Community Fest, better known as ComFest, is back for its 53rd year with music, workshops, comedy, poetry, vendors food and more.
More than 200 musical performances will appear on seven stages in Goodale Park in Columbus' Short North neighborhood from Friday to Sunday.
ComFest spokesman Marty Stutz said the festival is bringing back last year's popular silent disco, an event where people dance together while listening to different music on headphones. This year will also see the return of the "Sing Out" stage, a small performance area for singer-songwriters that was added last year.
Overall, though, Stutz said festival goers won't see much that is really "new."
"What's new is the world has changed, and I think some of those issues will be talked about an awful lot at the festival from the stages," Stutz said.
ComFest began in 1972. Stutz said it grew from the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement.
"Progressive politics was and is the name of the game," Stutz said.
This year's ComFest program notes that "This Party with a Purpose doesn't mesh with today's conservative belief system." It also calls out the Republican Party, saying it "adopted the playbook of authoritarians."
Stutz said the back of volunteers' shirts will read, "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty." The front will have the Statue of Liberty's arm and torch with the words "diversity, equity, inclusion."
Stutz said the festival won't necessarily be any more political than usual, but said the messages might feel more urgent.
"And hopefully people will be paying very close attention because the issues that we're dealing with, all of us, are critically important not just to our lives today, but to generations to come in the future," Stutz said.
Despite the strong messages, Stutz says ComFest strives to "maintain the mellow." Columbus police officers and ComFest safety volunteers will be on hand to keep the event safe.
ComFest kicks off at noon on Friday. The festival closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Outside drinks are not allowed in the park, but beverages will be available for sale.
ComFest asks folks to leave pets at home, but children are welcome.
KidsART will have crafts and family activities at the picnic shelter next to the playground at Goodale Park. A kids' parade lines up at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
