Warm weather greeted the ‘Round Town Music Festival on Friday in downtown Kent.

Hosted by the Crooked River Arts Fine Arts Council, festival featured 38 acts at over 30 venues in many downtown businesses.

“(The festival is) an annual musical cornucopia that is all free, where people can hop around town and see all different kinds of of music,” said Bob Burford, who is the co-founder of Crooked Arts Council.

Artist Gretchen Pleuss played a two-hour set at BAKED in the Village Cafe. 

Pleuss said getting to see all of her friends play, as well as the Kent communities appreciation for local music, are some of the reasons she keeps coming back. 

“The festival is unique because it utilizes all of the spaces around Kent, such as local businesses and cafes, not just typical venues,” Pleuss said.

David Mayfield and Abby Rose of the band Cave Twins said it was their first year performing at the festival together. Mayfield played as a solo artist in the past. He grew up homeschooled in a band with his family.

“The music is spread all around in a different environment,” Mayfield said.

In previous years, the festival had Rock & Roll  performers who are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This year DenZon and the Road Doggz performed with Joe Vitale Jr. and Sr. at Water Street Tavern. Burford said that Vitale Sr. has performed with popular bands such as The Eagles and Crosby, Stills & Nash in the past.

Burford said the only complaint they received every year regarding the ‘Round Town Festival is there are “too many good things happening at the same time.”

Kassandra Kaczmarek is the arts and entertainment reporter. Contact her at [email protected].