Show off your talents to a crowd at the non-profit’s annual community resource fair and street festival
Who needs “American Idol” when there’s Summer Jam in Havre de Grace? Family friendly entertainers of all kinds are invited to volunteer as performers during the sixth annual Summer Jam block party and family fun day on June 16. The event is organized by the SUCCESS Project and will be held from noon until 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Havre de Grace Housing Authority (HDGHA) located at 101 Stansbury Court in Havre de Grace. A wide variety of entertainment is sought, but all performances must be appropriate for children through adults. Interested musicians, singers, dance troupes, clowns, magicians, jugglers, acrobats or other groups can contact Shannon at [email protected] for more information. Include a brief description of the act along with any previous performance history. The deadline to register as an entertainer is May 31.
Attendees of all ages are welcomed at Summer Jam, and with no admission fee and lots to do the event always attracts a large crowd. Besides the live entertainment, younger guests (ages 2-14) can enjoy free activities including moon bounces, face painting and make-and-take fun with various arts and crafts tables. Along with older visitors, they can also play carnival games at low cost or no cost (10 plays for a dollar to win prizes). Adult visitors can shop vendor booths, learn about local resources, and even receive free health screenings and other services. Refreshments will be available for a nominal fee (one dollar per treat) with fair favorites such as snow-cones, popcorn, cotton candy and other snacks on the menu. Registration for vendors is still open and tables can be reserved here at no cost for government agencies, and just $27.50 for other companies or groups. To see a list of current vendors visit the Summer Jam event page.
The first Summer Jam was organized in 2012 by HDGHA residents to promote their Somerset Manor neighborhood. Since then, the event has grown into a much larger community-wide gathering; but the primary planner is still Martinea Trippett-Felton, president of the Somerset Manor Residents Association. She says, “It’s been exciting to see the enthusiasm and support for Summer Jam grow each year because this event really reflects the nature of our neighborhood and the mission of the SUCCESS Project: it’s open to everyone and always offers something new.”
Nicki Biggs is the Executive Director of the HDGHA. She adds, “Summer Jam is a one-stop-shop for fun, information and effective advertising. For service agencies, small companies and entertainers it’s an excellent way to get lots of exposure. For visitors, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the many resources, products and services available right here in Harford County, plus it’s a very fun afternoon! Everyone looks forward to Summer Jam, so we are proud to host this great community event again and anticipate our biggest turnout yet.”
For more information about Summer Jam or The SUCCESS Project, visit www.theupwardclimb.org and follow The SUCCESS Project on Facebook and Twitter.
About The SUCCESS Project
The “SUCCESS” in The SUCCESS Project stands for “Supporting the Upward Climb to Continued Economic Self-Sufficiency.” The mission of the non-profit is to provide at-risk youth and low-income adults with services that teach life skills and encourage personal economic independence. The program is free and provides case management and referral services in the following areas: education, job training, employment opportunities, health care, financial education, credit counseling, home ownership, career advancement, transportation, life skills and entrepreneurship.
