Rockin’ Red Music Fest to return, celebrating 75 years of Lawrence Community Nursery School

The “Little Red Schoolhouse” will celebrate 75 years serving Lawrence with a festival of music, food and fun on Sunday that is open to the community.

The Lawrence Community Nursery School was founded in 1948 “by a group of parents committed to providing the community with a cooperative inclusive nursery school,” according to a news release from event organizers.

Today, LCNS continues to provide Lawrence with a preschool that is cooperative, inclusive, low-cost, diverse and accessible, according to the release.

“Among the musical entertainment taking to the historic bandstand in South Park are Darsonics, Sky Smeed, Carswell & Hope, Cat Rodeo, A Blacksmith’s Daughter, as well as storyteller Priscilla Howe who will regale attending kids with stories,” according to the release. “Many of the musical acts feature parents or former families of LCNS students! 

Games, a bouncy house, face painting and more activities will be available for kids, and there will be food truck dining and Free State beer available for adults, according to the release.

The festival is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30 at South Park. It’s free to attend, but donations are encouraged. Proceeds will support the school.

Sunday’s will be the first Rockin’ Red Music Fest since COVID-19 hit, according to the release.

“We have been talking about when the time would be right to bring back this event post-pandemic, and LCNS celebrating 75 years, the time is now!” Nick Carswell, development director on the school’s parent-led board and a musician with one of the participating bands, said in the release. “We can’t wait to celebrate this amazing cooperative community with music, games, food, drink and fun in  South Park.” 

The preschool is also celebrating director Stephanie Duncan’s 20th year with the school.

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