The creative talent residing in Indian Head Acres was on full display Saturday as colors, music, art and friendliness filled the neighborhood for the
first Nene Fest. Organizers said the festival, held in Indian Head Acres Park, was the creation of a group of people who wanted to celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. “It’s a synergistic and synchronistic festival, and we all decided that we were going to do it,” said Mike Odom, who’s lived in Indian Head for five years. “There are great neighborhoods that do similar things. This is a tad different in that it really was a neighborhood effort.” There was the chorus teacher who taught children how to make their own drums, the artist who designed the colorful T-shirts, kitchen wizards who brought homemade food to sell and musicians with ties to the neighborhood to set a cool atmosphere — even though the temperature was pushing 90 degrees. “This is an opportunity for them to show off their talents, but also include other people,” said resident Connie Bersok, who was selling the orange and blue T-shirts that commemorated the festival. “That’s why we had the interactive events.” Bersok has lived within walking distance of the park for nearly 20 years. She said that as the years have gone by, the park has improved dramatically and the trees that were planted by members of the neighborhood association have grown into towering producers of shade. Bersok and Odom said the neighborhood has always been tight-knit. Whether it’s the monthly potluck held on the second Sunday, or the Halloween Party or the spring yard sale, Bersok said the camaraderie among neighbors is unique.
Indian Head Acres resident Charity Wood designed the raccoons, circular shapes and other motifs that appeared on the T-shirts many wore at the festival. Wood, an exhibit designer at the Museum of Florida History, said there are about 10 artists in the neighborhood.