Annual art festival raises money

Janet French, a member of The High Flyers Trapeze Club, was flying high above the crowd during her trapeze performance at the 21st annual Third and High Festival of the Arts, a fundraiser for St. Charles Catholic School in Bloomington.\nJanet is also a physical education teacher at the school. \nDuring the two day event, held Saturday and Sunday, nearly $20,000 was raised and more than 2,000 people visited the school, church and cafeteria. The funds are divided evenly between the school and the church. The school uses the money to buy instruments for students in the band, books and other miscellaneous items. \nThe festival was started in 1982 by 12 parents whose children attended St. Charles. This year, it has grown into a staff of 22 on the planning committee alone. Everyone involved with the festival is a volunteer, said Ken Jones, coordinator for the Third and High Festival of the Arts. \n"Some of these people have never even had children in the school system and they are out here working on their weekend just to help us out," he said.\nAmong the festival's offerings were martial arts demonstrations, cloggers, gymnastics and a variety of musical performances. Other activities were oriented more toward children, such as a rock climbing wall, face painting, air hockey, dancing and a hay ride. \nApril Mostek was one of the vendors at the festival. \n "This seems to be very successful so far," Mostek said. "It's nice to see all the families out spending time together."\nMostek showcased some of her artwork, including photography, acrylic work and calligraphy. \n"This is my first time trying to sell any of my work," she said. "... And so far people have been really nice to me." \nWhile Mostek was selling her artwork, others sold woodcarvings, baskets and sewing. \nAlong with the vendors, there were also numerous choices of food items including hot dogs and nachos. There was also a "bake and book sale." The parents of the students provided the homemade baked goods. \n"This is actually my first time here, but I think it's great," parent Robin Langley said. "My daughter is in gymnastics with two of the girls performing with The High Flyers and she wanted to see them, so we came out and ended up making a day of it." \nWhile Langley's daughter is not a student at St. Charles, she still found it an important event for her daughter to be a part of. \n"The festival is a fund-raiser as well as a fun raiser." Jones said. "The kids love it. It's a chance for everyone to get out and have some fun for a good cause. St. Charles hasn't cut any teachers, nor any of its programs. That is due to events such as this one which allow us to fund our programs consistently."\nThe festival is not the only fund-raiser planned for the school. Others include golf outings and October Fest, which is actually held in November. \nJones said while the goal is to make money, it's not the most important thing behind the Festival. \n"Even if the Festival didn't make us money, we would still have it because it's such a community event." she said.\n-- Contact staff writer Lynndi Lockenour at llockeno@indiana.edu.