MAUMEE – The 19th annual Acoustics for Autism event will be held on March 1, bringing the community together for a fun-filled day with music, family, friends and impact.
Acoustics for Autism is a free music festival in Uptown Maumee that is open to all ages. The festival was created to raise awareness for Project iAm to help provide resources, scholarships and opportunities for local families impacted by autism.
Nicole Khoury, the founder and executive director of Project iAm, said the organization was launched in 2008 and has been supporting families ever since.
“I saw a need for people in the area, families living with out-of-pocket expenses for autism spectrum disorders,” Khoury said. “We did a concert one time and raised about $10,000. 19 years later, we are still doing it.”
The festival contains local and regional musicians who perform across 10 stages. This year’s festival features a variety of bands, and live music will begin at 11:45 a.m. on select stages.
“There are 107 bands, such as Arctic Clam, The Skittle Bots, Distant Cousinz, The Grape Smugglers, Not Fast Enuff, Blitzen and The Beef Carvers,” Khoury said.
Jeff Stewart, one of the performers, said he has been with Acoustics for Autism since the beginning, and it means everything to be able to perform there.
“I love performing because I get to connect with people who haven’t seen me play in a while,” Stewart said. “It’s a beautiful day of the year.”
Festival goers may wonder how the event makes money if admission is free. Funds are raised from things like the silent auction that will go live Feb. 23, merchandise that people love year after year, beer sales, activities and raffles.
All event proceeds go towards families living with autism spectrum disorders. Khoury said all of the money raised goes into a scholarship fund as people apply and are granted scholarships, and over $1.3 million has been distributed since the organization started.
There are three different kid-centric areas for parents to choose from, and each area is filled with different activities tailored to the type of environment kids would prefer to be in. These areas either have a busy environment with other kids and music, a quiet environment with sensory-friendly activities, or a calm environment with crafts and light acoustic music.
“In the Maumee Indoor Theatre, we have a sensory family area for families that is first-come, first-served,” Khoury said. “Musicians will be doing a music therapy demo, and the movie ‘Trolls Band Together’ will be shown.”
To help with traffic, shuttles are being provided from three convenient locations. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off is being offered at the Hollywood Casino, Leroy and Margaret’s and the Anderson’s Old Lot.
The shuttle at the Hollywood Casino is free for festival goers, while the shuttle at Leroy and Margaret’s is free with a minimum $10 purchase inside, or $10 cash for a round-trip. The shuttle at Anderson’s Old Lot costs $5 cash for a round trip.
Stewart said Acoustics for Autism is a beautiful opportunity if people are looking to experience a community inititative, meet great people, and come across a lot of different food trucks and local businesses.
“I think now more than ever, community is important, and I think we’re all yearning for that,” Stewart said. “We’ve raised so much money for these kids, and at the end of the day, that’s the important thing.
Khoury said Acoustics for Autism is the only event of its kind, and a pure love fest where everyone has a good time. To learn more about Acoustics for Autism, visit acousticsforautism.com.
