LAWRENCE TWP. − Tasha Thatcher danced merrily with her 8-year-old as music blasted from the stage of The Country Fest.
The 34-year-old mother from Atlanta was making a memory with her daughter, Hannah Boyd. They drove from Georgia to Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park for the music festival, which continues through June 20.
Mom and daughter are big fans of country music star Kane Brown, who headlines the final day. Hannah rattled off some of her favorite songs by Brown: “Unspoken,” “2 Pair” and “Miles On It.”
She was endlessly energetic, alternating between dancing with her mom and by herself. Other times, she watched country music artist Tyler Nance perform on June 18 from the shoulders of her stepfather, Chris Kelly.
All around them was the revelry of Country Fest. Fans hollering approval for each song played. Beer raised high in the air. Couples wrapping their arms around each other. And smiles everywhere. Thatcher said the moments with her daughter transcend the music.
“This is a vacation,” she shouted over the band. “We go camping a lot anyway, and we love country music and we wanted to kind of get away from everything.
“This is something she’s going to get to remember all her life,” the mother said of her daughter. “I never did anything like this when I was her age. I never went out of state. I work a lot, so it’s important when we do stuff together, that we’re making the times as impactful as I can. It’s important to me, and I want it to be things that she treasures, and it’s something that she wants to take her daughter to do in the future. I want it to be a tradition.”
Country Fest, which started June 17, continues June 19 with headliner Zach Top before Brown closes out the event June 20. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.thecountryfest.com/.
Here’s a look at what else was happening at The Country Fest and what it means to concertgoers.
Patriotic spirit
Nick Nader, 27, of Lake Township, was bedecked in patriotic garb − American flag-themed cowboy hat, overalls and tennis shoes.
Attending Country Fest with his two sisters was especially meaningful because their father died more than a year ago.
“I promised them I’d bring them out to Country Fest,” he said.
As for his boldly American attire, Nader said he loves the United States.
“My stepmother is from the Philippines and she talks about how great America is,” he said. “She had some tough times, so moving here and marrying my father, she said this is the best country you could live in with the best opportunity.
“With amibition, strive and determination, I can do whatever I want,” Nader added. “There’s no limit.”
Treaty Oak Revival fans
Treaty Oak Revival drew many fans to Country Fest, where the country rock band from West Texas was headlining June 18.
Zoey Palumbo, 16, of North Canton, said she finds the band’s lyrics “very relatable.”
Colette Jividen, 19, of New Franklin, said Treaty Oak Revival “is a vibe.” Their style of country is not the pop-oriented variety common in the modern Nashville scene, she said
“When I think of Treaty Oak, I think of old country,” Jividen added. “And they have their own style.”
‘It brings everyone together.’
Josie Macha, 19, of Jackson Township, was returning to Country Fest for the fourth time.
“I just feel like it brings everyone together,” she said. “Everyone’s here for the same thing. I always meet new people. Everyone’s so friendly. Everyone’s having a good time.
“Everyone I meet, they are just so welcoming,” Macha added. “Everyone comes here with the mentality of, ‘I think I want to meet new people today.'”
Tailgate pals
Seth Voshel, 21, of Massillon, sat on the tailgate of a Dodge Ram truck with friend Xavier Piorkowski, 22, of Massillon, taking swigs of Busch Light.
Voshel reminisced about attending his first Country Fest when he was 13.
“Actually, I hated country music when I was younger,” he said with a laugh. “Then my parents brought me here. We went down in the pit for a little while. The live music was a bit of an eye opener. And I keep coming back. I love it here. I’ll come until I bring my kids.”
Voshel’s parents still go to Country Fest, but now “they stay on the hill.”
Cy Jolliffe, 22, of Independence, said festival goers have a good time.
“I’ve seen people jump on a table,” he said of tailgate alley. “I’ve seen people passed out in the lawn or sleeping in the bed of trucks.”
Ready for ‘Boomtown’
Treaty Oak Revival is known for cutting loose during their popular song, “Boomtown,” when band members give the fans a beer shower.
Those antics spread to the crowd. Beer bottles and cans are tossed into the air and fans get soaked.
Country Fest co-founder and co-owner Aaron Green said that’s why a “pour order” was instituted on concert grounds on June 18. Beer and other beverages sold at Country Fest were to be poured into plastic cups. Green said he wants to keep everybody safe. Ponchos also were for sale.
“I’m all for it,” Jolliffe said of getting wet. “Just the experience.”
Make Country Fest a national holiday
Noah Berbari, 21, of Jackson Township, said the Country Fest experience is “electric.”
“Vibes are up, energy is up, and there’s nothing like live music,” he said.
Berbari was hanging out with friends John Hofacre, 19, of Navarre and Braylwyn Tabellion, 19, of Navarre.
One of the young men suggested declaring Country Fest a national holiday.
“This is Stark County,” Tabellion said. “There’s nothing like it. It brings the whole county together. People look forward to Country Fest all year. There’s people from hours away − it’s a whole circle.”
Added Bryce Stalnaker, 22, of the Canal Fulton area: “There’s no party like this in Stark County.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘No party like this.’ Country Fest draws thousands for music and fun
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
