Music Festival Helps 85% of Thomasville Kids Read Better

When Stephen Thompson saw that just one in three kids in his Georgia community could read at grade level, he knew something had to change.

This Saturday, the first-ever Ritz Music Festival kicks off in downtown Thomasville to raise $12,000 for the Thomasville Read Foundation's READ program. The festival features food, dancing, vendors, ice cream, and a diverse music lineup designed to bring the whole community together.

The READ program pairs students with tutors in small groups of two to three kids per instructor. Using phonics-based techniques focused on word and sentence recognition, the program tackles third-grade reading head-on.

The Ripple Effect

The early results tell a powerful story. Of the first 13 students who completed the program, 11 now read at or above their grade level. That's an 85% success rate in a county where reading scores lag significantly behind the state average.

"We're trying to raise money to support the READ program, and that program is helping kids in our community learn to become better readers," Thompson said. Rotary member Chandler Giddes called it "an unbelievably successful program."

Thompson wanted this festival to stand apart from typical Thomasville music events. Instead of just country and rock, the lineup includes R&B, reggae, and a live DJ set. The diverse genres are already drawing attention from outside Georgia, with pre-registered ticket buyers coming from as far as Tennessee.

The festival starts at 3 p.m. at the Ritz Amphitheater, with perfect weather forecast at 80 degrees and sunny. Families can enjoy the full day knowing every ticket supports local kids learning to read.

"This is going to be a family fun event," Thompson said. "Come out, have a good time, bring the kids, and it's supporting a really, really great cause."

One festival, one community, and 85% of kids already reading better.