Haymarket Youth Festival changes location

***LOCATION CHANGE for the Haymarket Youth Festival it has been moved to the dock at the Downtown Mill - 800 P. Street.

Two years ago Lincoln Southeast High School student Hannah Cass wanted a way to encourage her peers to find their passion and get involved in their community. So she approached the school administration and city officials about creating a Mayor’s Club.

The Mayor’s Club plans a project every year that highlights the community and raises awareness about what is important to area youth. This year’s project is the Haymarket Youth Festival on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. and will feature activities, artwork and music in the alley at 701 P Street.

“When you walk through the Haymarket, you see students taking pictures of the mural and other artwork in the alley,” said Cass. “We want to celebrate this creative area in our city and promote youth achievement in art - both visual and performing.”

This completely student-organized event will feature artwork from students at many of Lincoln’s high schools, local bands, henna, photo booths and ice cream.

“It’s very exciting to see our young people embrace the arts and the Historic Haymarket by creating their very own festival,” Mayor Chris Beutler said. “They are a setting a great example of civic pride for everyone in Lincoln, and I want to thank them for their hard work and their love for our great city.” 

Cass received financial support for the event from Southeast High School and the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools through a new award meant to inspire community service.

"As the first recipient of the the Pay It Forward Service Project Award, Hannah has done an amazing job following through on her vision to create the Haymarket Youth Festival,” announced Southeast Principal Brent Toalson. “Hannah’s project is a great example of how service learning can improve our community and inspire others to ‘pay it forward’ through acts of service. We are very proud of Hannah and all that she has done to showcase our youth and their talents through her service project."

More information about the Friday event can be found at http://haymarketyouthfestival.org/

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