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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The F.M. Kirby Center served up a trifecta of Northeastern Pennsylvania&#8217;s finest offerings in dining, art and music Saturday as it ushered in the third-annual Kirby Fest.</p><p>The sold-out event brought in roughly 500 guests eager to sample more than 35 vendors offering everything from fine wine and craft beer as they viewed pieces of art, listened to live music and more.</p><p>The event acts as a fundraiser for some of the center&#8217;s youth programming, according to director of development Lauren Pluskey-McLain.</p><p>&#8220;We wanted something fun and something casual that people could come to,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I can&#8217;t say anything other than it&#8217;s amazing to have such a supportive community.&#8221;</p><p>The Kirby Center provides a young people&#8217;s theater series during the school year. It brings in touring performances to educate area youth in topics that range from science and math to dance and music, inviting area schools to participate free of charge.</p><p>As patrons were sampling wine and entrees in the lobby, others were skimming the stage. Several photos from local photographers were on display, along with a silent auction that featured dozens of autographed posters from past Kirby performers.</p><p>Downstairs provided a more relaxed atmosphere, leaving guests to grab a seat and listen to live music or even enjoy some live art demonstrations.</p><p>Several pieces of art were on hand for viewing, including pieces from the Social Fabric Collective. The organization provides high school students with photography equipment to not only teach a skill, but bring out inspiration and diversity in area youth.</p><p>The teens did just that, allowing viewers a glimpse into their lives through photos of everything from a Donald Trump rally to a grandmother holding her grandchild for the first time.</p><p>For Jordan Semar, Kirby Fest was a way to show off his concept for Wilkes-Barre City.</p><p>Has created several pieces aiming to show residents how the entire city could be transformed with street art. The Wilkes-Barre resident said the concept has incited real conversations about the possibility to bringing street art to parts of the city.</p><p>&#8220;The whole concept of mine is taking an empty city &#8212; just all of the empty buildings and open areas &#8212; for art,&#8221; he explained.</p><p>The event was an overall success for Pluskey-McLain, who was not only thankful for all who came out and sponsored Kirby Fest, but for the entire downtown community that has helped each other thrive.</p><p>&#8220;We also did an economic impact study of the Kirby recently, and we found that the Kirby Center impacts the local community by $10 million every year,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It&#8217;s so nice to see that our local community is now helping us as well.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Paul Rodella, right, and Andrew Potsko perform during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Paul Rodella, right, and Andrew Potsko perform during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Tracy Sauchak, of Hanover Township, looks over photographs from Boote Studio during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Tracy Sauchak, of Hanover Township, looks over photographs from Boote Studio during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </caption1><photoCredit1>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dozens of people sample food and drink in the lobby of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre during the third annual Kirby Fest on Saturday evening. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_5.jpg</photo2><caption2>Dozens of people sample food and drink in the lobby of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre during the third annual Kirby Fest on Saturday evening. </caption2><photoCredit2>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Susan Hritzak, of Forty Fort, left, takes a sample of wine from Annie Vinatieri of Honey Hole Winery during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_4.jpg</photo3><caption3>Susan Hritzak, of Forty Fort, left, takes a sample of wine from Annie Vinatieri of Honey Hole Winery during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </caption3><photoCredit3>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Artist Alan McLaughlin works on a piece during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042819KirbyFest_1.jpg</photo4><caption4>Artist Alan McLaughlin works on a piece during the third annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday evening. </caption4><photoCredit4>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit4></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Marcella Kester</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div>

Sold-out Kirby Fest offers fun for a cause