Halfway to Everywhere was everything it was cracked up to be.
The first-ever music and arts festival brought 30-plus bands and several thousand people to downtown Emporia to kick off the Labor Day weekend.
Blackalicious closed down the night on one of the four stages in downtown. Closing down another stage: Mike Silverman — better known as That 1 Guy.
Lead organizer and Kansas Free For Arts Executive Director Hank Osterhout says things could not have gone much better.
Fellow organizer Cory Anderson — a performer himself under the name Sapphire Son — agrees.
Besides the music, there were art displays and food vendors to help set the mood.
Halfway to Everywhere wasn’t the only debut event in downtown. The No Coast Film Festival brought over 30 short films and the Midwest premiere of the full-length movie “Buckshot” to Emporia’s Granada Theatre. Organizer Rosalie Krenger was impressed by the turnout.
“Buckshot” director Josh Smith, an Emporia native, says it was meaningful to have the movie have its regional debut in his hometown.
Smith was also glad his dad, the late Kirby Smith, was able to see the Hollywood premiere before he passed away earlier this year.
On top of that, Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore had Literature Live, where nearly 10 local and regional authors had a chance to read from some of their works and interact with fans and interested readers.
Osterhout says plans are well underway to bring Halfway to Everywhere back next year. Sept. 5 is already announced, and at least 30 bands are expected to be part of the festival next year. Plans for the No Coast Film Festival will be announced at a later time.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon and Chuck Samples/KVOE News
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