The Natural Life Music Festival

There are lots of music fests that cater to adults. If you’re looking for something more family-friendly, look no further than the 2013 Natural Life Music Festival. Community First Credit Union, founder of the always fun Community First Saturdays program and the upcoming Community
First Hale & Hearty 7k, recently signed on to be the title sponsor of the event for the next three years. The annual concert and crafting festival is a wonderful opportunity for music lovers of all ages to get outside, listen to some great tunes and create something beautiful. And, best of all, it’s free!
The festival is the brainchild of Patti Hughes, creative force behind the Jax-based, boho-chic retailer, Natural Life. Soon after opening the home-based operation, Hughes began giving back to her community by hosting “Crafternoons,” regular neighborhood gatherings that included
craft stations, silent auctions and family-friendly activities. The proceeds from these events benefited the Children’s Home Society and proved to be a big hit with community. From these humble beginnings, the Natural Life Music Festival was born.
Now in its second year, the festival will feature musical performances by some pretty big names in the indie folk world, thoughtfully chosen by Tib Miller of Flying Saucer Presents. The line-up includes Martin Sexton, Field Report, Swear & Shake, Lera Lynn, Sugar & the Hi-Lows and Henry Wagons. For many of these artists, their appearance at the Natural Life Music Festival is one of their last stops before performing at South By Southwest later this month, so this your chance to see them live (and for free) before the Austinites do.
In addition to live music, the festival will feature Hughes’ Crafternoon activities on a much larger scale. The purchase of a reasonably-priced punch card gets you access to a ton of fun crafts and activities, including T-shirt tie-dying, frisbee spin art, leather stamping, recycled art and much more. If you’d prefer to buy homemade creations rather than make them yourself, the event’s Artisan Market is the place for you. Local artists and artisans will be on hand selling their wares and Natural Life (the retail store) will hold a sample sale, offering plenty of discounted
goodies.
No festival would be complete without lots of yummy food to nosh on. The Natural Life Music Festival will serve up local fare with an emphasis on healthy options and organic ingredients.
Expect delectable delights from The Hyppo, Bistro AIX, Olive My Pickle, Pele’s Wood Fire, Grassroots, Le Petite Cheri Cupcakery, Sweet Pete’s and many more.
Just like the Crafternoons that inspired this event, the Natural Life Music Festival is all about giving back to the community. The fest aims to raise funds for local charities benefiting children in need and will donate all of the proceeds this year to the Children’s Home Society Buckner Division. So not only do you get an afternoon of free music and awesome crafts, you also get to do some good. It’s a win-win!