Photo Provided

FOLEY — Kiari Booth, a freshman at Foley High School, and Abbey McKee, a freshman at Baldwin County Virtual Secondary School, are two of 25 students selected from across Alabama to participate in the first of its kind RNT+ 5-Day Experience presented by nonprofit organization Reach and Teach. The event will take place at OWA Parks & Resort beginning on Wednesday, June 8.

During the experience, students will work alongside industry professionals to gain valuable experience as they plan and execute the Tunes and Tanlines Music Fest.

The 25 participants will spend five days learning every aspect of event planning and execution. Lessons include stage setup and venue layout, ticketing and sound engineering, giving students hands-on experience, industry insight and essential life skills.
The RNT+ Experience is free to the students. Students were selected through an application process.

Booth is interested in exploring careers in the entertainment industry, such as stage production, artist management, videography and more. McKee applied due to interests in the music industry, including entertainment, hospitality, sound engineering and photography.

"We couldn't be more excited to provide this next-level opportunity for Alabama high school students to explore career paths, develop life skills and build their confidence. I wish this would have been an option when I was in high school," says Reach and Teach Executive Director and Co-Founder April Clark.

When asked about the goal of the program, Kristin Hellmich, OWA director of marketing and public relations, said, "Investment in the entertainment, hospitality, and tourism industries is extremely important to us here at OWA. Through our partnership with Reach and Teach, students will be getting hands-on experience in career paths they might not have had access to otherwise."

The experience ends when the students execute the Tunes and Tanlines Music Fest, happening Saturday, June 11. The concert features Dustin Lynch with Bailey Zimmerman and Ella Langley.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with the concert beginning at 6 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25 with VIP Packages and Premium Parking also available. Tickets can be purchased at VisitOWA.com/tunes-tanlines or at the Tropic Falls Admission window.

A portion of the proceeds from tickets benefit the Reach and Teacher nonprofit. For additional festival information and to purchase tickets, head over to VisitOWA.com.