Honesdale, PA – Honesdale’s largest, free, non-profit, music and arts festival, Roots & Rhythm, has received a $10,000 community grant from The John and Helen Villaume Foundation. The funds will be used to offset costs of the event, including the musical acts, stage and sound system. The festival, co-presented by the Greater Honesdale Partnership and the Wayne County Arts Alliance, is organized and operated by about 200 volunteers. Villaume Foundation Board Member Paula Bennett, MD, presented the check to Roots & Rhythm committee members on May 24.
“This is the third time the Villaume Foundation has been so generous to Roots & Rhythm,” said festival Chair Ben Tucker. “The Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival would not be possible without the help of sponsors like the Villaume Foundation. We are very grateful.”
The John and Helen Villaume Foundation was established by Honesdale natives John and Helen Villaume to benefit charitable, scientific, literary and educational programs within Wayne County. Since its inception, the Foundation has made awards approaching $1,000,000. Foundation Chair Paul Edwards said Roots & Rhythm “brings many people into the community and deserves our help.”
Additional information about the Villaume Foundation and grant applications may be obtained from The John and Helen Villaume Foundation, c/o Wayne Bank Wealth Management and Trust Department in Honesdale.
This year’s Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival takes place on Saturday, June 16th in downtown Honesdale in the morning and in Central Park from 1:30 pm until after dark. Visit www.honesdalerootsandrhythm.com or the festival’s Facebook page for more information.
Photo left to right: Roots & Rhythm Graphics Chair David Justice; Festival Administrator and Co-Founder Gail Tucker; Villaume Board member Paula Bennett, MD; Roots & Rhythm Chair Ben Tucker, Treasurer Ruth Dunn, Merchandise Chair Meica Drake and Food Vendor Coordinator Jamie Stunkard.
