Chardon Graduate Brings Love, Music and Good Spirits to Square June 29
When Lea Marra came home to Chardon on a college break one summer and caught Love Fest on Chardon Square, she had no idea she was attending a festival that would change her life.
When Lea Marra came home to Chardon on a college break one summer and caught Love Fest on Chardon Square, she had no idea she was attending a festival that would change her life.
So when she heard in 2012 the annual festival might not happen again, she recalled thinking, “Oh no! I love this festival. I wanted to keep it going.”
Holding true to her enthusiasm, the then 19 year-old college student began taking over all aspects of the festival.
While it was a huge undertaking, Marra remained undaunted.
“It was a bit of a learning process. I did a little here, a little there,” she said, laughing. With her friend, Brandon Karcic, she reserved the square and set about with volunteers and friends to keep the festival going.
Now an official, regulated 501c3 nonprofit event with Marra as the executive director, she’s hopeful the ninth annual festival will bring her one step closer to her goals.
“I’m a music therapist. I’d love to see proceeds from the festival go back to providing music therapy to the community in need, maybe through the schools, or to the disabled or geriatric population,” she said. “Right now, we’re just keeping our heads above water, but that would be my goal. Music is my passion. I love it, so why not bring something to my town that I love? I know a lot of people come together with love of music.”
Twenty musicians, both local and from Pennsylvania, have volunteered their talents to the festival.
Marra said she loves the idea of supporting local bands in their creative process, but Love Fest is about more than music.
“I’m happy to bring love of art, music and the Earth we get to play on to a community that has been through some things,” she said. “I think it’s really nice to be able to provide that.”
Heritage House on the square will be outfitted as an artist gallery, featuring works from local artists. Over 40 local crafters and businesses are scheduled to host booths, from Tap Root Yoga to Godhead Production, LLC, Chardon Tomorrow, Bondhu and more.
Food and refreshments will be available from The Local Eden, Papou’s Pastries, Smoke (BBQ), Juiced and King Kone.
Admission to the festival and the kid’s section is free, but there are additional activities for festival attendees to partake in during the day, Marra said.
Geauga Music will be in attendance, with Anne Marie, owner, hosting a free “instrument petting zoo” for younger attendees in the kid’s little groover’s section. While there, they can make a paint-by-number for $5. Tie-dye T-shirts will be available for $15. Mikey, from Square City Tattoo, will be donating temporary artwork for an hour in the kid’s section.
Tessa LeBaron, an artist from Cleveland, will be hosting painting classes from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., as well as 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., for $15, all materials included, in the Heritage House.
If painting isn’t someone’s niche, he or she can try a hand at making a record clock for $10, Marra said.
She expressed gratitude to the Chardon Square Association, Smoke, Midwest Rescue, Painesville Printing Company, Cold Harbor Building Company, FM Building and CCM Rental for their sponsorship.
The festival runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Marra said she is still accepting volunteers from local high school students in exchange for service hours to aid in the set up and take down of the tables and booths.
A parking map will be posted on the website for the event: Chardonlovefest.com.
