Mentor CityFest fosters fellowship, frivolity, fun — as usual - The News-Herald
Mentor’s CityFest, a two-day, family-friendly fantasia, featuring activities, games, entertainment, food and more, wrapped Aug. 18 after a typical turnout which, as usual, drew thousands.
Kicking off with a parade with more than 100 groups, the Mentor High School Marching Band, and rocking musical acts of mad varieties at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater, including ZOSO, a Led Zeppelin tribute troupe, and Just Like P!nk, an 8-piece ensemble recreating jams from, you guessed it, Pink, aka Alecia Moore.
With an expanded Kids Zone, Adult Party Patio, more than 20 food vendors and a 2.5-mile run and fun walk, the annual affair also put “Deepwood Idol” on its billing for a third year, a popular talent-based sub-Fest soirée in its 12th overall year.
“Being included in community events such as this shows how passionate Lake County is about inclusion and raising awareness about developmental disabilities,” said Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood Superintendent Elfie Roman. “We are very appreciative and are thrilled with the audience members cheering and applauding for Idol contestants.”
Of the 13 finalists, singer Tanisha Carlgren took first place, followed by dancer Lani Engel and singers Scott Frisbie and Kevin Hutchins.
Ashely Cozzens, LCBDD’s community relations manager, noted that Idol started as a small event during a day habilitation program and evolved to a full-scale talent show that entails about six months of preparation.
“About half of the contestants who auditioned had never participated before,” she said. “And they are all winners because they are so brave to try out. They make this event possible.
“Deepwood Idol is an ideal setting to create community connections,” Cozzens added. “And county board employees, volunteers, community members and local officials rally together to make Deepwood Idol an event to remember.”
“In the ever-changing landscape of federal and state regulations and mandates, we remain focused on offering Lake County citizens the highest-quality, most-inclusive, collaborative, and person-centered services and supports available within our resources,” said Roman. “We hope Idol and CityFest attendees got a flavor of the programs that help us uphold our mission.”