Emma Ruth Shirey is a singer-songwriter rooted in the Appalachian heartland, born and raised in West Virginia,  and closely connected to her hometown region. Her music draws deeply from folk and traditional Appalachian influences — honest, soulful songs that speak to the land, the people, and stories shaped by both hardship and hope. 

With a warm, earnest voice and acoustic guitar, Emma crafts intimate, heartfelt performances that resonate with listeners seeking authenticity and connection. She’s shared her music through local festivals, community events, and regional gatherings — contributing to the cultural landscape of Princeton and the broader Appalachia — and continues to build a growing catalog of original songs under her own name.

Taran Trea is a singer-songwriter based in Durham, NC. Trea is a Hinton-native with an acoustic sound taking influence from Folk & R&B fueled by a belief that music and art are a conduit for the most important conversations we can have. Find Taran Trea at taran.trea on TikTok & Instagram.

Melissa + McKinney bring a rare, intergenerational magic to the stage—two powerful voices rooted in West Virginia and rising from Asheville’s vibrant musical landscape.

Melissa McKinney writes and sings from the depths of lived experience, crafting songs that speak to trauma, resilience, hope, and the universal journey toward healing. Her commanding vocals and undeniable presence have led her to the finals of the International Blues Competition in Memphis, where she performed on the historic Orpheum Theatre stage. A community-builder at heart, Melissa leads as the frontwoman of Mama & The Ruckus, serves as a resident teaching artist with LEAF Global Arts, co-founded the Women to the Front Music Festival, sits on the AVLFest board, directs The One Voice Project, and runs her own small business—all while using music as a vehicle for joy, justice, and connection.

Her daughter, Kayla McKinney—known professionally as McKinney—is a 25-year-old bass player, singer-  songwriter, and educator whose artistry blends funk, blues rock, R&B/soul, and rock, shaped in part by her jazz studies at UNC Asheville. Raised in her mother’s West Virginia music school, Kayla began performing early and co-founded The Change, an all-girl empowerment band that toured the East Coast spreading messages of mental health awareness and solidarity. After relocating to Asheville in 2018, she quickly became a fixture in the local music scene, mentored by the city’s finest musicians and performing as a resident artist with LEAF Global Arts. She continues to teach bass, guitar, and vocals, and will release her debut solo album—produced by Ted Marks—in 2025.

Together, Melissa + McKinney create a soul-stirring musical experience that spans blues, rock, soul, folk, and raw emotional truth. Their shared energy, harmonies, and deep-rooted connection make each performance unforgettable. For this event, they will be joined by a star-studded lineup of exceptional musicians, forming a powerhouse ensemble for a truly phenomenal night of music.

Fluidity Performance is a talented troupe of circus performers specializing in high-energy, creative fire,

acrobatics and other skilled performances. You will be mezmerzied and captivated by their variety show at The Downtown Countdown! They have performed at numerous festivals, corporate events, theaters and street fairs, and fueled by a passion for movement and performance art. 

fluidityperformanceentertainment.com

Ice Carving with Aaron Costic

Aaron Costic is a world-renowned ice sculptor and the owner of Elegant Ice Creations, a premier studio in Broadview Heights, Ohio, specializing in custom ice sculptures. With over 30 years of experience, he has won international acclaim, including nine first-place finishes at the World Ice Art Championships in Alaska and a gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics Cultural Olympiad in Torino, Italy. His work has been showcased at three Winter Olympics and numerous festivals, cementing his status as a leader in the art of ice sculpting.

Costic's artistry extends beyond competitions, as he organizes events like the Medina Ice Festival in Ohio, where his team creates over 100 sculptures annually. His innovative and ephemeral creations continue to captivate audiences worldwide, inspiring appreciation for the beauty and craftsmanship of ice art.