On March 18, the 6th annual OakFest will be hosted by the newly formed Oak Foundation in partnership with and in benefit of The Treehouse Children’s Advocacy Center at the Ritz Amphitheater. 

Event organizer Ansley Lacy said that they are happy to be bringing the festival back with live music from local and afar, and offering food, drinks and fun. 

“We are excited to finally bring our St. Patty’s Day music festival back for the 6th year! Bands from the southeast, the Leftovers, Charles Davis and the Velvet Sound, will join our opening act ‘SUSTO’ and headliner ‘Mo Lowda and the Humble’ on Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 3- 11 p.m. in beautiful Thomasville for a day of music, food, and fun,” Lacy said. 

According to Lacy, beer, wine and local food trucks will be available, with outside drinks or coolers not allowed. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or chairs. 

Treehouse Executive Director Jackla Lawson said that the festival has been a massive pillar of support in funding the services they provide for the youth and families of the local community.

“OakFest has been an instrumental event in supporting the services that we provide for children and families here in our community,” she said. “OakFest has had a partnership with the Treehouse for the past 6 years.” 

Speaking on that support, Lawson continued on, saying that the aide they provided included safe environments for children, medical exams and other aid during dark times for families.

“The Treehouse provides a safe, comfortable, child-friendly environment when reports of abuse or exploitation are made here in Thomas County,” she said. “We provide, what we call, forensic interviews for children and forensic medical exams when the cases arise. Those services are used as part of a criminal investigation.”

Providing these services for free, she said that events like OakFest enable the Treehouse to continue supporting the children of Thomasville. Lawson said OakFest has raised just shy of $250,000 for the Treehouse during their 6 years of partnership.

“So, we’re very appreciative and thankful for the group of volunteers who make OakFest happen each year,” she said. 

In the end, Lawson said that they are just happy that the support they receive allows them to keep directly keeping children safe. 

“This is directly keeping children safe,” Lawson said. “That’s why we’re so thankful for the committee, the event and all the supporters in the community that help make OakFest so successful each year.”

Lacy said that tickets are available at www.oakfest.net for $40, with admission free for children under 12 years old. The presenting sponsor for the event is Teramore Development.