Festival Recap: The 2019 Inclusion Festival
at Mountain Sky in Jermyn, PA Aug. 9-11
The nation's first and only sensory-friendly music & wellness festival, Inclusion Festival, returned this year to Mountain Sky festival grounds with an all-inclusive event for all ages and abilities featuring a stacked lineup of musical talent including Talking Heads tribute Start Making Sense, Hayley Jane and The Primates, Philly's own Swift Technique, Somethin' Divine & Expansion Project, with Cousin Earth, Mike 'MiZ' Mizwinksi, the Especially Everyone Ensemble, The Caren Kennedy Formula, Dakini, Calla Bere and The attitude, Dee Maple Band, Golden Twine, Faye Adinda, Mother Natur's Child, Coo Coo Cachoo, and Victor Valendo. Mountain Sky was the perfect location as it sits nestled in the hills as a beautiful, family-friendly music venue and campground, hosting music all weekend with local and regional craft, product & food vendors, wellness and mindfulness workshops, flow performances, and fully available access to all guests on site.
Saturday 8/10
Featured workshops and yoga sessions were hosted Saturday and Sunday morning before the music began by Hayley Jane, Taraleigh Weathers, Benjamin Berry, Joe Ciarverlla and Hariprakaash. The workshop opportunities available at Inclusion Festival featured a wide variety of local and regional experts who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those affected by developmental differences. Each workshop provided festival goers with tangible strategies and suggestions that can be incorporated into daily routines to improve individual and family dynamics, functional capacities, and meaningful participation across life experiences. Our friend and author Ryan Stanley presented on Sunday afternoon, teaching “Energy Leadership” and discussing his book “Be Patient Be Present Be Joyful” Topics presented included mindfulness, nutrition, recreation, learning and communication strategies, sensory support, advocacy and financial planning.
Inclusion Festival Co-Founders Amy Pinder and Leah Barron managed a passionate, dynamic team of special educators, speech language therapists, yoga teachers, legal experts, and event planners dedicated to improving the quality of life, and public’s perception of individuals with special needs through inclusive, immersive experiences. Inclusion Festival proves that magic can happen when communities come together to support all individuals on their journeys to becoming their best selves. A beautiful family-friendly weekend for all ages and abilities, Inclusion Festival is indeed for everyone and we hope to return to Mountain Sky for their event in 2020.
Inclusion Festival Co-Founders Amy Pinder and Leah Barron managed a passionate, dynamic team of special educators, speech language therapists, yoga teachers, legal experts, and event planners dedicated to improving the quality of life, and public’s perception of individuals with special needs through inclusive, immersive experiences. Inclusion Festival proves that magic can happen when communities come together to support all individuals on their journeys to becoming their best selves. A beautiful family-friendly weekend for all ages and abilities, Inclusion Festival is indeed for everyone and we hope to return to Mountain Sky for their event in 2020.
Sunday 8/11
Swift Technique 8/9
Hayley Jane and The Primates 8/10
Dee Maple Band 8/9
Inclusion Festival is presented by All Inclusive Productions in partnership with the non-profit organization Accessible Festivals. All Inclusive Productions is a Benefit Corporation that offers educational and recreational activities for all ages and abilities through inclusive, immersive experiences designed to improve the wellbeing of individuals with special needs and their families. Accessible Festivals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that specializes in ensuring music festivals are accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities through educational outreach, technological solutions, and by designing and implementing ADA compliance plans. All donations to Inclusion Festival are tax-deductible. inclusionfestival@gmail.com