Music festival offers fun for all ages

For the 11th year, the Tapestry of Community Offerings Family Music Festival will offer a large selection of family entertainment.

The event, which takes place Sept. 7 through 9 at Jellystone Park Resort in Eureka, Mo., includes a variety of music and family camping or cottage lodging. Other offerings include swimming, art, food vendors and a campsite decorating and costume contest.

"We have a very unique festival, in that we have a fun event for the kids and adults," TOCO executive director Kim Vrooman said. "It's a chance to finish out the summer on a high note. And everything, from our music to our workshops, has a ton of variety."

Children can choose from several workshops, including lessons in art, karate, tye-dye, music and song-making, mini golf, mask and hat making and hula hooping with the St. Louis Hoop Club. The festival also offers evening baby-sitting.

Musical entertainment features everything from rock and blues to country and bluegrass. Bands appearing will be Jake's Leg, Madahoochi, Cumberland Gap, Dogtown Allstars, Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Vitamen A, Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes, Snarky Gargoyles, BOB, Elemental Shakedown, Following the Water, EarthSol, Auset Music Project, David and Roslyn, Brooken Cookie, T-Bone from Babaloo, The Sparrows, Flea Bitten Dawgs, Sully, Echo Trace, Langen Neubacher and the Defeated County, BigChiefSpaceCoyote, June Bug, Stone Sugar Shakedown, Ellen the Felon and the Mattronome and the Cosmic Collaborative Hoop Group.

"The parents can let the kids have their fun, and have some fun of their own while they are at it," Vrooman said. "I think the baby-sitting is one thing that sets our event apart. And when you come back to pick up the kids, they will have learned a new skill."

Tapestry of Community Offerings organizes family events to benefit and raise awareness of children in need, and the festival benefits several not-for-profit organizations. The donation to camp and attend the weekend festival goes directly to service programs including the TOCO Textile Pantry, TOCO Youth Sponsorships in the Arts, TOCO Youth Summer Camp Sponsorships, TOCO College Scholarships for Single Parents and TOCO Bear Necessities Family Adoption program. Money raised also goes to support community organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, YMCA and the Helping Hands Food Pantry.

"We want the fun to lead to a positive message for everyone, and to help those in need," Vrooman said. "We want to set an example. But we want to let loose and party, too."

Single-day passes range from $15 for children younger than 17, to $35 for adults. Weekend passes are $30 for children and $50 for adults. Camping options range from free primitive sites, to $75 for RV camps. To purchase tickets, make reservations or find out more information, including camping options and complete band lineup, visit tocofestival.com or call 618-257-8626.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

Jellystone Park Resort, Eureka, MO