By By Adrienne McKenzie
There were many fun and festive events area residents could choose from this past weekend at the second annual Greater Good Music, Art and Children's Festival in Davisville, Fla.
The festival began Friday evening, lasting all weekend and had activities for young and old alike.
Troy and Anna Pierce went to the event with their children and said they had a great time in a safe environment.
"We came Saturday and Sunday," Anna Pierce said. "What was fun and unique for me was that the kids could run around, but there was music for adults. It wasn't just a 'kiddie' event, adults were able to enjoy themselves and relive their youth. It was awesome. The whole family enjoyed themselves. The giant hay bails were amazing. Because this was a farm and a family's home, the children could run around and be free and just be kids."
"It was kind of renaissance," Troy Pierce said. "There were all kinds of things going on at the same time. It's eclectic and artsy, it's a meshing of different fun things to do. We came last year and it was bigger and better this year. I thought it was a lot of fun and I met a lot of people."
Deanna Edmonson was another guest at the Greater Good festival and she said she enjoyed the event.
"I like the whole music aspect of it and how it let some of the local kids explore their talents," Edmonson said. "It's a great thing."
The festival had art, food, vendor booths, children's activities and an onsite tent where camping was available for the entire weekend, not to mention the many musical groups performing.
According to Kimberly Casson with Greater Good, Inc., a lot of hard work was put into the event that was meant for people to enjoy and relax at. Kimberly Casson and her husband, Mark, are owners of the land where the festival was held.
"This type of festival is meant to encourage people to slow down," Kimberly Casson said. "The whole children's tent had several different activities going on in the tent and the Northview High School (students) had a wonderful act."
"The intention is to put together an event that is very child and family friendly that would bring together a lot of different people," Mark Casson said prior to the event. "Something that truly enhances our community."
This year the festival was held to honor Escambia Westgate School/Snoezelen Complex in Pensacola, Fla. Students and family members were invited to lunch on Saturday at the festival. The Cassons said five families, the principal and some teachers came to enjoy the event.
The Cassons said overall there were probably about 500 people who came to the festival during the weekend and Saturday was the biggest turnout.
Whether or not the festival will be in Atmore next year is up in the air, according to Mark Casson.
"Greater Good, Inc. may have a festival next year," he said. "It's being looked at."