Community Corner
Join the Crowd at YouthFest 2011 in Brambleton this Weekend
The Maine headlines the event while various local bands perform at the event created by teens for teens.
Loudoun County’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) has been working for the past year on , which takes place Saturday, June 25, at the Brambleton Town Center in Ashburn, and organizers are getting anxious.
“It’s hard to believe it’s actually almost here,” said Vanya Aggarwal, YAC’s chairman. “We’ve been working on this since we finished YouthFest 2010. This will be the best one yet.”
The nationally known band, The Maine, will headline act at this year’s event, while local band will warm up the crowd following other local bands. The Maine, signed by Warner Brothers Records, is currently on tour with Augustana supporting “Ones to Watch.”
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Members of the Maine said recently that they should be at their best after all their experience on the road.
“We will have just come off a two-month tour, and will be well rehearsed. We’ll know what versions of our songs work best live, and we will rock!” said the band’s guitarist, Jared Monaco. Singer John O’Callaghan, guitarist Kennedy Brock, bassist Garrett Nickelsen and drummer Pat Kirch round out the rest of the band.
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YAC coordinator Kristin Garrett said she believes the council made a great choice with the Maine.
“The Maine was definitely one of the group’s top choices,” she said. “The response we have received since announcing The Maine will be at YouthFest has been tremendous and.”
Aggarwal agree: “I can’t wait to see The Maine and I know everyone I talk too is really, really excited.”
YAC’s teen members, who represent all of the county’s high school, play a key role in planning YouthFest. They have input on everything from the headline act to the attractions and even the layout of the event.
“YouthFest is an event planned for teens by teens,” Garrett said.
Additional YouthFest performances will include all the YouthFest Battle of the Bands finalists, attractions, interactive exhibits, games and more. YAC members meet throughout the school year focusing on special events, community service, fundraising and communications. Among the group’s special events is a series of YouthFest Battles of the Bands to determine which youth bands and solo artists get to perform on the main stage at YouthFest.
“We are really excited about this year’s YouthFest line up,” said Kendra Austin, YAC’s vice chairman. “Lightspeed Rescue won the battle and they really have a great stage presence. People are going to be blown away by all the bands.”
The youth performers will be on the main stage from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The lineup includes Lightspeed Rescue, Stone Collective, Disengage, Just Another Scene, Alright Like This, Halcyon, Catie Lee, Andrew Tufano, Nocturnal Rush, Emma King, KyleRoc, School of Rock and Pulse.
YAC members also help plan all the attractions, the marketing and the layout of YouthFest.
“We do everything from selling tickets to assisting backstage and we can’t wait,” Aggarwal said. “We also want to thank all the exhibitors coming out and groups supporting YouthFest. It’s a communitywide event.”
YouthFest sponsors include: Brambleton, Miller and Smith, WINC-FM 92.5, the Loudoun Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Loudoun County Public Schools, the Youth Advisory Council, Studio Rock of Northern Virginia and Loudoun Youth Inc.
Admission is $5. Food and some other items will be available for an additional charge.
