The 2nd Annual Heart of Midtown: Go All In for Mental Health Music Festival is set to transform Field Court (off Broadway, across from UPAC) in Kingston, NY, into a vibrant hub of community, music, and mental health awareness. This Saturday from 12-8pm, attendees will experience a day dedicated to fostering mental well-being through a rich array of activities and resources designed to support and uplift everyone who participates.
Karlie Flood, founder of the festival, explains the heartfelt motivation behind the event: “Heart of Midtown is a part of our Go All In for Mental Health campaign in loving memory of my 19-year-old sister Cassidy, who lost her mental health battle in 2020.” Since opening Rewind Kingston, her family’s thrift-vintage-bookstore in 2021, Flood has poured her energy into creating positive change. “We’ve done three community cold plunges in Cassidy’s memory and raised over $30,000 for organizations like United We Om and The Maya Gold Foundation. This festival is our dream event, filled with everything that helps our mental health.”
The festival promises a day packed with activities aimed at promoting mental health in creative and engaging ways. “We believe it’s critical to create a supportive community for our young people, to let them know they are not alone in their struggle,” Flood emphasizes. Attendees can expect live performances from talented musicians, including headliner Ginger Winn, alongside a comedian and a poet. Workshops will range from art and writing sessions to pickleball demos, gaming with World’s End, and bouquet-making with Adelaar Farms. For those looking for more hands-on activities, there’s screen printing, flash tattoos, and even a dunk booth raising money for local causes.
In addition to the fun, the festival will serve as a vital resource for mental health support. “Last year, we had over 30 mental health nonprofits and organizations table with resources,” says Flood. “This year will be no different, with groups like The Maya Gold Foundation and People USA providing crucial information about mental health programs available locally.” The festival also features a variety of workshops, such as “Draw Your Feelings” with artist Dana Variano and a music box workshop led by Christiana Fortune-Reader, which invite participants to explore their emotions creatively. At interior design studio Brookelane, a personal development and organization session will be held.
Attendees will be treated to free self-care kits, including tote bags, journals, and mental health resources, with the first 300 people receiving these thoughtful giveaways. “We basically made our dream festival with everything that helps our mental health,” says Flood. The event is supported by local businesses like Radio Kingston, Herzog’s True Value Home Center, and Kingston Plaza, who have come together to sponsor this important community initiative.
Flood’s message is clear: “This festival is about more than just having fun; it’s about creating connections, raising awareness, and offering support. We want everyone to know that they are not alone and that help is available before a crisis hits.”
Visit rewindkingston.com/heart-of-midtown for all the details.
Join the family! 
