The 21st annual celebration welcomed an estimated 500 students, volunteers and performers on Friday for a musical talent show highlighting the abilities of individuals with exceptional needs from Clinton, Centre and Lycoming counties.

Each of the 38 participating classrooms from local school districts developed unique performances, with some crafting fun — and at times elaborate — costumes to match the music they personally selected to align with the theme. Inside the East Campus Gymnasium, students of all ages and abilities could be seen dressed as astronauts and celestial objects, performing onstage beneath hanging stars and planets — or sporting the event’s signature light blue T-shirts handed out to participants.

Hosted by Commonwealth University-Lock Haven’s Department of Exceptionality Programs and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) student group, the event honors the memory of Kent Glossner, a musician and special education alumnus who died in 2001.

“He loved working with individuals with disabilities and loved music, and so this was the perfect way to honor the memory of Kent,” said Dr. Erica Jones, event coordinator and professor in the Department of Exceptionality Programs.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Rebecca Moyer, treasurer of the CEC at CU–Lock Haven and a former Kent’s Fest participant, now volunteers at the event as a college student. “I love being here supporting them and giving back, like they did for me,” she said.

Jones, who has helped organize Kent’s Fest since joining the university in 2012, said she was familiar with the event from her time as an administrator at Keystone Central School District, where she would see students excitedly coming and going each year.

“When I came here, it was kind of a natural progression for me to start taking over and facilitating it,” said Jones, who now serves as the advisor of CU-LH’s CEC student group.

The CEC student group, which is dedicated to advancing the success of children and adults with exceptionalities, was responsible for selecting the theme of this year’s free, public event.

“Everybody looks forward to this day, and it’s really just an opportunity for everyone to be able to showcase their talents and abilities, whether or not they have a disability,” said Jones, who added the event is about “embracing how everyone is different.”

“And of course for the students on campus, it gives them the opportunity to engage with the community and get experience helping and supporting individuals with disabilities,” she said.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Commonwealth University–Lock Haven Learning Center Director Reed Mellinger brought his therapy dog, Bomber, to visit with Kent’s Fest participants and spectators.

Rebecca Moyer, treasurer of the CEC at CU-Lock Haven and a former Kent’s Fest participant, now volunteers at the event as a college student.

“I love being here supporting them and giving back, like they did for me,” Moyer said.

In addition to the classroom performances, several community members and organizations contributed to the event with activities or performances of their own.

Commonwealth University-Lock Haven Learning Center Director Reed Mellinger brought his therapy dog, and Glossner’s Concrete parked its new “Autism Awareness” truck outside the venue for photos.

Jones said this event would not be possible without the support and dedication of everyone involved.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS A large crowd watches performances at Kent’s Fest on Friday morning at the East Campus Gymnasium on Commonwealth University-Lock Haven’s campus.

Organizers gave special thanks to the following individuals and organizations that contributed to the event: Clinton County Community Foundation ($6,000 grant), Reese’s Print Shop (programs), CU-Lock Haven’s CEC Student Groups, Rachel K. Creations (t-shirts for participants), Troy Breon (DJ services), Lowe’s Mill Hall (water and supplies) and all other individual donors.

Participants included: Miss Liddic’s class, performing “Space Jam”; Rus and Dusty Shaffer, “Bad Moon Rising”; Mrs. Segura’s class, “Little Einstein Remix”; Mrs. Newlen’s class, “Supernova Girl Z3 Remix”; Mrs. Casilio’s class, “Men in Black”; Mrs. Carlin’s class, “Space Race”; Miss Davidson’s class, “Rocketship Run”; Kristin Pratt (solo), “How High the Moon”; Mrs. Fye’s class, “Spaceman”; Mrs. McLaughlin’s class, “A Sky Full of Stars”; Mrs. Rager’s class, “Neon Moon”; Miss Walters and Miss Collison’s classes, “Lucky Star”; Mrs. Ender’s class, “Rocket Man”; Miss Berger’s class, “Outer Space We Are the Planets”; Mrs. Rippey and Mrs. Anderson’s class, “Starships Are Made to Fly”; Mr. Cunrod’s class, “Dancing in the Dark”; Mr. Rager’s class, “Party on the Moon”; Miss MacMath’s class, “E.T.”; Miss Riley’s class, “Star Wars Theme Song”; Mrs. Donnarumma’s class, “Infinity and Beyond”; Miss Buckwalter and Mrs. Dalena’s classes, “On Top of the World”; Mr. Chilcote’s class, “Fly Me to the Moon”; Mrs. Russo’s class, “Waiting for a Star to Fall”; Miss Sprunger’s class, “Drops of Jupiter”; Mrs. McClain’s class, “A Song About Space”; Mrs. Druckenmiller’s class, “Zoom Zoom Zoom”; Miss Zelewicz’s class, “Starman”; Miss Shady’s class, “To the Sky”; Mrs. Kurtz’s class, “Blank Space”; Mrs. Pregent’s class, “Levitating”; Cares of Central PA, “Astronaut in the Ocean”; Natalie Young (solo), “Dancing in the Sky”; Ms. Steinbacher’s class, “Space Truckin'”; Miss Hess’ class, “Shining Star”; Mrs. Heggenstaller and Mrs. Alexander’s classes, “Dancing in the Moonlight”; Tony P. (solo); Mrs. Royer’s class, “Counting Stars”; and Central Mountain High School, “Here Comes the Sun.”