this year than ever. What we reflect on their tables, local food purveyers light the grills and the and come away with each year: new friendships, re- celebration is on. connecting with old, information and inspiration gleaned As if by town crier, the city’s progressive community from workshops and the reassurance that the community is called together to reacquaint with one another. The past is present, active and growing stronger all the time: All year’s efforts are discussed; victories are celebrated, and these we need to nurture and sustain in 2020 without losses mourned. We are motivated, consoled, cheered on the physical festival; without the community gathering and re-energized. Hope springs. together in this community space. And, there are ComFest hugs all around. This empty park is temporary. The same as every One cannot easily put a label on ComFest. Yes, there year; ComFest the weekend ends on Sunday night, but is the Statement of Principles which guides ComFest actually it lives all year long. and organizers; there’s a logo and slogan selected and Virtual ComFest Hugs! And, see you next year! promoted each year. Thousands of T-shirts and mugs signaling ones service to the festival and support for the — Marty Stutz values go out into the v=broader community. There’s 28 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM

Community Organizations

• Absentee Ballot Request - Franklin County Board of Elections • Grassroots Ohio • African Professionals Network • Gray Matter Media • Americans United for Separation of Church and State-Ohio Chapter • GREEN PARTY • Black Lives Matter • Headcount.Org (Voter Registration) • Break Free From Plastic Movement • Homeless Coalition • BUDDHIST NETWORK OF CENTRAL OHIO • Huckleberry House • Buddhist-Christian Mother-Earth Church • Humane Society of the US or Stop Puppy Mills Ohio • C.H.O.I.C.E. Midwives • HUMANIST COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL OHIO • Cannabis Museum • Indivisible Columbus • CD102.5 • ISKCON (Krishna House) • Center for Pragmatic Buddhism • Kenwood PTO • CENTRAL OHIO FAIR HOUSING ASSOCIATION • Lincoln Theatre Columbus • Central Ohio Worker Center • LSS CHOICES • Cleveland School of Cannabis • LSS Lutheran Social Services • CMAA REFUGEE SERVICES • Move to Amend • Colony Cats and Dogs • Move to Amend Central Ohio • Columbus Coalition for the Homeless • My Brothers Keeper Village Columbus • Columbus Coalition of Reason • Ngare Sergoi Support Group • Columbus Community Bill of Rights • NORML • COLUMBUS CREW • North Central Mental Health • COLUMBUS FREE CLINIC • O.N.E. Campaign • Columbus Free Press • Ohio Cannabis • Columbus Freedom Coalition • Ohio Community Rights Network • Columbus Freedom Fund • Ohio Green Party • COLUMBUS KTC • Ohio Marijuana Card • Columbus Music Commission • Ohio Organizing Collaboarative • Columbus Veg Community • Ohio Revolution • Columbus Vegan Meetup/Vegan Shift • OHIO ROLLER DERBY • Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) • Ohio Roller Derby • Compassionate Communication Center of Ohio • Peoples Justice Project • CORVA Central Ohio Returned Peace Corp Volunteer Association • Promowest • COZY CAT COTTAGE ADOPTION CENTER • REBUILDING TOGETHER OF CENTRAL OHIO • Defend Our Future • Red Oak Community School • DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF CENTRAL OHIO • Register to Vote - Franklin County Board of Elections • DYSLEXIA INSTITUTE OF AMERICA • Revolutions No Joke • Ecole Kenwood PTO • Sierra Club Central Ohio • Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS) • SIMPLY LIVING • Faith Mission • Socialist Alternative • FAN (Franklin Avenue Neighbors) • Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) • Franklin County Board of Elections • Star House • Franklin County Democratic Party • The Center for Balanced Living • Franklin County Loss • Third Hand Bike Co-Op • FRANKLINTON CYCLE WORKS • Three Cranes Grove • Freedom of Choice Ohio • VEGAN SHIFT • Friends of Doo Dah • WCBE 90.5 FM • Friends of Goodale Park • WCRS COMMUNITY RADIO 92.7/98.3 • Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) • Women Have Options • GiveBackHack Columbus • Yes We Can Columbus • Zora’s House COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 29 IN MEMORIAM Just Remember Death is Not The End — Bob Dylan

FBI recruited her first husband to keep and alternative organizations found a an eye on her. home at the Wesley Foundation. Margaret also participated in During this time Burt had to less radical activities. She served constantly defend his decision to on the University Area Commission allow all those “hippies” to use the and, later in life, worked as a building. The Methodist Church was library assistant for branches of the not as inclusive then as it is now, and Columbus Metropolitan Library. eventually Burt’s offer to let the Gay Margaret also knew how to Alliance to hold a dance there turned Margaret Sarber-Nie have fun. If there was a party, salon, out to be the last straw for the church Margaret Sarber Nie passed away on or soiree, she would be there. “Her hierarchy. Earth Day, April 22, 2020, after a long ability to be joyous was one of her After Burt left the the Job as struggle with a neurological disorder best qualities,” according to her campus minister in 1976, ComFest that robbed her of her mobility and bereaved husband of nearly 32 years, could no longer use the Wesley her speech. Jim Nie. Foundation as a base of operations. She was known to many as’ Mad Additional memories of Finally in the mid-80s the antagonism Margaret’ from early on, not for any Margaret’s work with the Columbus in the area against the festival became disorder, but rather for the zeal with Free Press can be found at https:// overwhelming and the festival was which she pursued positive change. In columbusfreepress.com/article/ forced to move to the Short North that, Margaret was a force of nature. margaret-sarber-most-radical-free- where it still is held every year. Margaret was an anti-war activist press-editor Burt in his own right was an during the Vietnam War and, per —Harry Farkas activist. While at Youngstown State, Bob Fitrakis, “the most radical Free “Burt was co-founder of the Gates Press editor”. She was arrested by the Rev. Bert Cantrell Burt Cantrell of Eden Coffee House, a ‘safe place’ Columbus Police ‘Red Squad’ in May, died this year. for all students to meet and converse 1972 along with three other members Without Burt without the interference of alcohol or of the Columbus Free Press at a time there would of being judged for who they were.” when visible leaders of the movement not have been He was also a regional director for the were prime targets. She was the only a Community anti-nuclear group SANE, a director female of the group. Festival. of the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, and the She was an organizer, volunteer, It was director of the Metropolitan Area and contributor in the OSU Campus Burt who Council of Churches. And when the community of the late 1960’s and opened up the Wesley Foundation KKK got a permit to put up a cross on early ‘70’s that spawned numerous which he described as the “big, empty the Statehouse lawn, Burt mobilized alternative organizations. These building” to student activist groups clergy from all over the area to add groups formed the basis of the doing the early 70s. A number of these so many other crosses that the Klan’s Community Union and ultimately the groups — the Columbus Tenants’ message was overshadowed. Community Festival. Union, the Free Press, the Food Co-op From Burt’s obituary, ComFest From the earliest days on 16th and various anti-war campaigns — “carries on his ideals of community Ave, Margaret’s voice could be heard coalesced into the Community Union. action, equality, and peace for all.” from the ComFest stage sharing It was the Community Union that His open-hearted spirit will always be her vision of peace and freedom. founded Community Festival in 1972. with us. Margaret’s commitment formed Burt played an even more positive —Mimi Morris and Michael a feminism that did not require role by allowing ComFest to use the Weber permission. She was radical enough in Foundation building as a home base the Emma Goldman tradition that the during the festival. Many progressive 30 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM IN MEMORIAM Les Stansbery Leslie Stansbery at all our anti-war demonstrations members of Simply Living and hosted embodied ComFest values. He was but was a radical at heart. He Earth Institute Study Groups in their guided by a actively worked on Central American home. Chuck Lynd remembers “While commitment issues, particularly the Copapayo, Art was more vocal, they were very to faith-based El Salvador Sister City Project and much a power couple, and Cindy's community Pastors for Peace in their missions gentle spirit and innate kindness and worked to fight the embargo and bring grounded them both in their activism tirelessly humanitarian aid to Cuba. His words, and commitment to environmental to further actions and courage inspired all of us causes. Cindy remained engaged that goal. to not be afraid to fight injustice and after Art died, and just last year she An ordained make a difference in the world.” came to a Simply Living meetup Presbyterian —Connie Everett at the Green Haven Living store in minister, he served as an Army Westerville. She was ready to help Chaplain, was president of the Cindy Strauss—The Columbus revitalize the Sustainable Westerville Interfaith Association in Columbus, activist community lost longtime group!" Cindy was 95. and served on the Metropolitan friend Cynthia — Connie Everett Church Board Vail Stevens His experiences and education Strauss recently Aaron Freeman Long-time enhanced his beliefs. Les earned a to COVID19. Community Festival volunteer Aaron PhD in International Studies from Cindy, as she Freeman, 42, OSU and became Executive Director was known passed away of UNICEF. He was instrumental in to friends, suddenly on the Columbus Campaign for Arms grew up in April 1, 2020. Control. Having participated in the Columbus, Aaron was freedom riders movement, Les spent earned her B.A. in Music at The loving husband his life working justice and equality Ohio State University, and studied to Eliza Stirling for all. He worked closely with Vocal Performance in New York (Marlow) Central Ohioans for Peace and Pastors City. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Freeman and for Peace projects and helped found Education at SMU in Dallas, Texas, devoted father to Adrian Freeman. B.R.E.A.D. an M.A. in Elementary Education Aaron was a lifelong ComFester Les received many awards and at OSU in Columbus, and was an as his immediate family and in-laws recognitions for his contributions, elementary teacher in the Columbus have been involved in ComFest since among them the Columbus Free Public Schools for 26 years. the early days. Press Libby Award for Community Cindy, along with her husband Aaron and Eliza began making Activism. Both Les and his late Art, were well-known and beloved their own mark on ComFest in wife Margaret “Peg” were ComFest in the progressive community. They 2008. Candy Watkins asked if they Honored Activists and over the years were active in Central Ohio Sierra would assume responsibility of volunteered with ComFest to speak Club. Whether making flyers and the equipment team. They would and participate on workshop panels. bumper stickers or driving people to oversee the set up and tear down of He was always willing to lend a hand. meetings and demonstrations, they all the tables, chairs and umbrellas; Local activist and editor of could be counted on. Sierra Club’s over two tons of equipment. Their Columbus Free Press Suzanne Patzer Pat Marida explains, “Art had a first year they toughed it out lacking offers this high praise: “Les Stansbery photocopier back in the day when enough volunteers. But the second was a strong, courageous pillar of they were harder to find. They would year they recruited friends and support for the progressive activist bring literature to meetings, ComFest, co-workers to volunteer with them community in Columbus for decades. Earth Day, etc.” and soon oversaw a crew of over 40 He spread the word of love and peace The couple were also founding people. COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 31 IN MEMORIAM “Aaron LOVED having a golf cart to drive around,” in part from the many places Eliza said. “He always wanted to have one to drive he lived. He grew up mainly in around and now he had four!” Columbus but spent summers Aaron seemed to be everywhere in the park before, in Austria; lived on Put-in-Bay during and after the three days of ComFest. Island where he co-ran “ the “His favorite thing to do was load up the golf cart world’s smallest Heineken bar”; with equipment and drive around and see if he could help moved to Boulder, Colorado and anyone,” said Eliza. “He wanted to help others in any finally settled in Cedar City, Utah way possible. That was his giving spirit. ComFest won't with his partner, Jennifer Bach, be the same without him.” who he met while both were volunteering at ComFest. Aaron loved life, loved his family and found joy Nature was important to Michael. He enjoyed everywhere. Sister-in-law Nova Gallacchio recalled that outdoor activities of all sorts, working with plants one year after Sunday night teardown at 3:00 a.m. Aaron and landscaping, and cooking. He shared ComFest’s couldn't find his ride home and didn't have his phone. environmental values and concerns for the planet. “So he walked home to Clintonville,” Nova said. Michael volunteered for ComFest KidsArt for many “He got home at 5:00 am and remarked that it was good years. Committee Chair Meghan DeLaurentis says, for him to see the city like that.” “Michael was the guy who made sure we had everything Note: A GoFundMe site has been established at we needed. Back then (early 2000s) we didn’t have a golf http://gf.me/u/xux8wk to benefit Eliza and Adrian. cart so someone had to go get water, haul in arts supplies. — Marty Stutz Michael was that guy.” Michael also volunteered for the Columbus Arts Festival and a variety of other community Michael Risner Michael Risner was a great spirit. events and charitable causes. People enjoyed working He was always smiling, laughing, enjoying the moment. with him. Michael passed away unexpectedly early this Perhaps his zest for fun and helpful nature were acquired year.

Photo by Michael Gruber 32 VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 COMFEST.COM Virtual Lemonade From Lemons The Community Festival, which began as a venue to desire to even have a smaller festival. celebrate and showcase local music, art and community The decision to postpone was not easy to make, organizations, has grown to become one of the largest nor did everyone agree. The GPC spent a lot of time festivals in the area. It is nationally known as ComFest, waiting to see if the shutdown would take effect, and “a party with a purpose.” Thousands of people attend the how it would affect other festivals. All other events were 3-day event, yet there remains no corporate sponsorship cancelling. Could we all wear masks and stand six feet and no deep-pocket money source behind the scenes. It is apart? Not in the beer lines that were anticipated. The run by volunteers, your friends and neighbors who want GPC knew the community needed some sort of festival, to promote social justice and equality. These people work especially now. What could we do? Several committees from ideals established early in the life of the festival, the figured out a way to provide a “virtual” festival on- Statement of Principles (See page 5). line. The idea was discussed at a GPC meeting and Thousands of volunteers work the festival, led by accepted. Like the original, this festival would be thrown hundreds of people in committees such as: Safety, Spirit together using available materials and raw talent. Tech, & Purpose, Logistics, Libations, Clean-Up & Recycling, Entertainment and Spirit and Purpose committees thought Entertainment, 18 committees covering the vast expanse they could come up with enough content to produce an of human need and want during 3 days of sharing music, on-line experience with workshops and speakers covering art, community organizations, good food, beer, and a social issues, musicians providing music (some live!) liberal dose of social activism. Being a member of this as a “Virtual ComFest”. With less than a month to go, party is easy: buy a beer, a mug, a T-shirt. Better yet, organizers decided to honor the 2020 festival dates and volunteer and get a ComFest T-shirt and ComFest money provide an event on-line over the last weekend of June as (chips) to buy beer, food or ComFest merchandise. As a originally planned. member, you are asked to read and apply the Statement of Seeing enthusiasm building for this festival, the Principles in everyday life or at least during the festival. Program committee started talking about producing. Expanding on that is the concept of “ComFest 365”, to an on-line Program Guide. The program usually took find ways to help the community on a year-round basis. months to produce and was now faced with mere weeks. Committees meet throughout the year to prepare Here was a perfect opportunity to try something new. for the next festival. Committees report to the General Indeed, everything would have to be re-thought. Planning Committee (GPC), which meets twice monthly. To have a “party with a purpose” this time would This is an open committee designed to oversee the be to focus on the “purpose” for the party. There is no Festival and provide guidance to other committees. template for this type of festival – it was made up as it Decisions are made by consensus, formulated by the developed. There would be no beer sales, no income for group. The only elected official is the Treasurer. About 20 the next festival or to donate to local organizations. There or so people attend the GPC meetings regularly. would be no hugs, no dancing in the sun (or rain) with This year, the Committee had planned another friends old or new. But there would be socially conscious fabulous festival. Due to some unfortunate experiences programs, music, workshops, and speakers. It would with Hate Groups at last year’s festival, many organizers all be in the comfort and safety of your home on your were ready to produce programs about Hate Groups, preferred computing device with your own beer in an old how to identify them, how to interact with them, and to ComFest mug while wearing a volunteer T-shirt from a identify community organizations that exist to “seek to previous year.. eliminate these attitudes”, as is stated in the Statement of Many dedicated folks have organized a lot of Principles. Then the Covid-19 virus struck and everything content from previous festivals, local musicians, new shut down. The GPC met often during the early shutdown workshops, and speakers to produce a different festival to figure out what the festival could do, if anything. experience this year. This year was to have been the 50th The safest, wisest choice was to cancel the festival, and festival/48th year – the festival that wasn’t in Goodale maybe attempt one in late September. But the danger Park – the Virtual ComFest of 2020. of spreading this virus and trying to control exposure to attendees and volunteers over three days outweighed the — Jonathan Johns COMFEST.COM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 2020 33 KiDSART