First Joy of Freedom Festival draws support and encouragement

PALMER — The first Joy of Freedom Festival drew a modest but supportive crowd at the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

“It was a good first year. We learned a lot,” event organizer Sara Post said.

According to Joy International volunteer Maggie Rogers, roughly 600 attendees made their way through the two-day event. She said the turnout was lower than everyone hoped, but she said the event was a success overall.

“For our first time, we hit the mark,” Rogers said.

Rogers said they received a large amount of support and willingness to help prepare for the 2023 event from vendors and visitors alike.

“Overwhelmingly, they said I can’t wait for next year,” Rogers said.

Proceeds from the Joy of Freedom festival go directly to Joy International’s efforts in fighting human trafficking across the world.

They know it’s more than just the rescue. It’s about preventing it from happening again,” Rogers said. “They’re fighting at the core. Their mission is a root cause solution and you’ve got to love that,”

Looking forward, Rogers said one of their primary long-term goals for the festival is establishing additional educational opportunities so everyone can walk away with more than memories of a good time with good music, but an increased sense of awareness of what they’re all fighting for, ending human trafficking around the world one informed community at a time.

“We are super excited. It’s going to be an amazing event. People going to walk out saying, ‘that was so much more than a music festival.’ I have every intention of bringing this to its gold standard,” Rogers said. “A community that is aware of what’s going on is prepared to fight it

A group that is united can fight this.”

Cheese Steak N’ Cake owner Jennifer Adams was one of several food vendors at the festival.

“It was great, money to a good cause,” Adams said.

Adams started her small business last summer. She said it’s growing and participating in events like these helps local vendors form important connections and get their names out there.

“It might not be super busy but you’ll always get the networking,” Adams said. “You gotta be able to get out socially and let people know who you are. I feel like every day is another learning experience.”

Greg Blake of the Chicago band The Special Consensus made a special appearance during the festival, performing alongside Alaskan musicians. He said it was his first time in the Last Frontier and he hopes to return as soon as he can. He said that he had a great time performing at the Fairgrounds.

“You can’t have a better setting for this festival. It’s absolutely beautiful,” Blake said.

Blake said the Alaskan bluegrass scene reflects the openness of the genre.

“It’s like a big family gathering,” Blake said. “That’s the beautiful thing I think about this type of music. There’s not a lot of that class division. Everybody’s very accommodating and supportive… A real spirit of community.”

As far as overall talent goes, Blake said that Alaskan musicians contend with any of their lower 48 counterparts.

“They don’t have to take a back seat to anybody,” Blake said.

Blake said that he admires the mission of Joy International and what the Joy of Freedom Festival represents. He said that spreading awareness and rallying people together is the only way to truly fight human trafficking.

“I think it’s one of the most needed causes in the world today,” Blake said. “We’ve gotta do this together or it won’t get done.”

For more information about Joy International, visit joy.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com