Handbell Festival rings in holiday season

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – For 27 years the Thursday Music Club’s Handbell Festival has helped ring in the holiday season.

Six local handbell groups performed at Grace United Methodist Church. Jim McLaughlin is the only person who has been there for all 27 years. McLaughlin said handbells have come a long way in that time.

“Before 30 years ago handbells we’re just used as practice instruments for carillons. Now in the United States its become a performance instrument,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin said people come from surrounding states for their concert. Sunday was the first day that all six handbell groups got a chance to practice before they all performed together.

“All these groups came together today and we’ve been practicing all afternoon. And now we’re ready to do it in one night,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin and the Thursday Music Club will now getting ready for the 2017 concert.