Written by Sarah Kyle and Stacy Hall
Harding University will host the inaugural First Thaw Music Festival April 1 and 2, combining music, art and a whole lot of animals to make what planners are calling the “Lollapalooza of Harding.”The event will benefit Heifer International,a nonprofit based out of Little Rock that works with international communities to end hunger by donating livestock to families in need.Corey McEntyre, director ofCampusLife,saidhehas admired Heifer’s commitment to sustaining agricultural growth in communities.When looking for a cause First Thaw could benefit, McEntyre said Heifer was first on the list.”I want to put our name behind organizations that are doing good,” McEntyre said. “Places that are actually serving needs.”Festival coordinator senior Alan Elrod said First Thaw is meant to embody the “reciprocal nature of musical experience.””We want something that works as an exchange — of ideas, of gifts, of goods,” Elrod said.”We want to share what Heifer is doing with people. We want people to contribute time and resources to such a worthy cause. We want artists to leave aspiring students inspired and to be inspired by the zeal and goodwill they encounter.”Headlining the festival is The Avett Brothers, a North Carolina-based band that appeared on this year’s Grammy’s with Bob Dylan and Mumford and Sons.McEntyre said the event is one-of-a-kind, as the band no longer performs on college campuses due to increasing popularity.Other bands include Langhorne Slim, Green River Ordinance, Andy Davis, The Non-Commissioned Officers, The Sherrifs of Nottingham, The Kernal, Cheyenne and Priscilla Medders, and Some Different Animals.”Some of the bands comple- ment each other, some don’t,” McEntyre said.”We want to hit a wide variety of musical styles while bringing artists that support our cause.”With the bands showcased in the Rhodes Field House, art, food, games and a Heifer village will overtake “Vendor City,”also known as the Benson parking lot, McEntyre said.”Be ready to hurl pies at your professors or dunk them into a huge tank,” McEntyre said. “Also for $2 each, we will have a Harding appropriate kissing booth.”McEntyre said the event has been advertised to campuses all over Arkansas, including University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix University, Arkansas State University and Arkansas Tech University.All things considered, McEntyre said he feels First Thaw will encompass the ultimate Harding experience.”I feel as though Harding wants something epic,” McEntyre said. “Well, here it is, put together right here on campus.This is the week- end event you’ve waited for during your whole Harding experience.”Tickets went on sale Monday, Feb. 21, with more than 700 sold in the first hour. Student weekend passes are $35 or $10 with the Pass; public weekend passes are $50 and can be purchased at www.hardingcabtickets.com.
