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Volunteers, sunshine brighten this year's Festival of the Arts

This year's festival featured large crowds, sunny weather and many volunteers.
Evidence Jazz Group performing on Calder Stage.

Evidence Jazz Group performing on Calder Stage. /Allen Wegener

Volunteer Matt Grzeszak helping to direct camera operators to take appropriate shoot of performers on stage.

Volunteer Matt Grzeszak helping to direct camera operators to take appropriate shoot of performers on stage. /Allen Wegener

Volunteer Camera Operator Alexis Ashcroft ontop of scissor lift operating camera number two

Volunteer Camera Operator Alexis Ashcroft ontop of scissor lift operating camera number two /Allen Wegener

The weather cooperated with this year's Festival of The Arts in downtown Grand Rapids. Festival 2013 was held on June 7, 8 and 9, and although clouds appeared over head, the rain held out for the annual three day event.

Many volunteers and organizations helped out at the festival to make it a success. One such organization was Pro Audio located in Grand Haven.

"Pro Audio has been helping with this festival for several years and possibly 15 years now," says Kyle Van Donkelarr- Pro Audio employee from Grand Rapids.

Pro Audio helps set up and tear down the sound equipment for the performers. The Pro-Audio team has to be ready within a minute's notice to get the sound equipment ready for each performer or group that gets on stage.

Volunteers from the Community Media Center's GRTV video tape and live streams the featival every year. GRTV Volunteer Producer Matt Grzeszak is a regular participant.

"I've been volunteering for the festival for about 15 years now," Matt says. "This is where I can give back to the community."

There were many events that happened throughout different areas in the festival, but the main stage was located at Calder Plaza.

"I've been doing this, volunteering help now for six years," Andy VanVornklar from Grand Rapids says. VanKornklar volunteers for trash detail, empyting and replacing trash recepticals.

"It takes three shifts to clean up the trash around the festival area and about 25 volunteers to do it," says VanVornklar. "There's a ton of trash to pull, but the most of it comes through the food booths" Festival of the Arts 2013 was a success because of all the hard work of the Volunteers and Performers who entertained the audience with enthusiasm.                                                                                                                                                 

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