The Net Resource Foundation will host the first music festival at the Southside Community Park on Saturday from 4-8 p.m. The family-friendly concert is free and open to the public and features retail and food vendors.
Entertainment will be provided by Rare Coalition Band, First Verse Productions, Caleb The Poet and the Aerobic Soul Steppers.
All proceeds from the festival will help fund the Net Resource Foundation’s Leadership for Life program. The six-week summer program provides students, grades 6-10, with career preparation, life skills and work-based learning.
Executive Director Raquetta Dotley said the program is like a job. “They must create a portfolio, which includes a resume, mock job application, and their bio. The students have to show up on time Monday Thursday, June 6-14, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., or they could be fired.”
At the end of the course, the students must make a three-minute presentation to a panel of judges. The top three students chosen by the judges will earn an additional bonus with their final stipend. The panel includes a variety of community leaders and the director of human resources for Cempa Community Care, Akil Lloyd. "This allows me to uplift and pass advice on to the next generation," said Lloyd. "I feel it would be very valuable for students to participate in a program like this because it equips participants with a necessary toolkit that many people don’t learn until later. As these students mature, their skills acquired from this program will continue to enhance."
Several sponsors have committed to the festival, including EPB, Unum, TVFCU, South Chattanooga Community Association and Westside Baptist Church. Vendors can still apply by emailing thenetresourcefoundation@gmail.com.
There are three levels of sponsorships ranging from $500 to $2,500. Sponsorships include logos on marketing materials, free meal tickets, and gift bags. Food vendors can purchase a booth for $100 and regular vendors can purchase one for $50.
The festival will be at the Southside Community Park, 3501 Central Ave.