WHAT: 7Fest
WHEN: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. tomorrow
WHERE: 7755 Williams Road
ADMISSION: $20 presale (tickets will be sold today at Courtside Pizza, Yianni's Atheneon Carryout and Campus Sundries until 2 a.m.), $30 at the door.
At the tail end of a spirited Athens fest season tarnished by couch fires and riot police, Spring Quarter's final booze-soaked soiree will attempt to give something positive back to the city.
A portion of the proceeds from this year's 7Fest will go to Don't Break the Bond, a nonprofit launched by an Ohio University alumnus that supports children with incarcerated parents. Proceeds also will help a local teen in a similar situation get her degree at Hocking College.
Capt. Bryan Cooper of the Athens County Sheriff's Office discovered 17-year-old former Alexander High School student Erica Osborne several months ago working 30 hours a week at McDonald's while also taking a full course load at Hocking College.
Osborne's mother is deceased, and her father is serving time in jail on drug charges, so she now lives with her grandparents.
Osborne also saw violence firsthand in February 2009 when four people came to her father's trailer demanding money thought to be part of a drug dispute. The gunfire that ensued from both sides killed Meigs County resident Donnie Putnam. Osborne called 911 during the gunfight.
After meeting Osborne, Cooper contacted 7Fest organizer Dominic Petrozzi about collaborating with Don't Break the Bond, which has had a partnership with the fest since last year. They decided to donate $2,500 of the 7Fest proceeds to Osborne so she can purchase a computer and other necessities to help her finish her two-year degree.
Right before I got with my grandparents I dropped out of school. ... I didn't want to get (my GED)
but they pushed me and I ended up getting it said Osborne, who is now pursuing an office management degree at Hocking College. A year ago
I never would've thought I'd be here.
Osborne plans to finish her two-year degree, get a job and eventually go back to school - and she became emotional when those goals became a closer reality as Petrozzi, Cooper, Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly and Assistant County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn presented her with a $2,500 check yesterday afternoon.
I was really surprised that anyone would want to help me after what I've been through
Osborne said, fighting back tears. I'm just really happy and thankful.
Before last year, Petrozzi never could have imagined his yearly concert series would turn into a charity event raising thousands of dollars for families in need. The idea for the festival came about in 2004 with 1Fest when Petrozzi decided to hold his own fest during his senior year at OU; 4,500 people came, encouraging an encore every spring, with the name of the party increasing by one each year. Last year, the first year of partnership with Don't Break the Bond, the fest raised $10,000 for the nonprofit and has now gained national popularity.
Literally
I'm in Philadelphia on business at a bar having a good time and I hear random strangers from Jersey talking about going to 7Fest
Petrozzi said. It's gratifying and it's cool to ... create something good out of it for somebody that's not so lucky.
With tighter restrictions at the gate and a positive message behind the party, Cooper expects a relatively manageable crowd despite couch fires and riots at this year's High Fest and Palmerfest.
If we understand why we're out there and we respect why we're out there
then hopefully everyone will respect that (the police) are here to help and not to take anyone to jail
he said. The event is promoting good
positive things now
and it's showing here today with (Osborne).
7Fest will kick off at 11 a.m. tomorrow at 7755 Williams Road, about eight miles from campus.
