Community Festival, commonly known as ComFest, could be called a political party in the most literal sense, as it is both political and a party.
The event’s feel-good vibe belies its roots in political and social activism, which date back to the inaugural event held in the wake of a Vietnam War protest at OSU where 67 people were arrested and 31 injured.
Even today, a stroll around the festival grounds will turn up speakers addressing topics such as the death penalty, health care access and cultural erasure, among others.
There’s also an undeniable celebratory atmosphere, a throwback to the era of peace and love that unites festivalgoers and fosters the environment of kindness, cooperation and community that ComFest stands for.
Over the course of three days, ComFest will offer nearly 200 live performances, workshops, speakers and community-oriented programs this year.
If you’re heading to the “party with a purpose,” here’s some information to help you plan ahead with details about times and place, parking, entertainment and more.
When and where is ComFest?
The festival will take place from noon to 11 p.m. June 27, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 28 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 29 in Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.
The barricade at Swan and Park streets will close at 10 p.m. June 27-28. No reentry will be allowed.
How much does it cost to get in?
As always, ComFest is free to attend.
What kind of entertainment will be offered?
With workshops, speakers, music, dancers, poetry, arts and crafts, magic, comedy, food, vendors and other attractions, there’s no shortage of things to do, see and hear at ComFest.
Live music on multiple stages will get the crowd moving with genres spanning rock, reggae, hip-hop and blues to meditative sound waves, dubstep, Bollywood and garage-a-billy.
A full performance schedule can be found at comfest.com and in the downloadable festival guide at bit.ly/3ZEbJch.
Is ComFest kid-friendly?
Absolutely! KiDSART will offer a space for young festivalgoers to enjoy activities such as face-painting, T-shirt designing, creating collages, making music and more. Located at the picnic shelter, the area will be open from noon to 6 p.m. June 28 and noon to 5 p.m. June 29.
Kids can also join local artists and performers at 3 p.m. June 29 for the KiDSART parade, which will make a loop around the west lawns of the park.
For their own safety, children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What’s the deal with parking?
There’s going to be quite a bit of traffic, so expect street parking to be scarce. Most parking in the neighborhood requires a residential permit; cars parked illegally will be towed. If you park on the street, plan to use the ParkColumbus app or parking kiosks and QR codes around the area.
Cyclists can leave bikes at the corral at Dennison and Buttles avenues, where a volunteer will give you a claim check to retrieve your bike later. Do not use bicycles, scooters, skateboards or skates in the park during ComFest.
Can I bring a cooler to ComFest?
Please leave coolers at home, as well as bottles, cans and glass of any kind. The festival is not BYOB. There will be beer vendors on Park and Goodale streets. Plus, ComFest beer will be on sale, which funds this year’s fest and helps pay for the year’s event, maintain the park and award grants to community organizations.
Are pets allowed at the festival?
Festival organizer Marty Stutz’s long-running joke is: “Unless your dog’s band is playing (at) ComFest this year, please leave them at home.” But seriously, noise, heat, food dangers and getting lost are all risks of bringing pets, so ComFest might not be fun for Fido or Fluffy.
If you choose to bring your four-legged friend, you must keep them leashed and clean up after them.
For more information about ComFest, visit comfest.com.
Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@dispatch.com or belpaschal@acidbrat.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Arts, activism take center stage at ComFest: What to know if you go
Reporting by Belinda M. Paschal, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
