Septemberfest Connects Community, Fun and Fashion
Connecting students, Fairmont State University alumni and the community, Septemberfest will offer vendors, music, family activities, a high-end fashion runway show and more in downtown Fairmont on Saturday, Sept. 20. Septemberfest is part of Family Weekend, planned for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19 to 21. (For more information about Family Weekend, visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/studentservices/family-weekend.)
The Fairmont State Alumni Association, Main Street Fairmont and the City of Fairmont are partnering for Septemberfest, which is scheduled to take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, on Monroe Street.
“The Fairmont State Alumni Association is proud to work with Main Street Fairmont and the City of Fairmont to continue to strengthen the relationship between students and alumni and the greater community. This event is a great opportunity to showcase and promote the many locally owned businesses and civic organizations Fairmont has to offer,” said Emily Swain, Director of Alumni Affairs. “We hope to build on the success of last year’s Septemberfest, which garnered much positive feedback, by highlighting a unique company with local roots that is creating a fashion show experience similar to one you would see in Miami or D.C.”
This year’s street festival will feature a special collaboration with two FSU alumnae. Beth Keener LLC is a partnership company owned and operated by Beth Keener and Melissa Craig, both Fairmont State graduates and Marion County natives. The Beth Keener brand offers high-end, handmade, art-inspired products that Keener and Craig call “artistic luxury.” Each original product is either a one-of-a-kind or a limited edition.
Beth Keener LLC has put together an art exhibition called “Art Is Dead” and fashion runway event at The Gatherings, 216 Monroe St., from 5 to 8 p.m. The fashion runway show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the exhibit/fashion show are available for purchase for $7.50 through Sept. 18 at www.bethkeener.com and will be sold at the door at the event for $10.
Family friendly activities are planned for day-time activities for Septemberfest. A Family Fun Zone will include music and a hay maze in the green space on Adams Street. From 3 to 3:30 p.m. there will be a Mr. Twist Magic Show. Phil Wiseman will DJ from 4 to 4:45 p.m. and play live music from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
From 6 to 9 p.m. Downtown After Dark will provide live music, street fair vendors, a Community Beer Garden (proper I.D. required) and a glow-in-the-dark hay maze. Three Piece Soup will play from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and Tammy will play from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information about Septemberfest, contact Emily Swain at (304) 367-4015 or Emily.Swain@fairmontstate.edu.
Related to the runway show, Student Government Association is sponsoring a Body Image Panel from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, on campus in Wallman Hall Theatre. The discussion will focus on eating disorders, self-love and empowerment. Admission is free and open to the public. Participating in the panel will be Andrea Pammer, Director of Disabilities Services; Dr. Amy Sidwell, Assistant Professor of Health and Physical Education; Robin Yeager, Director of the Falcon Center; Tonya Lewis, Certified Personal Trainer/Training Director at Body Renew Fitness in Winchester, Va.; and Beth Keener, an FSU alumna and designer. For more information about the Body Image Panel, contact Meagan Gibson, Student Government Advisor, at (304) 333-3665.
SeptemberfestEmily SwainAlumniFairmontBeth KeenerStudent Government
